Bruce Springsteen’s Daughter Jessica FaceTimed Her Dad After Winning an Olympic Medal

If Bruce Springsteen is “the boss” of the American music industry, his daughter Jessica is carrying on that boss legacy—in the equestrian world, that is. The 29-year-old daughter of the legendary rocker is paving her own path in the world of horse riding, and she was one of four standout riders on the U.S. jumping roster for the 2021 Tokyo games. In an Instagram post, Springsteen celebrated the accomplishment noting that she’s “Been dreaming of this since I can remember!” And according to Sports Illustrated, this was her first Olympics run after her horse—12-year-old Don Juan Van de Donkhoeve— suffered a leg injury in 2016, preventing her from competing in that year’s games.

After graduating from Duke University in 2014, Springsteen went on to pursue show jumping and modeling, and was named the equestrian ambassador for Gucci. But she's been competing in equestrian competitions, including the Royal Windsor Horse Show, since she was young.

Springsteen's Olympic journey started with individual jumping events on August 3 and 4. But, it was in team jumping, on August 6 and 7, where she earned her first Olympic medal. Springsteen and her teammates, McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, and Kent Farrington, earned silver in the jumping finals. Naturally, after her victory, Springsteen called her family, including parents Bruce and Patti, back home.

“I FaceTimed them really quick. They were all screaming, I don’t think we understood anything,” she said, per CNN. “Just saw their team USA gear; there was just lots of shouting. I couldn’t make a lot out but I know that they’re so excited.”

Springsteen was proud of her performance in the competition. “You definitely start to get the jitters,” she said. “But it was also super exciting. My horse jumped it beautifully. And we really gave it our all out there.”

While her father wasn't able to watch her compete in person—Japan banned foreign spectators from the games—it makes that he was cheering stateside, especially considering he was partly responsible for her original love of horses. Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa raised their family on a 400-acre horse farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey, where Jessica learned to ride. “We had a really grounded upbringing and it was nice that I always had riding to focus on and have something a little bit for myself,” Jessica told CNN.

Prior to the finals, Springsteen shared a bit about her teammates, who ended up being pivotal in her eventual Olympic success.

"This has been my dream since I first started riding, so it all still feels surreal," Springsteen told Vogue. "My teammates are riders I’ve looked up to throughout my career, as well as former Olympians, so I’m really looking forward to sharing this experience with them. It’s always an honor to represent my country, and to be doing so at the games is something in which I take great pride."

The professional rider also gave some insight into her extensive training routine, which included strengthening her legs and core. But, she noted, there's no substitute for riding itself. She said, "The best way to keep yourself sharp and to stay in shape for show jumping is to constantly ride."

Springsteen is indeed looking forward to returning to the U.S. after the Games and reflecting on the special experience with her loved ones. "I am the most excited to go home and be with my friends and family," she told Vogue. "I wish I could share this experience with them, but I feel their support from home."

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