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).
You may also be interested in…
![Tokyo Paralympic dressage schedule](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/Natasha-Baker-920x518.jpg)
Tokyo Paralympic dressage schedule: your essential one-stop snapshot guide to what’s happening when at the Games
![How to watch Tokyo Paralympic dressage](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/Lee-Pearson-920x518.jpg)
How to watch Paralympic dressage live from Tokyo: Channel 4 confirms coverage of equestrian competition
![Lee Pearson and Breezer winning gold in the Paralympic dressage in Tokyo](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/GettyImages-1336448359-920x518.jpg)
Lee Pearson claims eighth individual Paralympic title as Paralympic first-timer Georgia Wilson scoops bronze
![Sophie Wells GBR riding Don Cara M competing in the Equestrian Individual Test Grade V at the Equestrian Park. Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Tokyo, Japan, Thursday 26 August 2021. Photo: OIS/Joe Toth. Handout image supplied by OIS/IOC](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/Sophie-Wells-1801602-920x518.jpg)
Sophie Wells secures a fabulous individual silver medal for Britain at Paralympics
![](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/05/generic-subs-images-NEW-920x518.jpg)
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all summer long
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.