Latest from Horse & Hound in Roxanne-trunnell

H&H’s para horse of the day: the six-year-old stallion his first championship – ‘He’s an old soul’

Polly Bryan — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 23:03:25 +0000

Roxanne Trunnell had good reason to be nervous coming into today’s grade I individual competition at the Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships. The USA rider, who scooped Paralympic gold last year with Dolton, brought forward a new ride here: the six-year-old Floriscount x Rascalino stallion Fortunato H20, whom she has been riding for just two months.

This young stallion may only have one international show under his belt so far, but he behaved like a total pro in the buzzy BB Horse Arena this afternoon, his coat glinting deep copper in the Danish summer sun as he and Roxanne cruised to score of 72.57% for sixth in the World Para Dressage Championships results.

Fortunato is a compact chap with a high quality walk, and Roxanne rides him quietly, using her experience to expertly ease him through the complicated walk programme. Roxanne came to gain the ride on him via her USA teammate Kate Shoemaker, whose trainer Lehua Custer owns Fortunato.

Roxanne’s top horse Dolton is enjoying some downtime this year, ahead of targeting the Paris Paralympics, so it was Fortunato’s time to step up and he duly responded.

“He was a bit scared of the judge’s boxes, but he really tried,” said Roxanne, explaining that while Fortunato is something of an “old soul” to ride, he can be babyish and “goofy” in the stable at home.

“He thinks about things a lot, but at home he is very much a baby – he’s goofy and always wants to play,” she said.

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Rider sets new Paralympic record score as she claims last equestrian gold of the Tokyo Games

Pippa Roome — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 14:53:12 +0000

US rider Roxanne Trunnell set a new Paralympics dressage record score today when she claimed the gold in the grade I freestyle at the Tokyo Games.

Riding nine-year-old black gelding Dolton, Roxanne scored four 10s – and only received two scores below eight – on the way to a final mark of 86.927%.

“It felt brilliant, good with the music the whole time,” said Roxanne, adding that she has had a great overall experience in Tokyo. “Everyone’s so happy and friendly, which makes everyone in the barn, happy – it’s just fun.”

Roxanne has ridden all her life and aspired to be an Olympian in able-bodied dressage, earning the United States Dressage Federation bronze medal before contracting a virus in 2009 that changed her life. The virus caused swelling on the brain, put her in a coma and resulted in her requiring a wheelchair.

The medallists in this Paralympics dressage freestyle were the same as in the individual test earlier in the Games, with Latvia’s Rihards Snikus (King Of The Dance) in silver on 82.087%. These are Rihards’ first Paralympic medals after top-six finishes at London 2012 and Rio 2016. The rider, who has cerebral palsy, is also a DJ.

Italy’s Sara Morganti took the bronze on Royal Delight with a mark of 81.1%, with her two medals here giving huge joy after Royal Delight failed the first trot-up at Rio 2016.

She said: “I’m in bad shape physically and when I go back to Italy, I have to have treatment. But I wanted so much to come here. I’ve been working so much, especially after what happened in 2016 – I wanted to do something that would cancel that forever.”

Sara rode to music from the Disney film Raya and the Last Dragon, which has special meaning for her with its themes of good and evil.

The para dressage in Tokyo is now complete, after five fantastic days of sport.

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(Image credit: FEI/Liz Gregg)

Lee Pearson wins third gold medal of the Tokyo Paralympics: ‘Breezer was like a baby lion in there’

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Natasha Baker takes Paralympic freestyle silver: ‘She was so tired today – to come out with silver is beyond belief’

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Sophie Wells fourth in Paralympic freestyle: ‘I can’t be disappointed – he’s been amazing this week’

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Dutch rider lands first Paralympic dressage freestyle gold, while comeback rider upsets form for silver

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Final US rider puts team on target to take medal – can Britain hold on to gold?

Martha Terry — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 10:31:48 +0000

Grade IV rider Kate Shoemaker consolidated the US team’s bid for a place on the podium at the Tokyo Paralympics dressage. They are currently in silver behind Team GB after three riders have gone for both countries. Kate rode the 14-year-old Solitaer 40 (Sandro Hit x De Niro) to score 71.9% at the start of the final rider rotation.

“That might be the best test he’s ever done,” said Kate. “I’m so, so happy. There were little bobbles here and there, but I was so happy with the overall way of going. But I am a little disappointed in the score.”

