Beezie Madden is the Oldest Female Athlete on Team USA

From Town & Country

Beezie Madden will join her fourth Olympic show jumping team next month, and T&C had the chance to speak with the 52-year-old equestrian. Madden, who made her grand prix debut in 1985, is currently in the final stages of training in Europe. She spoke to us from Holland.

How are you preparing?

We've had an observation round already and team was selected. Last week we were in Aachen, Germany with the team as a last prep show. We were second in the Nations Cup there, and I was 7th in the grand prix, the final event, so we had a very good show there. Now my horse [Cortes 'C,' a Belgian warmblood] is getting a few days of light work or break and then he'll have a couple more jumping sessions before he goes to Rio, and that's about it. He gets exercised about once or twice a day to keep his fitness.

What are you most excited about?

I'm excited about our team. I think we have a really good team. All five, even our alternate, is a very strong combination. If all goes well and we have a little luck, we have a good chance at the gold.

What are you looking forward to?

The competition itself. We have other major championships but I'd say the Olympics is really the pinnacle of what we do and why we do it. You feel so patriotic competing for your country, and the most media attention we get happens around the Olympic Games.

What are you worried about?

The biggest worry we have is keeping the horse healthy because there's so much that can go wrong with an animal. You can't tell them, "It's the Olympic Games and you have to be ready!"

Are you nervous about Rio itself? There's been a lot of coverage of issues that city is facing-the polluted water, the crime, etc.?

I don't think our venue has a problem with the water. In our sport we travel all over the world, and we always have issues that we work out for the horse and for ourselves. I don't anticipate it being any different. And my team has already been in Rio traveling around, looking at horses. I'm obviously not going to go out on the street by myself, but I think the International Federation has done everything to make our venue safe for our horses. I'm not any more worried than I would be going to some other country.

How have the Olympics changed-both for your sport and overall?

I think for our sport it's become more worldwide. There are so many more teams competing for spots to go to the Olympic Games. And it's also become a bit more modernized-the materials are lighter so it's easier to knock the rails down, which makes it more difficult to jump the courses. I think the level of riders and competition has risen. And it's the same in general for the Olympic Games-the technology has modernized, and I think a lot of sports have become more competitive.

What's your advice for younger riders?

I'd say if you find something you have a passion for, go for it. I feel like I had a lot of opportunities in my career. But you make your own opportunities when you make yourself available and show that you really want to do well in your career, and that's how I made it.

What's the craziest thing that's happened at the Olympics for you?

In London our venue was in a park and it was raised up on the a platform built up off the grass, which was kind of neat. The whole arena and stabling for the horses was all on a platform because they had to save the grass for the park.

Thanks, and good luck!