Bruce Springsteen’s Daughter Jessica Springsteen’s Equestrian Career – From Parents’ Support to Olympic Journey

The American musical sensation Bruce Springsteen’s daughter, Jessica Springsteen, is an accomplished equestrian. Though horseback riding started as a hobby, with a prim and proper training regimen, the sport soon became her passion. Now, at 31, Jessica Springsteen has been making waves with her exceptional flair in equitation and reached the pinnacle of success. From winning a series of accolades in her teenage years to clinching the silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Jessica Springsteen has covered every alcove of her beloved arena.

Let’s take a panoramic view of how Jessica Springsteen’s childhood love for horses sparked her passion for equitation, and she became an esteemed equestrian.

Jessica Springsteen’s exposure to equestrian

In 1994, the Springsteen family moved from Los Angeles to Colts Neck township of Monmouth County in New Jersey. On their 127-acre estate in Colts Neck, the family had the Stone Hill farm, which harbored ponies and horses. Therefore, living in proximity to the horses piqued Jessica Springsteen’s interest in equitation. Therefore, when she was just 4, Springsteen started learning the art of horsemanship, and ever since then, she has been unstoppable.

Describing her love for horses when she was a kid, the 31-year-old once stated, “especially with the horses at a young age kind of really taught me like a lot of responsibility, dedication….I would go ride every day after school. I never wanted to skip a lesson. If I ever had to for any reason I’d be so upset so it’s just always really focused on it”.

How Bruce Springsteen and his wife support their daughter’s equestrian career

Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa rendered a hoard full of support to their daughter in her vocation as an equestrian. While Jessica Springsteen has chosen a decidedly different path from that of her parents, the musical icons never shied away from going above and beyond to back their daughter with their everything. From hailing for their daughter in every competition to expressing their heartfelt praises, the equestrian’s parents have covered it all. In an interview with People’s magazine, the 31-year-old once applauded her parents and conceded, “They make it to the shows as often as they can”. She added, “when they’re not here, they’re watching online. I love having them with me”.

Jessica Springsteen – The equestrian brand ambassador for Gucci

In 2014, Springsteen became a dominant force in the equitation field through her exceptional flair. She rose to prominence and became the icon of Show Jumping events, and caught the attention of millions across the continents. In the wake of her elite career and incredible finesse, she was appointed as the brand ambassador of the Italian high-end luxury fashion house, Gucci.

More so, Gucci’s then-creative director, Frida Giannini, designed a riding collection for its ambassador. The attire included a Gucci archival crest emblazoned on rugs, saddle pads, blazers, and personalized on shirts with Springsteen’s initials J.R.S etched on it. Praising Gucci’s customized collection, Springsteen asserted, “Riding in the collection that Frida has created for me is an honor and great fun – it combines the best of sport and style”. 

Jessica Springsteen’s Olympics debut and silver medal feat at Tokyo 2020

In the 2012 London Olympics, the equestrian featured in the games but as an alternate. Hence, though the 2012 games marked Springsteen’s debut in the Olympics, she never got to feel the thrill of competing in the reverent field. Then, in 2016, she won her first five-star Grand Prix jumping competition with her horse Cynar VA, but due to an ongoing injury on her horse’s leg, Springsteen didn’t make it to the shortlist for the U.S. equestrian team for the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, the equitation icon made a splash among her fandom, after clinching the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Interestingly, in the Tokyo games, she finished 31st in the qualifying round of individual jumping and later won the silver medal in the Team jumping competition.

The horses Springsteen rides and owns

The 31-year-old equestrian owns seven horses. Although she owns a herd of heptad, Springsteen rides only two of them – Cynar, a gray gelding, and Tiger Lily, a chestnut mare. Describing the qualities of her horses, the Olympian mentioned, “They’re completely different”. Talking about Tiger Lily and Cynar, Springsteen added, “We joke about Tiger Lily because she’s either like a tiger or a lily…she can definitely be a little frisky”, and “Cynar is much more cool-headed. He’s much more even and focused. You kind of know what you’re going to get with him a little bit more”.

Read More: Communication With Horses Proved Crucial in Bruce Springsteen’s Equestrian Daughter’s Career Once: “Let Them Know That They’ve Done It Right”

Jessica Springsteen indeed came a long way in her vocation as an equestrian. First, as a teen, she made many heads turn her way by winning her first national title in 2008, then she set on the voyage to becoming a renowned equestrian. Now, at 31, Springsteen has reached the crest of glory as an international showjumper while simultaneously framing her accomplishments on her wall of fame.

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