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Olympics: What are the four new sports to debut this year in Tokyo?

Climbers, skaters, surfers and karatekas are Olympics bound for the first time at the Tokyo games this summer.

Staff Video, USA TODAY

Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck is going to Tokyo.

Springsteen, the 29-year old daughter of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, has been named a member of the U.S. Olympic equestrian team that will compete next month in Japan.

She’ll be riding Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion. 

Springsteen’s teammates are Kent Farrington of Wellington, Florida; Laura Kraut, Royal Palm Beach, Florida; and McLain Ward, Brewster, New York. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Lizzy Chesson. The announcement of the team was made Monday afternoon.

The journey: Jessica Springsteen, daughter of Bruce, moves closer to her Olympic equestrian dreams

The final selections were made after two “simultaneous” competitions this weekend in Europe. 

“This weekend’s two simultaneous CSI5* grand prix events in Rotterdam and Windsor completed a long and productive selection process for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” said Ridland in a statement provided by the U.S. Equestrian Federation. “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.”

Devin Ryan of Long Valley was one of 10 finalists for the 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,” Ridland said. “We’re looking forward to the next few weeks ahead and are aiming to deliver a strong performance for Team USA in Tokyo.”

Brian Moggre and Lucy Deslauriers will be the alternate riders. Competition will begin on Aug. 3 and continue through Aug. 7 at the Equestrian Park venue in Tokyo. Capacity is limited to 50 percent in venues at the Olympics and attendees must be residents of Japan, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Dad Bruce has a month-long break scheduled from his “Springsteen on Broadway” performances from July 17 to Aug.  17.

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Jessica’s dream was to make the team.

“My mom had always wanted to ride since she was little,” said Jessica previously to CBS. “When I was like 3 or 4, we moved to Colts Neck, New Jersey. We had all sorts of animals, cows, chickens, goats and pigs. I would go ride every day after school.”

Dad Bruce is proud. 

“Patti and my life has been deeply enriched by our involvement in the riding world. I’ve gotten to watch my daughter grow up into a young woman of character and excellence,” said Bruce at a U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation fundraiser in January 2016. “I’ve gotten to watch a lot of you grow up with her. I’ve gotten to watch the best in the world compete year after year, and I know what that takes.”

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“Patti and I have been involved with the horse world for 20-plus years since Jess started riding when she was 5 years old. Needless to say retirement is nowhere in sight for me. I literally play for horse feed night after night.”

Jessica has been a high profile rider featured in multiple ad campaigns. She appeared as the “equestrian ambassador” for Gucci in 2014 and as such was featured in a photo shoot titled “Born to Ride.” The spread featured Jessica on the grounds of family home in Colts Neck: on horseback, lying on the turf in a summer dress, and appointed in riding gear. She appeared with her dad on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar in 2018.

Her profile in fashion magazines has been comparatively limited in recent years.

Jessica was an alternate rider for the 2012 U.S. team in London but she failed to make the team in 2016. She’s ranked No. 3 on the U.S. rider list and No. 27 in the world.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected].

Source: Asbury Park

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