“There really is no other sport like it, and I think the connection you develop with the horses is something really special,” said Olympic silver medalist Jessica Springsteen. She began taking lessons at age four on her family’s farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey and quickly started competing. However, in 2024, her dreams came to a halt. Springsteen, daughter of rock legend Bruce Springsteen, has been left off the U.S. Equestrian Team for the Paris Olympics. She failed to secure a spot on the team heading to Versailles on August 6. This surprising decision has sparked widespread discussion within the equestrian community and beyond.

It raises questions about the current state of American show jumping and the athletes who will now lead the team on the world’s biggest stage. Attention now shifts to Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, and McLain Ward, who have earned their spots, and the expectations placed upon them to bring home medals from Paris. They will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, who will be responsible for the overall team management for major international competitions.

Jessica Springsteen’s Olympic aspirations nipped at the bud

On July 6, 2024, USEF announced the members of the Olympic equestrian team via their official website. The U.S. Equestrian said in a press release that the team was “chosen for continued observation,” and Jessica Springsteen was not featured in the team list which included veteran riders Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, and McLain Ward, as well as Karl Cook as an alternate. This was a shock as Jessica was initially named one of the top 10 athletes in the U.S. Jumping Team’s shortlist for the Olympics in April.

However, she fell from her No. 14 rank in 2021 to No. 127 this year according to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. This comes as a disappointment to her singer father, Bruce Springsteen, who had left a two-week break open on the European leg of his tour to coincide with the games. It is her fall in the rankings which ultimately cost her the spot on the Olympic team. As the top 30 riders advanced to the medals round, Springsteen finished equal to 31st in the qualifying round. As part of Team USA, Farrington was ranked 6th internationally, with Kraut and Ward in 35th and 15th positions, respectively.

This was significantly higher than Jessica’s 127th rank. The shortlist for the Equestrian team consists of Steffen Peters with horse Suppenkasper, Anna Marek with Fire Fly, Adrienne Lyle with Helix, and Lars van de Hoenderhride in Dressage. Then there’s Farrington with Greya, Landon, Myla, and Toulayna, as well as Laura Kraut with Baloutine, Bisquetta, and Dorado 212. Additionally, McLain Ward will be competing with Callas, Contagious, and Quimi del Maset in the Jumping category. For Eventing, there’s Boyd Martin with Fedarman B, Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake, and William Coleman with Off The Record. Unfortunately, Jessica did not feature on the shortlist.

Equestrian champion’s expectations for the team at the Paris Olympics

This year, the Jumping Team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland alongside Team Leader Lizzy Chesson. They will be supported by team veterinarian Heather Sherman. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland said, “We are very lucky to have three of the most experienced athletes in the sport riding horses that are in top form heading into the Games. Additionally, we have a strong alternate athlete-horse combination in Karl and Caracole, who have shown great recent form.” The team is totally locked in for the Paris Olympics.

Jessica Springsteen and 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood were part of the USA Team three years ago. At that time she was accompanied by Kraut and Ward. Together they brought home the fourth medal in the past five Olympic games. Springsteen said, “Tokyo 2020 was such an incredible experience, but because of that year and all the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, you know, you couldn’t have your family and your friends there.” This is why she wanted to qualify this year doubly badly, “So I was like, oh my gosh, I would love to go to another Olympics and be able to share that with my family, who’ve been so supportive of my career for so many years.” However, that was not to be. 

Last time, her horse Don Juan van de Donkhoeve won a silver medal. Kent Farrington, who has made the team, is one of the most prolific equestrians in history and has amassed $12.3 million in prize money from representing the USA in international meets. In addition, he is a five-time Grand Prix winner. He won team silver in Rio and team bronze in the 2014 World Equestrian Games. His teammate Laura Kraut is also equally accomplished. Laura was part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the USA won gold.

She has won several medals as part of the USA team at the FEI World Equestrian Games and FEI Jumping Nations Cup Finals. She won the CSI5 Grand Prix last year as well. Additionally, McLain Ward is a five-time Olympic gold medalist with over 300 Grand Prix titles throughout his career. Even Karl Cook, as an alternate, is extremely reliable. This puts Team USA in impeccable hands, geared to win.