Instant success
Reed Kessler only became eligible to become a senior jumper this year, but jumped into the Olympic mix at just 17 years old. Kessler finished tied for first in March’s Olympic Trials and split the USEF National Show Jumping Championship title with veteran Margie Engle. It was the first time jumping senior level heights for both Kessler and her horse, Cylana. That was the start of a special spring for Kessler, which led to her selection to the team.
In her younger days
Kessler may only be 18, but she has racked up some serious accomplishments at the junior stage. In 2010, her and Mika, one of her other top horses, were on the bronze medal winning team at the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. In February 2010, Kessler and Swedish warmblood gelding Ligist won the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Championship.
From the cradle to the saddle
Kessler began her time on horses at just six months old when her parents – who have both been riding for over 30 years – put her in a basket and brought her along for a ride. She started competing in show jumping at 12 years old and never looked back.
Cylana and Mika
Kessler will ride Cylana at the Olympics, but she also has a strong horse in Mika, who with Kessler is the third alternate. Both are young and inexperienced but both are proving their athleticism early. “Both of them are, in my opinion, Olympic caliber horses. Cylana is just a freak. It’s not normal to have a horse for only a few months like we have and have a partnership like we have.”
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