Gillian Rolton

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameGillian•Rolton
Used nameGillian•Rolton
Born3 May 1956 in Adelaide, South Australia (AUS)
Died18 November 2017 in Adelaide, South Australia (AUS)
Measurements170 cm / 60 kg
NOC Australia
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Gillian Rolton competed at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, helping Australia to win team golds in eventing at both Olympics. In Atlanta in 1996 she fell five minutes into the endurance phase, when her mount Peppermint Grove, which she called “Freddie” for short, fell, causing Rolton to fracture her collarbone and several ribs, but she re-mounted and rode on to make her points count for the team. She later said, “You don’t go to the Games to be a wuss, you don’t go to the Games to be a wimp.”

Rolton did not compete at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but carried the Australian flag at the Opening Ceremony. She later became director of the Adelaide Three-Day International. In 2017, shortly before her death, she was given the key to the City of Adelaide by Lord Mayor Martin Haese. Rolton died quite young after a long battle with endometrial cancer.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1992 Summer Olympics Equestrian Eventing (Equestrian) AUS Gillian Rolton
Individual, Open (Olympic) Peppermint Grove 23
Team, Open (Olympic) Peppermint Grove / Australia 1 Gold
1996 Summer Olympics Equestrian Eventing (Equestrian) AUS Gillian Rolton
Team, Open (Olympic) Peppermint Grove / Australia 1 Gold

Special Notes