To casual fans of equestrian sports or the Olympics, one name jumps out from the US showjumping team. It isn't Olympic gold medallist Laura Kraut or silver medallist Kent Farrington. It's Jessica Springsteen, daughter of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.
Jessica Springsteen nearly made the US show jumping team in 2012. Aged only 20, she was named as an alternate but ultimately didn't travel to the Games.
Despite a heavy outlay on horses, including purchasing the Olympic gold medal winning Vindicat W in 2012, Springsteen had not been involved with a major championship US team since then, but nine years later, she's competing in the Olympics.
6 August 2014; Jessica Springsteen, USA, competing on Vindicat W, during the Irish Sports Council Classic. Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show 2014, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE
The Springsteens don't try and hide the connection. Jessica's last win was on a horse owned by the family's Stone Hill Farms called Hungry Heart.
Other horses are also named after songs written and performed by Bruce. He is a regular attendee at her competitions, including trips to Dublin to see her compete at the RDS Horse Show when part of the USA's Aga Khan team.
It's unlikely he'll be allowed to watch her in Tokyo, but no doubt his girl "Born in the USA" will do the nation proud.
The showjumping individual qualification starts at 11am with Darragh Kenny, Betram Allan and Cian O'Connor joining Springsteen on the starting line up.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
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