Kate had changed tack from her individual test earlier in the week.

“We had tried for a more elastic, forward-moving test the first night, but the judges said ‘no’, so I went for more collection, balance and correctness today, and I think we showed the potential we have,” she said. “It’s a tough spot going first in the class – we just have to sit and wait now because it’s going to be extremely tight.”

Kate’s compatriot, world number one Roxanne Trunnell had already posted yesterday’s (28 August) top score of 80.321%, riding Dolton, to put the US in a strong position.

Paralympics dressage: Britain leads the way in the hunt for medals

Great Britain currently leads the team standings for those nations which have completed with all three riders on 229.905. Sophie Wells produced a quality test on Don Cara M at the end of the Grade V section to score 75.651% and consolidate Lee Pearson and Natasha Baker’s great efforts on the first day of the team competition (28 August).

The US is now in second, with Italy third on 214.057, but the Netherlands is lying in wait and expected to overtake during the final rider rotation. Their final rider Sanne Voets would need to produce a personal best with Demantur to take team gold, but it is well within the realms of possibility.

Denmark is also putting in a bold bid thanks to Tobias Jørgensen’s superb mark of 79.559%, but their final rider Susanne Jensby Sunesen will need to score a colossal personal best of 77.11% to put the country in contention for gold.

British medal joy, a young star shines and gold for world number one: six of the best moments from Tokyo para dressage day two

Lucy Elder — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:28:10 +0000

Action continued apace in the Equestrian Park at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a gold medal-winning debut, the Brits continuing their run of blistering form, plus huge scores in the grade I. Find out what happened on day two of dressage at the Games...

The Brits’ run of fantastic form at the Tokyo Paralympics continued, with Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus’ grade III individual silver

Read why Tokyo took Natasha straight back to memories of London 2012

A 21-year-old Paralympic first-timer thew down a massive score to take home gold on his Games debut aboard his sassy mare

Find out more about how the Danish rider and his relationship with his special horse

World number one US grade I rider Roxanne Trunnell posted the highest score of the Games so far to bag individual gold

Hear what Roxanne had to say about dealing with pressure coming into the Games

H&H’s horse of the day is the wonderful Dr Doolitte, who is enjoying his competition swansong in Tokyo

Read more about this wonderful horse and his achievements over the years

Roxanne Trunnell wins impressive individual gold in Tokyo with ‘goofy’ young horse

Polly Bryan — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:22:46 +0000

The USA’s Roxanne Trunnell has held on to her early lead to claim the gold medal in the grade I individual Paralympic dressage at the Tokyo Games.

Roxanne’s brilliant score of 81.46% could not be surpassed, and she has been crowned the grade I individual Paralympic champion with the nine-year-old Danone I x Londonderry gelding Dolton. Her victory makes her the first USA rider to win an individual gold medal in Paralympic dressage since 1996, and just the second woman ever to win a dressage gold medal for the USA across both Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This is Roxanne’s first Paralympics with Dolton – and her first championship gold medal. She and Dolton won freestyle bronze at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon in 2018, which was their first senior championship together, and they have gone from strength to strength, only being beaten once in international competition since WEG and breaking world records along the way.

“I felt like he was really with me; he was a really good boy. It surprised me how calm he has been,” said Roxanne. “Dolton is a very goofy young horse. He is temperamental, but he is also easy to get along with.

“I didn’t really think about the pressure [of being the favourite] – it’s all noise to me. It’s just about me and Dolton, doing our own thing.”

Taking silver was the first rider into the arena on this second day of Paralympic dressage, Latvia’s Rihards Snikus riding King Of The Dance. He set an incredible standard, posting 80.18%, but was just pipped by Roxanne, who competed shortly afterwards. This is three-time Paralympian Rihards’ first medal at a Games, having finished within the top six at both London 2012 and Rio 2016, but never having quite made it on to the podium until now.

The bronze medal went to Italy’s Sara Morganti and the Royaldik mare she has partnered for a long time, Royal Delight, on 76.96%. This is also a first podium finish at a Paralympics for the very experienced Sara, who is already the reigning world champion with this horse, and has also won many European championship medals.

“The horse was very cooperative and I think I did everything I can,” said Sara. “I have had some difficulties and I didn’t know if I would make it here. Everything is a victory at the moment, just to be here with my horse.”

