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VERSAILLES, France — Rebecca Hart sat quietly at the end of the Chateau de Versailles, taking in the para-equestrian venue with the historic backdrop. As the five-time Paralympian readied for her event, she wanted to make sure she wouldn’t lose focus in the grand arena. 

Hart’s experience after was much different. 

She knew she would have to set a personal best to take home a gold medal after seeing the scores before her. So when she heard her score and looked up at the grandstand, she couldn’t contain the emotion. 

Hart sobbed the entire trip out of the venue after learning she had won gold: 16 years of pent-up emotions. It is a dream turned into reality, culminating on a rainy Wednesday morning with a final score of 77.900 in the para-equestrian individual event grade III.

“I couldn't have imagined a better scenario,” Hart said. “I took in the moment, but it also still feels surreal.”

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Alongside Hart was her horse, Floratina. The 16-year-old mare was a professional able-bodied equestrian horse until a year ago when Hart began riding her. From day one, the two have been partners. 

There was still some growing to do for the horse. As Hart put it, Floratina asked questions about how to learn to ride with a para athlete. Hart offered answers, and it has turned into a successful relationship. 

Just like her rider, Floratina had no issue with the venue after taking the early training sessions to get accustomed to the massive competition area. There were few adjustments with the less-than-ideal surface and rain, as well — Floratina just knew it was her job to perform. 

“She is so smart,” Hart said. “She is so smart and she fights for you out there. She wants and she enjoys the atmosphere. She enjoys the competitions. She's a queen and she knows it.”

Since fighting for a bronze medal in Tokyo in the team event, it has been about both team and individual development for Hart.  Building off of that 2021 performance was important for her, and that is what she did. 

She improved and now owns the gold medal in the para-equestrian individual event grade III — the classification for those with reasonable balance and abdominal control. 

“We've put in so much work and to have it actually come together in the moment, in the rain on the day that we needed it to, was surreal,” Hart said.

Fiona Howard goes gold in Paralympic debut 

Fiona Howard has only been with her horse, Diamond Dunes, since March. The Paralympics is by far the largest environment that Howard has taken her relatively new horse. 

The mutual trust between the new Paralympian and the new horse made for a gold medal performance in the individual event grade II. 

“I just really went in there and was like, ‘I trust you,’ and he was like, ‘Don't worry, I've got you,’” Howard said. “He gave me confidence throughout the whole test and I couldn't have asked for a better partner to do my first Paralympic games on.”

Howard — originally born in Great Britain to an American mother and English father — joins a veteran US para-equestrian team. Leaning on her teammates' experiences is something that has made the debut easier. 

Howard couldn’t hide her smile while riding out the venue. 

“It's such a beautiful venue and all the people have been so great,” Howard said. “It's just been surreal.”

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