The Boss’ daughter will have a chance for Olympic gold.
Jessica Springsteen, the 29-year-old daughter of rock legend Bruce Springsteen, helped the U.S. equestrian team advance to the show jumping finals at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Colts Neck, N.J., native was the second of three riders for the team Friday. Springsteen earned four penalty points for knocking down a rail during her 80.67 second ride on the 14-jump course.
On Tuesday, Springsteen and her horse Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, suffered a setback when the duo failed to qualify for the Olympic individual jumping finals at Tokyo’s Equestrian Park.
At the time, Springsteen still felt optimistic about her Olympic run.
“All in all, I’m thrilled with the round, and I’m excited for the rest of the week,” said Springsteen, who arrived in Tokyo ranked No. 14 in the world. She was an alternate for the London Games in 2012, but did not participate.
Follow all the 2020 Olympics action
- Daily updated medal counts, full schedule and results, athlete bios and more
- Full Post coverage of the Games
None of the American equestrian athletes advanced in the individual events, but Springsteen and her teammates, Laura Kraut and McClain Ward, will participate in the final Saturday after placing fifth in the final qualifying round. The U.S. will compete for a second straight medal after earning silver in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro.
Springsteen began taking equestrian lessons at the age of 5, and has made a name for herself as an elite jumper. As recently as March, she was named to the NetJets U.S. Jumping Team that won the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Wellington CSIO4 with Don Juan van de Donkhoeve. Later that month, she placed fifth in the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5 with her horse.
Springsteen previously said her famous family is watching her live out her Olympic dream from home. Fans are not permitted at the rescheduled 2020 Summer Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.