Two-time Olympic equestrian Amy Tryon of Duvall, Wash., passed away in her sleep April 12. Tryon, who had built a reputation as a fierce competitor who overcame financial hardship and injuries while rising to stardom as an elite eventer, was 42. Details of her cause of death have not been released.

Throughout the past decade, Tryon, was a frequent contender at the four-star level and rode on multiple U.S. squads for international championships. In her first senior championship outing, in 1999, she placed fourth individually at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg. She went on to ride on the gold-medal team at the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, as well as the bronze-medal winning team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Iin 2006, after having juggled her amateur riding career with her full-time job as a firefighter, turned to riding professionally and won individual bronze at the WEG in Aachen. Two years later, the pair represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.

Tryon’s husband of 16 years, Greg Tryon, survives her.

A passage from her website reads:
“We ask that all take a moment to reflect on Amy whether that little girl on a pony, that girl on the horse, that woman representing her country in the Olympics, or the woman serving her community as a firefighter. We hope that brings a smile and a bit of comfort as it does us.”