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AUSTRALIAN equestrian great and dual Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton has died after a battle with cancer at the age of 61.
She died at 3:30pm on Saturday right after the cross country finished at the Adelaide International 3 Day Event of which she has been event director.

Gillian was one of the most distinguished equestrian riders Australia has ever produced after winning Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996 — both times on her horse Peppermint Grove.

She achieved hero status in Atlanta when she fell during competition and broke her collarbone and ribs but got up and completed the course to help Australia to back-to-back Olympic gold medals in teams eventing.

Rolton was one of eight flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and was inducted into the SA Sport Hall of Fame in 2010 — then elevated to legend status alongside Sir Donald Bradman, Bart Cummings, Barrie Robran and Victor Richardson last year.

We send all of our love to Gillian's family at this very difficult time.

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