It was a hugely competitive class, with several combinations having the potentially to reach the podium and even win gold, but Rihards described it as being very good for the sport, saying he had been “ready to fight” for a medal in the strong grade I field.

The next and final individual class is for grade III riders, and features Britain’s Natasha Baker as one of the favourites for a medal with Keystone Dawn Chorus. Natasha will take to the arena at 8.36pm (12.36pm UK time) with Joanna Jenson, Christian Landolt and her family’s 10-year-old Dimaggio mare.

Check out the full list of Paralympic dressage results in Tokyo so far.

Grade I favourite Roxanne Trunnell sets golden standard early on day two of Paralympic dressage in Tokyo

Polly Bryan — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:05:29 +0000

The second day of Paralympic dressage is underway, and the USA’s Roxanne Trunnell has taken up the provisional gold medal position early in the individual grade I competition.

Roxanne arrived at the Tokyo Games as the favourite for gold, having broken multiple world records in the past year with the nine-year-old Danone I x Londonderry gelding Dolton. While they could not quite reach their best score to date in this test, which is over 83%, they took the lead with a very impressive 81.46%.

Their test was fluent, rhythmic and graceful, with a jaw-droppingly square halt across the centre line pulling in big marks. Their test sheet was covered in eights, with nines for Dolton’s beautiful paces and Roxanne’s subtle, skilful riding.

“I felt like he was really with me; he was a really good boy. It surprised me how calm he has been,” said Paralympic dressage debutante Roxanne, who won freestyle bronze with this horse at the 2018 World Equestrian Games on home soil – her first international championship medal.

“I don’t really think about the pressure [of being the favourite] – it’s all noise to me. It’s just about me and Dolton, doing our own thing.”

The bar had already been set very high in this extremely competitive grade, with the first rider into the arena, Latvia’s Rihards Snikus, producing a super performance on the 13-year-old King Of The Dance. They posted a chunky 80.18%, but dropped into the silver medal position after Roxanne’s test.

Currently holding bronze at this early stage is the reigning world champion, Italy’s Sara Morganti riding her long-time partner, the 16-year-old Royaldik mare Royal Delight, with 76.96%.

Britain does not have any riders competing in grade I, but Natasha Baker will be in action in the grade III individual later today, riding Keystone Dawn Chorus at 8.36pm (12.36pm UK time).

‘We have a strong, competitive group’: US para dressage squad revealed for Tokyo Paralympics

Lucy Elder — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 13:17:39 +0000

The four dressage riders carrying US hopes at the Tokyo Paralympic Games have been announced.

The riders selected for the US squad are:

Beatrice de Lavalette, with Elizabeth and Nicolas de Lavalette’s 14-year-old gelding Clarc
Rebecca Hart, with Rowan O’Riley’s 12-year-old gelding El Corona Texel (direct reserve, Fortune 500, an 11-year-old gelding also owned by Rowan O’Riley)
Kate Shoemaker, with her own and Craig and Deena Shoemaker’s 14-year-old stallion Solitaer 40
Roxanne Trunnell, with Flintwoode Farms LLC and Karin Flint’s nine-year-old gelding Dolton

Alternates:

Sydney Collier, with Georgina Bloomberg’s 12-year-old gelding All In One
Charlotte Merle-Smith, with her own 10-year-old mare Guata

Chef d’equipe Michel Assouline and team leader Laureen Johnson will lead the side in Tokyo (26-30 August).

“Selectors had a difficult task to choose four athletes to represent the US at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, as we had a lot of talented athletes all gathering score averages over 70% for the past six months,” said Michel.

“I really believe they have chosen a good squad and I very much look forward to the journey to Tokyo.

“We will be facing fierce competition as several top European teams have done extremely well recently at international competitions, but we have done too. We have a strong, competitive group, and I look forward to our tactical preparations leading up to Tokyo.”

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The three combinations who will represent the US in the team medal competition will be determined after the completion of the individual tests, on 27 August.

The Tokyo Paralympic format means all riders will compete for individual medals, which is the opening para dressage competition of the Games. After this, teams of three – selected by each nation’s chef d’equipe – contest the team test, on which the team medals are decided. The final medal-winning opportunity for riders is the freestyle, which involves the top eight combinations in each grade. The para dressage classes run from 26 to 30 August.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘A celebration of resilience’: dates for 2021 Olympics and Paralympics confirmed

Polly Bryan — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 15:13:29 +0000

The dates for the postponed Tokyo Olympics have been confirmed, with the Games set to go ahead from 23 July to 8 August 2021 — exactly a year later than originally scheduled.

