Reed Catherine Kessler (born July 9, 1994) is a former American
show jumping
Show jumping is a part of a group of English riding equestrian events that also includes eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows ar ...
competitor previously based in Europe. At 18 years old, Kessler qualified for the
2012 London Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012, were an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...
,
becoming at the time, the youngest rider to compete in show jumping at the Olympic Games.
In 2013, she won the Longines Rising Star Award after winning the 2012 USEF National Jumping title and won the 2013 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows.
Personal life
She is the daughter of
Murray Kessler, President of the
United States Equestrian Federation
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF or US Equestrian) is the national Sport governing body, governing body for most Equestrianism, equestrian sports in the United States. It began on January 20, 1917, as the Association of American Hor ...
and CEO of
Lorillard Tobacco Company
Lorillard Tobacco Company was an American tobacco company that marketed cigarettes under the brand names Newport (cigarette), Newport, Maverick (cigarette), Maverick, Old Gold (cigarette), Old Gold, Kent (cigarette), Kent, True (cigarette), True, ...
.
After competing in the Olympics, she continued showjumping,
[
] later pursuing studies at
Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. She received a master's degree in International Security Policy, Conflict Resolution, and Russia and the Post-Soviet States.
Kessler's last international showjumping competition was in 2018.
Kessler now works for the Ronald Reagan Institute.
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kessler, Reed
Sportspeople from Lexington, Kentucky
1994 births
People from Armonk, New York
Sportspeople from Westchester County, New York
Living people
American show jumping riders
American female equestrians
Olympic equestrians for the United States
Equestrians at the 2012 Summer Olympics
21st-century American sportswomen
Columbia University School of General Studies alumni
School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University alumni