Jessica Springsteen Wins Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award at Winter Equestrian Festival Week Four

Jessica Springsteen Wins Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award at Winter Equestrian Festival Week Four

Jessica Springsteen of the United States claimed the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award on Saturday, February 1, during week four of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

Having placed sixth in the $73,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 held Thursday, January 30, on the Derby Field, Springsteen returned to Equestrian Village on Saturday for the $214,000 CSI4* Marshall & Sterling / Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix. Riding Volage du Val Henry, Springsteen once again contested the jump-off, eventually placing third and securing her first Leading Lady title of the 2020 season.


“I’m so happy with her; she jumped amazing,” said Springsteen of Volage du Val Henry, an 11-year-old Selle Français mare (Quidam de Revel x Cassini I) owned by Stone Hill Farm. “She’s just been in such good shape these past couple months. She was great on Thursday, and I thought I was pretty quick. In the grand prix, I wanted to go for it a little bit more. We still weren’t quite fast enough, but she’s such a talented horse. I love riding her.”


In recognition of claiming the title, Springsteen was presented with a bottle of champagne, a bouquet of flowers, and a gift certificate for a shopping spree at Hunt, Ltd. by sponsor Martha W. Jolicoeur, who was joined for the presentation by her fiancé, Dr. Stephen Norton.


“This sport is so unique in that we compete with women and men in the same competitions,” said Springsteen, 28, of Colts Neck, NJ. “I think it’s really special in that way, and it’s always so nice that they give the Leading Lady award every week. I was really excited to win.”



Left to right: Martha Jolicoeur presents Jessica Springsteen with the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award with Dr. Stephen Norton during week four of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Throughout WEF, the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award, given in memory of fellow realtor and horseman Dale Lawler, is presented weekly to the high-score female rider based on performances in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series and grand prix events. During the 12th and final week of competition, the Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award will be presented to the female rider who accumulates the most points throughout the season. So far this season, Lillie Keenan of the United States and Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire have won the award and are now joined by Springsteen in contending for the overall title.


A sponsor and dedicated supporter of horse sport at WEF for many years, 2020 marks Jolicoeur’s 10th season presenting the weekly Leading Lady Rider Award. A former competitor herself, Jolicoeur enjoyed a successful international show jumping career before becoming Florida’s number one Douglas Elliman real estate broker for 2018.


Based in Wellington full-time, Jolicoeur has been serving the Wellington equestrian community since 2005 and specializes in both residential and farm properties. As part of the elite Douglas Elliman Real Estate Sports and Entertainment division, she offers a wide range of property listings that fit the equestrian lifestyle. To learn more about Martha W. Jolicoeur and her listings, visit www.marthasproperties.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes tours of available Wellington properties.