By the EIE Editorial Staff
Many of us have a passion for horses and for celebrities who earn their living in the public spotlight, the connection may even be more special. For them, spending time with a horse can be incredibly inspiring in many ways. Horses, unlike fickle fans, offer unconditional acceptance. In a business where actors and actresses are scrutinized in both their public and private lives, horses don't judge. They offer a sense of companionship and acceptance that can be incredibly comforting and inspiring.
From our youngest rider to our most established veteran, here is the list of celebrity equestrians:
- Grace Wahlberg is the 14-year-old daughter of Marky Mark Wahlberg inherits her Pop-singer/actor Dad's work ethic and goes all-in for the equestrian sport of show jumping. Mark is clearly proud of his daughter!
- Eve Jobs is the 25-year-old daughter of the late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, was ranked the top 25th best show jumper in the world last year. A graduate of Stanford University, she is also a top model. She enjoys spending time with her horse, Genius, on her ranch.
- Bella Hadid, the 27-year-old supermodel, is known for being seen in the show jumping arena. This past January, Bella made an appearance at the National Cutting Horse Association $50,000 Limited Amateur event. Yes, this talented lady rides both English and Western!
- Kendall Jenner is a 28-year-old lifelong Equestrian, model and social influencer. Kendall recently released a Youtube video for Vogue Magazine. Kendall, who recently discussed her wellness journey and the importance of her horse Arizona, entered Vogue World alongside Gigi Hadid riding Django
- Jennifer Gates Nassar is the 28-year-old Daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, founders/owners of the Microsoft Empire. Jennifer and husband Nayel Nassar are showjumpers & owners/proprietors of Evergate Stables in Wellington, Florida.
- Jessica Springsteen is the 32-year-old daughter of Superstar Rock icon Bruce Springsteen. She is a BOSS in the Showjumping arena, having won multiple International showjumping competitions at the highest levels and won the silver medal in the United States 2020 Olympic Equestrian team. Jessica speaks to Harper’s Bazaar about horses, fashion and prepping for her second Olympics.
- Amber Marshall is a 36-year-old Canadian Actress and horsewoman. Heartland has a huge following, especially in the equestrian community, and is now the longest-running one-hour scripted drama in Canadian television history! Amber stars as Amy Fleming, the “Horse Listener” who helps clients' troubled horses on the family ranch in Alberta, Canada. In addition to being a great actress, Amber is also a lifelong horsewoman and has her own YouTube channel.
- Mary-Kate Olsen, the 38-year-old actress and identical twin (her sister is Ashley) has been riding since she was six and competes in the jumping competitions. She credits riding with helping her view the world outside of school and work, saying “Horses teach you a lot about yourself.”
- Kaley Cuoco is known for her character on the hit “The Big Bang Theory” but now it seems her life is more of a Big Jump Theory. The 38-year-old actress and equestrian lives on her ranch outside Hollywood with her menagerie of animals, her partner and daughter. Cuoco competes in the showjumping arena on the A circuit.
- Sam Heughan is a 44-year-old Scottish actor and stars as Jamie Fraser in the wildly popular series, Outlander. He grew up in a barn, so it is no wonder he is an accomplished horseman. He has even professed his love for riding horses in a kilt!
- Cole Hauser is a 49-year-old actor known for “2 Fast 2 Furious” is a coffee entrepreneur and lifelong horseman. His latest role of Rip Wheeler in “Yellowstone” came naturally since he had been a cowboy since he could walk. He says in an interview, “From four to eight years old I was on that horse every day after school. That horse and I were like the best of friends.”
- Jamie Foxx. Is there anything the 56-year-old actor, musician, comic, horseman cannot do? They actually cast Jamie's own horse named Cheetah, in the Quentin Tarantino movie “Django Unchained.” Foxx and Cheetah worked together to perfect bareback riding stunts and other scenes to perfect the authenticity of their bond.
- Julia Roberts, the 56-year-young pretty woman also looks gorgeous on a horse! She admits she was nervous the first time she was in the saddle but later looked forward to times she could demonstrate her equestrian skills in the movies, including her role in "Runaway Bride"!
- Tom Cruise still does a lot or most, maybe all of his own stunts at 61. As horse people, we know that riding horses can be like doing stunts, so let's give all the credit to Tom Cruise. He has always had a love for horses, and has ridden horses in many of his movies. He takes time to get to know them, and to ride them.
- Madonna, our 65-year-old Material Girl will not be stopped by any unplanned dismount. “Hospital or back on” goes for her, too. Madonna loves her horses and she will keep riding despite the press focusing on the moments where equestrians may snicker at her.
- Kevin Costner, the 67-year-old actor and horseman was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2019. His most renowned Western works include “Dances With Wolves” and most recently, “Yellowstone.” Coming up this summer, is the series Horizon, which can be seen in movie theaters.
- Hugh Jackman, 55 years old, is a film and stage star who became an accomplished horseman leading up to the film, “Australia” with Nicole Kidman. Starring as an Australian rancher, he rode and trained with ranch and cutting horses for a year leading up to the role.
- Viggo Mortenson, the 65-year-old actor is one of the most well known horse loving actors, seems to always want to take his equine co-stars home with him! He purchased “Brago,” the horse he rode in the film series “The Lord of the Rings,” the horse the character Mery rode in “The Return of the King” and the horse that played Hidalgo in the film of the same name.
- Robert Redford, the legendary 87-year-old actor, producer and creator of the Sundance Film Festival among his accomplishments, is well known by horse lovers for his starring roles in the movies “The Electric Horseman” and “The Horse Whisperer.” He writes, “Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember…. This big-hearted animal, moving me along, like it was the most natural thing in the world.”
- William Shatner, the 93-year-old former Captain Kirk, of the Starship Enterprise in the 1970's series, Star Trek, is now breeding, training and riding Saddlebred Horses. He has been for decades. Last year he was inducted into the Horse and Pony Hall of Fame during the Kentucky State Fair.
Can you think of more celebrities who ride? It is sure to be a long list if you think back through all the movies where there are actors riding and you dig into their lives with horses!
You can find more interesting stories in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.