The Tokyo Paralympics will also run on the equivalent dates: 24 August to 5 September 2021. This is the first time in the history of the Olympics and Paralympics that the Games have been postponed, owing to the worldwide coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The new dates have been agreed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan government and the government of Japan, and are designed to give all those involved in organising the Games, as well as health authorities, as much time as possible to deal with the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

They have also been chosen to minimise disruption to the international sporting calendar and to provide enough time for qualification processes to be completed.

“With this announcement, I am confident that, working together with the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan government, the Japanese government and all our stakeholders, we can master this unprecedented challenge.

“Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be a light at the end of this tunnel,” said IOC president Thomas Bach.

The IPC president, Andrew Parsons, added: “The new dates provide certainty for the athletes, reassurance for the stakeholders and something to look forward to for the whole world. When the Paralympic Games do take place in Tokyo next year, they will be an extra-special display of humanity uniting as one, a global celebration of human resilience and a sensational showcase of sport.”

British dressage Olympian Carl Hester, who had been aiming for Tokyo with his 2018 World Equestrian Games bronze medallist Hawtins Delicato, welcomed the new confirmed dates.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tokyo Olympics postponed to 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic

The Tokyo Olympics this summer have been postponed by a year due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, with multiple implications

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“I think it’s ideal that the Games will go ahead on the equivalent dates next year — it will work well with all the plans that would have gone into preparing for this year,” he told H&H. “We will still have challenges with the travel, and the heat and humidity in Japan at that time of year, but we knew about these things already and have been preparing for it.”

The confirmation of rescheduled dates has come sooner than expected by many. It was just one week ago that Mr Bach and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed that the 2020 Games “must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community”.

It has not been confirmed what impact this date change will have on the 2021 European Championships. The dressage, para dressage, showjumping, driving and vaulting Europeans were due to take place in Budapest, Hungary, on 23-29 August 2021, while the eventing Europeans were scheduled for 11-15 August 2021 in Haras du Pin, France.

FEI president Ingmar de Vos said: “Of course there will be an impact on the international calendar across all sports, and from an FEI perspective this includes four major European Championships, but we are already looking at ways we can minimise that impact.

“The remit for our discipline-specific task forces that are evaluating the impact of Covid-19 on the 2020 calendar has now been expanded to cover 2021. Now we have confirmed dates for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we need to explore possible alternatives for a number of major FEI events, notably the European Championships in jumping, dressage and para dressage in Budapest, and the European Eventing Championships in Haras du Pin, France. This process will be started immediately.

“We need to also look at deadlines for obtaining minimum eligibility requirements and extending the deadline for registration of ownership for Olympic horses and will announce those as soon as possible, but we have had confirmation from both the IOC and IPC that national Olympic and Paralympic Committees which have been allocated Olympic or Paralympic quota places will retain them despite the postponement of the Games to next year.”

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Sophie Christiansen: WEG para dressage — this should be a wake-up call H&H VIP

Horse & Hound — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:00:41 +0000

Opinion

I rushed back from work to watch Sophie Wells fight for her individual grade V title online at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon. To be able to watch world-class para dressage live is a dream.

Across all grades, from a walk-only test to the advanced movements of the grade V, the overall picture needs to be harmonious. A para judge will forgive lack of expression and power if it makes them smile.

It was easy to forget that Natasha Baker has only had the ride on Diva for 8 months. I’m excited to see what the future holds with the partnership, as test riding and experience will easily tidy up the places where she can gain marks. The spook in the freestyle was really unfortunate and reminds us that we are working with living animals and nothing can be taken for granted.

I really hope that Natasha has started something new for British para riders by teaming up with Mount St John’s Stud.

Horsepower has shot up massively and we can no longer afford to buy the calibre of horse required to defend our titles. We need to bring in owners and breeders to the sport, and think about how we fundraise.

Erin Orford also did amazingly, considering the wrong freestyle music was played. I’m not sure I would have been so cool and collected!

