It was a victorious weekend for 15 athletes and their families.

With a little under six months traning, the athletes competed in the equestrian special olympic competition and returned to the county with five medals.

The Alachua County team earned two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals in the equestrian competitions.
    

Many of the athletes had never ridden a horse before beginning training.

And many had to learn the right posture for showing horses.

From coordinating schedules among fifteen athletes to dealing with no funding, there were pleny of challenges says Special Olympics equestrian coach, Madonna Bynum.

But Bynum says it was all worth it, calling this one of the most amazing experiences of her life.

This was the first year that Alachua County had an equestrian team in the competition. And due to a lack of funding -- it cost $25 thousand to fund an equestrian team -- staff with Special Olympics Alachua County say it may be the last time.

For more information, contact Special Olympics Alachua at 352-361-7389.