Jessica Springsteen, Epitome of Equestrian Elegance
by David Graver (Photography by Ashley Neuhof)
August 2025
An accomplished equestrian, philanthropist, and fashion advocate, Jessica Springsteen’s career is marked by significant achievements. Raised on her family’s farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey, she began riding at the age of five and quickly ascended the ranks of competitive show jumping. With accolades including victories at the 2008 ASPCA Maclay Final, at the age of 16, to a silver medal in team jumping at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Springsteen continues to garner awards for her skill. She couples this equine dedication with luxury partnerships that range from elite fashion brands to wristwatch icon Rolex, a supporter of prestigious equestrian events worldwide, for whom she’s been a testimonee since 2022.
Springsteen’s path is one immersed in an appreciation for and care of horses. “I grew up around animals on our farm, so I always remember loving to be around horses from a young age,” she shares with Elliman Equestrian. “I used to be quite nervous riding when I was little, so for me, at first, I just wanted to be around them, grooming them, and giving baths.” She recalls one of her earliest riding memories: “A lead line class back when they used to have the horse show at Madison Square Garden. That was probably my first ever competition, and I remember getting sixth place and already wondering what I could have done better.”
Springsteen always knew horses would be in her life—a belief that she transformed into a commitment. “In high school I devoted all of my free time to riding, but I would say I realized that I wanted to do it professionally when I was about 19,” she continues. “The U.S. sent a team of young riders over to Europe to compete in the Young Rider Nations Cups, and I had an incredible experience. I loved competing on a team and getting to experience the sport overseas.” In addition to competing, Springsteen observed some of the top riders in the world. It furthered her inspiration.
It was the location of the Colts Neck farm that led her down the path to show jumping. The family farm was in close proximity to Beacon Hill Show stables, a leading jumping training stable. “I trained there all throughout my junior career. I never thought of any other disciplines,” she says. “I never questioned another route. I was always quite determined, but it took me a long time to overcome those fears in the beginning.”
For Springsteen, competing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and winning the silver medal remains a personal and professional pinnacle. “It was always my dream, and for it to become a reality was an incredibly special moment,” she says. “My teammates are riders I had looked up to throughout my career, and I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish.”
Throughout the years, Springsteen has always supported her show jumping with philanthropic commitments, many of which are woven into the equestrian world. These organizations have ranged from the EQUUS Foundation and GallopNYC to the Michael Nyuis Foundation. Each carries immense importance to the renowned athlete. “Gallop NYC is New York City’s largest therapeutic equine program, and witnessing their work has been truly amazing,” she explains. “I always thought I knew a lot about equine therapy, but after learning more about people’s stories through Gallop, I was truly in awe of all the ways in which horses have helped heal. It has been life-changing for so many people.”
Based in California, the Michael Nyuis Foundation grants scholarships to young equestrians, allowing them to compete. “I partnered with them and Compton Cowboys in the past for clinics and both years I was blown away by the community these organizations have created,” Springsteen says. “The group of riders that came out for the clinics were so supportive of one another. These organizations have given so many young people access to the sport.”
Every year at the Hampton Classic, the EQUUS Foundation—the only charity in the U.S. solely dedicated to horse protection—hosts an adoption day; another impactful event for Springsteen. “The EQUUS Foundation’s mission is to protect horses in America throughout their careers,” she outlines. “They are dedicated to giving horses safe, meaningful lives through support programs that rescue and rehome horses as well as retrain horses for equine therapy and so on. They strive to ensure that every horse is valued and cared for.”
Many lessons from show jumping have informed Springsteen’s outlook on life, from responsibility to confidence. “As I’ve gotten older, I really value that our sport requires an incredible amount of presence,” she says. “I think horses have taught me the importance of sensitivity. You have to be very aware of how you’re communicating and if it’s in a way that your horse understands. It takes a lot of listening, adaptability, and a lot of patience to build a language which you both understand.” This understanding has taught Springsteen how to be present in the moment, a feeling she acknowledges as one of her favorite things about the sport.
“I think that as I’ve gotten older and spoken to more people at the top of our sport, I’ve noticed that everyone throughout certain times has struggled with self-doubt,” she shares. “From the outside it can often seem like everyone moves through the ups and downs pretty effortlessly, but I think everyone struggles with that.” This informed honest insight: “I learned that working on believing that you can do it, even before you might actually think it’s true, is one of the most powerful tools you can give yourself.”
So much of her success is due to the fact that Springsteen centers “genuine partnership, respect and love for horses.” She rides with sensitivity and always puts the horse first. This is underscored by her desire to be an example for generations of equestrians to come.
A version of this article was originally published in the Fall 2025 edition of Equestrian Magazine.
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