80838_EQ Almanac WEB-080918

Jessica Springsteen - Show Jumping
Like her fellow competitor, Charlotte Casiraghi, Jessica Springsteen is
an ambassador for Gucci and an elite, high-profile show jumper. But
the similarities don’t end there. Elegant and beautiful, Springsteen,
like Casiraghi, is famous for much more than her last name.
In 2008, at the age of 17, she got the attention of the show jumping
world when she won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship in a
ride-off that showcased her particularly bold riding style. In the years
following, she moved steadily upward in the show jumping rankings
with an amazing stable of horses and the influence of her coach in
those formative years, gold medal Olympian Laura Kraut.
Following her graduation from
Duke University in 2014, Jessica
had her sights set on Europe,
and moved her horses to Jan
Tops’ stunning facility in Holland,
where she worked with Jan’s
wife, Edwina Tops-Alexander. For
Jessica, the move was a good
one, not just because she was
learning so much from her new
trainer and was close to great
competition; but she was also convinced that her horses were truly
happy there.
She returns in the winter to Wellington, for the Winter Equestrian
Festival, and this year she debuted a new grand prix horse, RMF Zecilie,
bringing her string to a total of eight. Now, at 26, having had valuable
learning time at Stal Tops, she’s spending her time in Wellington with
a focus on venturing out on her own.
She’s ready to become more independent, and to establish her own
program here at home. Though she will still spend three or four months
in Europe, she plans to compete
more in the U.S., with the goal of
riding for her country again. As with
all elite show jumpers, her packed
schedule will always include travel.
She’s already committed to a
new Global Champions League
team for the 2018 season. But her
American fans will be delighted to
know that she plans to bring her
exquisite style to more shows on
this side of the pond!