The daughter of the guy who sings “Born in the U.S.A.” will be representing America at the Tokyo Olympics later this month.
Jessica Springsteen, the daughter of legendary American rocker Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, has been named as a member of the U.S. Olympic equestrian team that will compete later this summer at the Summer Games in Japan.
Springsteen, who served as an alternate at the 2012 London Summer Games but failed to make the 2016 Rio Games, will be making her Olympic debut at the age of 29.
“Been dreaming of this since I can remember,” the new Olympian wrote on Instagram. “Endless gratitude for my team, friends and family for helping me make this a reality. We are Tokyo bound!! Honored to be a part of this team with @laurakraut @teamkpf and @mclainward.official. There’s no horse in the world I’d rather be on this journey with, thank you Don! You’re my horse of a lifetime Let’s go USA!”
Don is a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, full name Don Juan van de Donkhoeve.
Joining Springsteen on the four-person/four-horse U.S. Jumping Team at the Games will be Kent Farrington on his horse Gazelle, Laura Kraut on her horse Baloutinue and McLain Ward on his horse Contagious.
“Following a very competitive winter circuit in Florida, American riders competed successfully against the world’s best in five major CSI5 events in Europe over the past couple months,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, the leader of the U.S. Jumping Team. “I feel very confident that the seasoned group of riders that we will be sending to Tokyo is in top current form and peaking at just the right time. Backing them up as reserves will be Brian Moggre and Lucy Deslauriers, two of the young stars on the international circuit who made a mark for themselves with their one-two finish in the CSI5* Grand Prix of Sopot. We’re looking forward to the next few weeks ahead and are aiming to deliver a strong performance for Team USA in Tokyo.”
All team nominations are subject to United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee approval. Equestrian competition will begin on August 3 and continue through August 7.
The U.S. won a silver medal in team jumping at the 2016 Games in Rio and has medaled in six of the last nine Olympics. Nice.
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