It takes quite a lot to impress me, but Denmark’s Stinna Tange Kaastrup always does. To do leg-yield with no legs is quite something. Talented and articulate, she is a brilliant ambassador for para dressage. I remember her bursting onto the scene at Kentucky in 2010, where she won silver. She is now world champion.

Interesting judging

There were 17 riders in the grade I, which was great, though I predicted the top three beforehand. Italy’s Sara Morganti on the faithful Royal Delight was consistent and correct, meaning the judges couldn’t give her anything below a seven. Laurentia Tan and Elke Philipp’s horses have more impressive walks, but as the movement gets bigger, it is more difficult for us as the most disabled athletes to keep the consistency.

The judging was interesting in the grade I — the top four competitors were ranked from first to eighth across the five judges.

The judges need to collectively decide what they are looking for in a walk test, which it appears they did for the rest of the week. But it also begs the question whether we should drop the highest and lowest score when we have five judges.

This would have meant that the USA’s Roxanne Trunnell, who came fifth, would have won individual bronze to add to her freestyle medal.

Finding Horsepower

The Brits did remarkably well to hold on to the silver medal. When Rixt van der Horst and Sanne Voets won the individual titles in grades III and IV, and with Frank Hosmar not far behind Sophie, I did think it was going to be tight.

The Dutch have been knocking at the door since 2015 and with new combinations on our team this year, it was a tough ask to hold on to our undefeated record.

But this should be the wake-up call we need to keep on pushing for those marginal gains, and we need the help of the public in finding and financing horsepower for the talent we have in this country. The squad has gone through change recently and it will take time to build up experience.

With two years until Tokyo we have work to do, but I’m ready for it!

Ref Horse & Hound; 27 September 2018

World Equestrian Games 2018 para dressage riders, squads and teams

Horse & Hound — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 09:45:40 +0000

Details of the horses and riders who have been selected for long-lists, short-lists and confirmed para dressage squads at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina (11-25 September 2018) will be added to this page as they become available.

Teams are made up of a maximum of four riders per nation. Teams must include at least one grade I, II or grade III rider and cannot include more than three riders in any one grade.

Great Britain

Sophie Wells on C Fatal Attraction (gr V)
Lee Pearson on Styletta (gr II)
Erin Orford on Dior (gr III)
Natasha Baker on Mount St John Diva Dannebrog (gr III)

Germany

Steffen Zeibig on Feel Good
Elke Phillipp on Regaliz
Angelika Trabert on Diamonds Shine
Regine Mispelkamp on Look At Me Now

The Netherlands

Sanne Voets on Demantur
Rixt Van Der Horst on Findsley
Nicole Den Dulk on Wallace NOP
Frank Hosmar on Alphaville NOP

Denmark

Line Munk Madsen on Hønnerups Beebob
Stinna Tange Kaastrup on Horsebo Smarties
Tobias Thorning Jørgensen on Bruunholm Caribian
Susanne Jensby Sunesen on CSK’s Que Faire

USA

Rebecca Hart on El Corona Texel
Angela Peavy on Royal Dark Chocolate
Kate Shoemaker on Solitaer 40
Roxanne Trunnell on Dolton

Brazil

Marcos Fernandes Alves on Vladimir
Sergio De Oliva on Coco Chanel M
Vera Lucia Martins Mazzilli on Ballantine
Rodolpho Riskalla on Don Henrico

Portugal

Sara Oliveira Duarte with Daxx Du Hans
José Augusto Neves with Vendetto C
Inês Teixeira with Giraldo Sernadinha
Ana Isabel Mota Veiga with Convicto

Japan

Sho Inaba with Femme Fatale
Tomoko Nakamura with Djazz F
Katsuji Takshima with Emora C VD Wijdewormer
Soshi Yoshigoe with Brown Sugar

Italy

Federico Lunghi with Laudario
Sara Morganti with Royal Delight
Francesca Salverde with Muggel 4
Maurilio Vaccaro with Bonaire Van De Mottelhoeve

Belgium

Manon Claeys with San Dior 2
Barbara Minneci with Stuart
Eveline van Looveren with Feleva
Ciska Vermeulen with Rohmeo

Canada

Lauren Barwick with Engelbrecht
Winona Hartvikson with Ultimo
Jody Schloss with Lieutenant Lobin
Roberta Sheffield with Bailaor

France

Estelle Guillet with Magic Des Meuyrattes
Jose Letartre with Swing Royal ‘Ene HN’
Cloe Mislin with Don Caruso
Vladimir Vinchon with Tarantino Fleuri

