Bruce Springsteen's Daughter Tells Of Parents' Reaction To Her Making Olympic Team

Jul 20, 2021

Bruce Springsteen is one of the world’s most influential rock stars and he's very deserving of his 20 Grammys, Tony Award, Oscar and two Golden Globes. He has been a headlining musician for decades and even has a Broadway show under his belt. His already stellar career was elevated even higher after he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and later awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama.

But outside of being a rock star, Bruce is also a family man who's married to Patti Scialfa — who happens to be a member of his band — and is a father to three children. Evan Springsteen, the couple's eldest son followed in his father's footsteps and writes and performs his own music. Their youngest son, Sam Springsteen, also made his parents incredibly proud when in Jan. 2020, he was sworn in as a firefighter in Jersey City, New Jersey. The couple also has one daughter, Jessica Springsteen, who has also excelled in her chosen career path and is a champion equestrian. 

Recently, Jessica made her parents even prouder when she was chosen to be a part of the USA Olympics team competing at this summer's Tokyo Olympics. The opportunity of a lifetime, Jessica couldn't have gotten there without her talent, and after being an alternate at the 2012 London Olympics, now she's finally getting her time to shine.

Speaking with Today's Hoda Kotb, Jessica revealed how excited she was to be a part of the Olympics team and even spoke of her parents' delight, too.

Although it's incredibly common for the children of celebrities to follow in their parents' footsteps, Jessica Springsteen, daughter of Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa, instead chose to follow her own passion and become a professional equestrian, specifically a show jumping rider. However, that path wasn't too far removed from her family's interests since they all lived on a horse farm together.

Riding since she was 4 years old, Jessica competed as a youth before making her adult competition debut in 2011. Although she was selected as an alternate rider for the 2012 London Olympics, Jessica didn't get the chance to compete and even missed out on qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. But now, as a seasoned pro, it's Jessica's time for the spotlight. Globally ranked 14th in show jumping, Jessica will be making her Olympics debut this summer in Tokyo when she competes as part of a four-person squad.

Made up of experienced riders who all have Olympic medals under their belt, Jessica said she's learned a lot from her teammates already. Her squad consists of two-time gold medalist McLain Ward, 45, 2016 silver medal winner, Kent Farrington, 40, and three-time Olympic competitor who's also a gold medalist, Laura Kraut, 55. Jessica spoke highly of her teammates to Today:

"I've admired these riders throughout my career so to be named to the team with them has been such a huge honor and they have so much experience. They all have medals at the Games. I'm really looking forward to it."

In the interview with Today's Hoda Kotb, which featured Jessica and her three teammates, the young Springsteen spoke of her parents' excitement and support. She told Kotb:

"They were so excited. They've supported me since I was little. This has been a huge dream of mine ever since I can remember and the sport has become such a passion for them as well. I feel like we've been on this journey together, so they were just so happy."

Not only is the journey one that Jessica shares with her family or teammates, but it's also one that she shares with her horse, of course. Riders compete closely alongside their horses and since the animals are an essential part of the sport and competition, naturally, they travel all over the world with them for international competitions. Jessica's beloved horse is a 12-year-old stallion named Don Juan van Donkhoeve. She told Today:

"We've been building our partnership over the last couple years, he's everything I would want in a championship horse. We have so much trust in our relationship and he is so powerful and he kind of does everything so effortlessly ... I can really rely on him."

Thankfully Jessica will have Don Juan van Donkhoeve in Tokyo with her, as this year's Olympics are much more restricted than previous years due to the pandemic. Because of COVID-19 rules, neither Jessica's parents nor her partner, Italian rider Lorenzo De Luca, will be able to attend in person. Nevertheless, it sounds like she has all the support in the world. 

All the best for Jessica Springsteen and her teammates at the Tokyo Olympics! Did you know Bruce Springsteen's only daughter was a champion equestrian? Be sure to pass this story on so others can find out too!