Jessica Springsteen and Volage du Val Henry. Photo by Jump Media.

Wellington, FL – U.S. rider Jessica Springsteen was named the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award winner on Saturday, February 23, during CSI5* week, the seventh week of competition at the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

“It’s really exciting to be named Leading Lady!” said Springsteen, who competed two different horses during Week 7, one in the Thursday qualifier and another in the “Saturday Night Lights” grand prix. “My horses jumped great all week, and winning this award is a great finish to a lovely weekend.”

Springsteen, 27, piloted Volage du Val Henry, a 10-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Stone Hill Farm, to sixth place in the $134,000 CSI5* Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 qualifier earlier in the week, sealing her fate for an appearance in Saturday evening’s big ticket event. She again earned a top-10 placing in the $391,000 CSI5* Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix, this time riding RMF Zecilie, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Rushy Marsh Farm.

In recognition of her Leading Lady title, Springsteen was presented with a bottle of champagne, bouquet of flowers, and gift certificate for a shopping spree at Hunt, Ltd.

The Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award will be presented to the female rider who accumulates the most points throughout the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival, now in its second half of the season. So far this year, Erynn Ballard, Laura Chapot, Margie Engle, Tiffany Foster, Lauren Hough, and Beezie Madden have earned the weekly honor and have set their sights on claiming the overall title.

By Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jumpmediallc.com