It is sometimes difficult for the children of stars to have their own career. However, this athlete managed to perform at the highest level and even win an Olympic medal far from her father’s chosen field.
An Olympic discipline since 1900, horse riding is one of the flagship events on the Paris Games calendar. For this 2024 edition of the Olympic Games, the equestrian events will be held in the park of the Château de Versailles. Three events award medals at these Olympics: dressage, show jumping and eventing. It is also one of the sports with the most competitors. Indeed, despite only three events, 200 competitors are competing for the gold medal. Historically, Germany dominates the discipline, with 66 medals, including 30 gold. It will also be necessary to count on French and American riders.
The United States team notably has in its ranks a jumper whose name is no stranger to rock fans. Indeed, among the selection of the last Tokyo Games we could notice a certain Jessica Springsteen. And this athlete is none other than Bruce Springsteen’s daughter. In Japan, she had also participated in the team obstacle course, finishing in second place behind Sweden. Jessica Springsteen therefore won the silver medal at the Tokyo Games. She also took part in the individual competition, and finished 31st, close to the final.
If she did not decide to follow the “Boss” in the world of music, Jessica Springsteen grew up in an environment conducive to her equestrian career. Raised on the family farm Stone Hill, New Jersey, she quickly distinguished herself in the youth categories, winning the title of United States champion several times as a junior.
Since the Tokyo Games, Jessica Springsteen has had a more difficult time, falling back down the American hierarchy. However, she has been back for a year, and won the London Grand Prix. If the American selection will not be revealed until next June, Jessica Springsteen has placed herself in the hierarchy for the obstacle competition, both individually and by team. If she is selected for the team, she could participate in Paris, in her third Olympic Games, after London in 2012 (as an alternate) and Tokyo in 2021.
Jessica Springsteen is not the only child star to participate in the Games in horse riding. We can particularly think of Zara Phillips, Olympic vice-champion in London in 2012 in the team event, and individual world champion in 2006. Zara Phillips is in fact a member of the British royal family, since she and the granddaughter daughter of Queen Elizabeth II.