‘I’m making history’: how a four-day drive, riding bareback and bearing her nation’s flag paved the way for showgirl’s Olympic debut

For a heartwarming Olympic dressage story, look no further than Justina Vanagaité-Samuile. The Lithuanian rider is the first to represent her country at any Olympic equestrian event, and left the arena at Paris 2024 blowing kisses and waving exuberantly to the cheering crowd.

“It’s not just my first Olympics, it’s Lithuania’s – I’m making history!” she says. “It doesn’t feel real. Before my test I was anxious...