This official tribute to Gillian Rolton was played at the last day of the Adelaide International 3-day event.

State funeral offer as equestrian great and dual Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton dies aged 61

Reece HomfrayNews Corp Australia

THE State Government has offered Gillian Rolton’s family the option of a state funeral, following the South Australian equestrian great’s death.

Premier Jay Weatherill described Rolton as an extraordinary talent and said it was appropriate she be honoured with a state funeral.

Rolton, a dual Olympic gold medallist, died on Saturday after a two-year battle with endometrial cancer, at the age of 61.

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“(The family) dealing with their grief,” Mr Weatherill said. “We’ll give them time to reflect on this.

“(But) we’d like to support them to ensure that as many people as possible can contribute to paying respect to the life of Gillian.

Australian equestrian legend Gillian Rolton passed away on Saturday morning, aged 61. She is pictured here in 1995.
Camera IconAustralian equestrian legend Gillian Rolton passed away on Saturday morning, aged 61. She is pictured here in 1995. Credit: News Corp Australia

“She’s obviously a woman of extraordinary talent and also of extreme courage. For South Australia, she’s also been an extraordinary promoter of the horse industry and that fantastic horse event which is running this week. That’s her enduring legacy.”

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There was a moving tribute to Rolton at the Adelaide International 3 Day Event, the event she created, at Victoria Park. A video was shown on the big screen at noon and was to be repeated at 4.30pm before the presentation of the four star competition.

Champion Australian equestrian riders Megan Jones, Shane Rose, Sonja Johnson and Stuart Tinney spoke on the video.

Her passing at 3pm on Saturday came midway through the 3 Day Event, of which Rolton had been event director for the past 10 years.

A triumphant Gillian Rolton riding Peppermint Grove. She won gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games. She went on to receive an Order of Australia medal.
Camera IconA triumphant Gillian Rolton riding Peppermint Grove. She won gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games. She went on to receive an Order of Australia medal. Credit: News Corp Australia

Rolton is 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 legendary 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 diagnosed with endometrial cancer two years ago and doctors later found metastatic cancer in her groin. After chemotherapy they told her there was nothing else they could do and she was admitted to hospital in Adelaide in September.

Injured Gillian Rolton, right, with Wendy Schaeffer wearing gold medals at the Atlanta Olympic Games.
Camera IconInjured Gillian Rolton, right, with Wendy Schaeffer wearing gold medals at the Atlanta Olympic Games. Credit: News Limited

But she remained positive right to the end, even continuing to work on organising the Adelaide International 3 Day event from her hospital bed.

Living long enough to see this year’s event, which runs from November 16-19 in the city parklands, and to see her dog deliver its litter of puppies were her two final goals.

“It’s been a long term battle with things but you always give yourself goals to work to and that’s what I’m doing,” Rolton told The Advertiser in October.

“You can’t give up, you can’t just roll up in a ball and feel sorry for yourself — you’ve got to keep focused on the positives.

SEVEN NEWS: dual Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton passes away at the age of 61

“It’s about surrounding yourself with positive people and having positive goals that keep you going through all of this.”

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.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/an-amazing-hero/image-gallery/0b0202fc7c20e8e076714910110e5d49

She remained heavily involved with the sport even after retiring from competition and served on the grand jury at the 2012 London Olympics then head of the grand jury at the 2014 world championships.

reece.homfray@news.com.au

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