Hong Kong

Fleur Schrader with Jockey Club Sarago Raphael
Tin Chi Timothy Tsang with Jockey Club Cethegus M
Pui Ting Natasha Tse with Baxo

Finland

Katja Karjalainen with Dr Doolittle
Jaana Kivimäki with Legolas
Pia-Pauliina Reitti with Supremo

Austria

Pepo Puch with Sailor’s Blue
Julia Sciancalepore with Heinrich IV

Australia

Emma Booth with Mogelvangs Zidane

Czech Republic

Anastasja Vistalova with Dominique

US Virgin Islands

Lee Frawley with P’S Panta Leone

Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Sharbatly with Cassandra

Latvia

Rihards Snikus with King Of The Dance

Mexico

Ignacio Treviño Fuerte with Batik

Singapore

Laurentia Yen-Yi Tan with Fuerst Sherlock

Sweden

Louise Etzner Jakobsson with Zernard

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Horse & Hound will have reporters working at the Tryon venue throughout the Games keeping our readers up to date with the latest news throughout the competition.

Latest from Horse & Hound in Roxanne-trunnell

H&H’s para horse of the day: the six-year-old stallion his first championship – ‘He’s an old soul’

Fortunato is a compact chap with a high quality walk, and Roxanne rides him quietly, using her experience to expertly ease him through the complicated walk programme. Roxanne came to gain the ride on him via her USA teammate Kate Shoemaker, whose trainer Lehua Custer owns Fortunato.

Roxanne’s top horse Dolton is enjoying some downtime this year, ahead of targeting the Paris Paralympics, so it was Fortunato’s time to step up and he duly responded.

“He was a bit scared of the judge’s boxes, but he really tried,” said Roxanne, explaining that while Fortunato is something of an “old soul” to ride, he can be babyish and “goofy” in the stable at home.

“He thinks about things a lot, but at home he is very much a baby – he’s goofy and always wants to play,” she said.

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“It felt brilliant, good with the music the whole time,” said Roxanne, adding that she has had a great overall experience in Tokyo. “Everyone’s so happy and friendly, which makes everyone in the barn, happy – it’s just fun.”

Italy’s Sara Morganti took the bronze on Royal Delight with a mark of 81.1%, with her two medals here giving huge joy after Royal Delight failed the first trot-up at Rio 2016.

She said: “I’m in bad shape physically and when I go back to Italy, I have to have treatment. But I wanted so much to come here. I’ve been working so much, especially after what happened in 2016 – I wanted to do something that would cancel that forever.”

Sara rode to music from the Disney film Raya and the Last Dragon, which has special meaning for her with its themes of good and evil.

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Paralympics dressage: Britain leads the way in the hunt for medals

The US is now in second, with Italy third on 214.057, but the Netherlands is lying in wait and expected to overtake during the final rider rotation. Their final rider Sanne Voets would need to produce a personal best with Demantur to take team gold, but it is well within the realms of possibility.

Denmark is also putting in a bold bid thanks to Tobias Jørgensen’s superb mark of 79.559%, but their final rider Susanne Jensby Sunesen will need to score a colossal personal best of 77.11% to put the country in contention for gold.

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British medal joy, a young star shines and gold for world number one: six of the best moments from Tokyo para dressage day two

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Roxanne Trunnell wins impressive individual gold in Tokyo with ‘goofy’ young horse

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Grade I favourite Roxanne Trunnell sets golden standard early on day two of Paralympic dressage in Tokyo

Their test was fluent, rhythmic and graceful, with a jaw-droppingly square halt across the centre line pulling in big marks. Their test sheet was covered in eights, with nines for Dolton’s beautiful paces and Roxanne’s subtle, skilful riding.

“I felt like he was really with me; he was a really good boy. It surprised me how calm he has been,” said Paralympic dressage debutante Roxanne, who won freestyle bronze with this horse at the 2018 World Equestrian Games on home soil – her first international championship medal.

“I don’t really think about the pressure [of being the favourite] – it’s all noise to me. It’s just about me and Dolton, doing our own thing.”

Currently holding bronze at this early stage is the reigning world champion, Italy’s Sara Morganti riding her long-time partner, the 16-year-old Royaldik mare Royal Delight, with 76.96%.

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