“Dropped Out of…”: 31-Year-Old American Equestrian Rider Opens Up About Sport’s Challenges

Longines Ranking data has just been surpassed, featuring several horse riders who have continually showcased their prowess from February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024. Many stellar riders have marked their names on the list, but one name stands out above them all. The 31-year-old, who has secured a spot at No. 9, was one of the highest-ranked female riders in the world of equestrian sports.

That’s not all; the skilled rider also holds an impressive 60th place in the global ranking. Cathleen Driscoll always knew she wanted to be a rider, and that is the reason she could deliver a resilient performance in all her events. Despite having many accolades and successes under her belt, she has seen a lot of difficulties on her journey.

Struggles and success in the saddle

Recently, the equestrian stardom shared her struggle, via a post on the official Instagram page of the World of Showjumping with the caption, “When I was 18, I dropped out of college because I knew horses were what I wanted to do and I’ve just worked and worked and worked, Cathleen Driscoll tells WoSJ.”

Despite dropping out of college at a young age, she always knew where her passion lay. In an interview with the WoSJ, she said, “Since I’ve been little, I’ve known I want to ride at the top, be on teams, and go to the Olympics.” She started her FEI class in July 2021, which saw rapid success as she became a skilled trainer through the process.

Finding closure beyond the barn

Her hard work paid off as she clinched the title of Emerging Athlete Program in 2018, marking her dominance in the world of equestrian sports. Just two years later, she achieved another milestone: her first FEI Grand Prix victory in Traverse City. Her dedication and perseverance stem from the setbacks she faced before.

Also read: Bill Gates’ Equestrian Daughter Jennifer Gates Appeals for Sponsorship “Especially for Females” in the Sport

In the same interview, she said, “It was hard for me to find a path as I didn’t have the money to buy the horses myself, and it’s difficult in the US to find owners and programs that will bring along a young rider who can’t pay.” But with that, she added, “It’s easy to feel discouraged seeing others rise to the top quicker.” Fans are now waiting to witness her upcoming performance.

Watch this story: After Getting Back on Saddle, Bill Gates’s Equestrian Daughter Jennifer Gates Forced to Say  a Tragic Goodbye