August 15, 2016 
This week, American show jumper Lucy Davis, 24, jumps on the biggest stage of her career, to date, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As an Olympic rookie, riding on one of the sport’s most competitive teams, the pressure to perform is immense.
And that’s just the way she wants it.
“I always like pressure,” said Davis. “When I first started training with Marcus Ehning, he had to lecture me multiple times about training rounds and how they are just as important as the Grand Prix. But somehow, subconsciously, I always rode best in the bigger classes. I think it’s because I’ve always enjoyed that pressure.”
Davis had her first taste of championship pressure in Normandy, France two years ago. The then-22-year-old was named to the team for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) alongside Olympic veterans McLain Ward and Beezie Madden and world top-10 staple, Kent Farrington. It’s part of a three-veterans-to-one-rookie strategy often employed by chef d’equipe Robert Ridland.
The goal, presumably, is to give up-and-coming talent a chance to compete on the world stage without bearing the brunt of the performance burden. But if you’re the team rookie, does if actually feel like less pressure or is it more?
“It’s both,” said Davis. “Having four Olympics under their belt, Beezie and McLain can share some wisdom so that alleviates pressure. It gives you confidence and support. But then at the same time, you want to perform for them.”
For Davis, WEG didn’t go to plan. The Stanford student (she’s studying architecture) crashed through a big wall on the first day and was unseated. She managed to recover and finish the round on only four faults.
“I was pretty dejected coming out of the ring because it was a pretty obvious mistake. I remember McLain saying, ‘Eh, you had four faults. You continued the course and he jumped great, so you’re good for tomorrow.’ He just kind of shook it off,” she recalled.
“It was a defining moment because I always knew they supported me and wanted me to be on the team and trusted me, but that really showed it.”
The Americans went on to win the team bronze medal at that championship.
In Rio, the same four horses and riders are contesting the Olympic Games. With a championship and two more years experience now under their belt, Davis is confident she and her Olympic partner Barron are better prepared than ever to answer the call.
They’re just waiting for their moment.
“I read the other day an interview with Andrew Luck, the football player. He said pressure is a privilege. I think that’s the best way to put it. What a privilege to have the respect and support of these three riders,” said Davis.
“Night, morning and day, they trust me to do a good job.”
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