Trunnel rides her way to Team USA's first Para-equestrian gold in 25 years

Tokyo, Japan - Team USA has another gold to add to its medal count at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics thanks to Para-equestrian Roxanne Trunnel.

Roxanne Trunnel is the first US Para-equestrian to win a gold medal in the sport in 25 years.
Roxanne Trunnel is the first US Para-equestrian to win a gold medal in the sport in 25 years.  © Twitter/@ParaRiderRoxie

On Friday, the number one ranked Para-equestrian in the world Roxanne Trunnel (36) and her horse Dolton finished the day with a gold medal, marking the first time in 25 years that an American Para-equestrian has won the title.

In the individual test Grade I event, Trunnell and Dolton scored 81.464% for the top spot.

Latvian rider Rihards Snikus on King of the Dance earned the silver with a score of 80.179%, while Italian Sara Morganti won bronze by scoring 76.964% on Royal Delight.

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Trunnel has been riding horses throughout much of her life and began riding as a Paralympian in 2016. At the 2016 Rio Summer Games, she finished in tenth place.

Since then, she’s improved to become the first American to earn a top Para-equestrian ranking.

"Look out Paralympic riders, here comes the USA," Trunnel wrote as she shared photos with her horse Dolton on Instagram.
"Look out Paralympic riders, here comes the USA," Trunnel wrote as she shared photos with her horse Dolton on Instagram.  © Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/pararoxie

The last time Team USA won Para-equestrian gold was in 1996, when Vicki Sweigart took home two golds at the debut of the sport in the Paralympic games.

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/pararoxie

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