Lucas Porter: Up-and-coming US show jumper with great ambitions and international success

Who is Lucas Porter?

Lucas Porter is an American show jumper who was born on September 1, 1997 in San Antonio, Texas. He comes from a horse-loving family, and his parents, Suzanne and BG Porter, encouraged him and his brother Wilton early in their riding careers. Lucas made a name for himself through success in the junior class and won the individual gold medal at the North American Junior Championships in 2014. He told us what drives him when we visited him at Sleepy P Ranch in Weerselo, the Netherlands:

Lucas is trained by the renowned trainer Jeroen Dubbeldam an Olympic and multiple World and European Champion. Through this collaboration, Lucas splits his time between the USA and the Netherlands, where he continues to develop his riding skills and compete internationally in show jumping. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a degree in History, he is now fully focused on his equestrian career with the goal of establishing himself among the best show jumpers in the world.

The early introduction to equestrian sport

Lucas began his riding career on a pony called Chessie and was taught by his mother. These early years were often spent with his father on long gallops across the Texas ranch, which cemented his enthusiasm for horses. The big breakthrough came when Lucas took over the reins of the horse Phineas, previously owned by his older brother Wilton had previously been trained by his older brother Wilton. Together with Phineas, Lucas burst onto the show jumping scene and experienced one of his greatest successes to date when he won the individual gold medal at the 2014 North American Junior Championships - on the same day that his brother also took gold in the Young Rider Division. This extraordinary achievement put the Porter brothers in the international equestrian spotlight.

The step to Europe: collaboration with Jeroen Dubbeldam

At the end of 2015, Lucas had the opportunity to take his career to the next level. He began training under the guidance of Olympic champion and multiple world and European champion Jeroen Dubbeldam to train. Dubbeldama true legend of the sport, helped Lucas to hone his riding skills and prepare for the demands of the international elite. To learn from Dubbeldam's expertise and network, Lucas decided to split his time between the USA and the Netherlands. This decision marked a decisive step in his career, bringing him to the European showgrounds and enabling him to establish himself at international level.

Education and equestrian sport: the balancing act

Although Lucas enjoyed great success in equestrian sports at an early age, he decided not to neglect his schooling. He studied history at the renowned Vanderbilt University in the USA and graduated with a bachelor's degree. During this time, he managed to find an impressive balance between his academic life and his sporting career. His weeks were often strictly organized: During the winter, he studied Monday through Wednesday and then flew to Florida to compete during the Winter Equestrian Festival. On Sundays, he would return to Nashville to focus on his studies again. This discipline and dedication, both academically and athletically, set Lucas Porter apart as an exceptional young athlete.

Long-term ambitions: On the way to the top of the world

After graduating from university, Lucas is now fully dedicated to his riding career. He has big goals for the future: Lucas wants to win an individual medal at an international championship and be one of the best show jumpers in the world in the long term. His dream is to one day be in the top 10 of the world rankings. With his determination, his passion for the sport and the support of a dedicated team, Lucas is well on the way to achieving these goals.

The influence of Jeroen Dubbeldam

The collaboration with Jeroen Dubbeldam has had a decisive influence on Lucas' career. Dubbeldamwho acts as both coach and mentor to Lucas, has not only taught him the technical intricacies of riding, but also the mental aspect of the sport. Dubbeldam's focus on strategic planning and mental strength has helped Lucas take his riding to a new level. Dubbeldam has also given him valuable insight into the business of equestrian sports, from preparing a horse for an important show to dealing with potential buyers.

Personal passion and motivation

Lucas Porter is not only a talented rider, but also someone who is driven by a deep passion for horses. Although he is still young, he has already built an impressive career and pursues his goals with an admirable dedication. For Lucas, it's not just about winning in competition, but also about building a real connection with his horses and being recognized as a horseman. His long-term ambition to join the ranks of the best riders in the world reflects his determination to not only succeed in the sport, but to leave a lasting impression.

Conclusion

Lucas Porter is undoubtedly a rising star in international equestrian sport. With his exceptional discipline, talent and passion for horses, he has already achieved impressive successes and has great ambitions for the future. Supported by his brother Wiltonhis family and the training of Jeroen DubbeldamLucas Porter is at the beginning of a promising career that will certainly lead him to many more successes.