Three months before the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, Higgins' hip began to fail and she could no longer ride with stirrups; she had a saddle especially made for her for the competition. She had postponed a hip replacement to compete in the games. Although she was in serious pain, she could not take painkillers during the games in case they led to her being tested positive for drugs. She was randomly selected to work with a 14-year-old pinto gelding named Kaleidoscope for the games, formerly known as Magpie, who she admired "more than any other horse". she had previously seen him at showjumping events and had competed against the horse at state and national championships, as he had been working with riders with disabilities since 1998. He had hoof trouble two days after Higgins first met him; however, his hoof was fixed in time for the competition. Higgins won two gold medals in the Mixed Dressage – Championship grade III and Mixed Dressage – Freestyle grade III events, for which she received a Medal of the Order of Australia, and was part of the team that came fifth in the Mixed Dressage Team open event. She was Australia's first equestrian Paralympic gold medallist. She had her sixth hip replacement in February 2001 and returned to riding, once again winning the New South Wales State Championship Dressage title for Riders With Disabilities and the perpetual trophy for the highest point score.