BORN INTO SHOW JUMPING

Charlotte Jacobs' life has been shaped by the world of show jumping, a sport that has not only defined her career but also her personal journey. It was through this shared passion that she met her now-husband, Matt Calderwood, just as her parents, Lou and Joan Jacobs, had done before her. With strong family ties to the sport, show jumping has played a central role in shaping her experiences and relationships.



Lou, a multi-generational equestrian, achieved remarkable success for his country, winning multiple Nations Cups, including the coveted Aachen Nations Cup. His career highlights also include a historic victory in the prestigious Hamburg Derby in Germany in 1985, making him the only American ever to do so. Joan, at the pinnacle of her career as a groom, cared for a talented gelding named “The Natural,” whose accomplishments included a triumphant win at the World Cup Finals in Paris in 1987. This remarkable achievement eventually led to his induction into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2016. It was during this time, while touring Europe with Team USA in preparation for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, that Joan and Lou met and fell in love.

Charlotte and Matt met just as Charlotte was making her return to show jumping after completing her studies at the University of Miami. She had taken a break from the sport to fully embrace her college experience, but her passion for show jumping was never far from her mind. Before her college years, Charlotte enjoyed an illustrious career as a junior rider, a success deeply rooted in her family’s longstanding ties to the industry.

Charlotte’s grandparents, from East Aurora, New York, also rode horses and had a farm where Charlotte and her family — uncles, siblings, and cousins — all grew up riding. It’s no surprise that Charlotte says she was born into the sport. “I caught the bug early on,” said Charlotte. “Both of my parents were riding and competing, so being around horses was second nature for me. Some of my favorite memories with my family have involved the horses.” She remembers her first pony fondly. “His name was Lord Finnian,” she said. “He was the sweetest pony and a great teacher.”

Charlotte and her family continue to spend their summers in East Aurora, New York, where their impressive farm serves as a premier training and care facility for North Star’s team. Beyond housing Charlotte’s top FEI horses, the farm plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of show jumpers – a core focus for the Jacobs family in both the U.S. and European show jumping circuits.

While there’s no doubt that horses are in Charlotte’s blood, she says taking a break in her riding during college was, in hindsight, advantageous. “I took a step back for a few years when I went to college, my family and I focused on developing young horses,” she said. “I learned how to be competitive early on, that is something that never left me, the young horses brought me back to the basics and eventually furthered my career.”

Once Charlotte was immersed in the sport again, she and Matt quickly became a close duo known for their seamless working relationship. The pair spent a few seasons in Matt’s home country of Ireland, training with leading horseman and Olympic veteran, Greg Broderick. “My summers spent in Ireland took my riding to the next level,” she said. “Greg really focuses on developing horses in the right way. Each horse is treated as an individual and developed based on their personal needs. He doesn’t push horses to be competitive but rather gives them a positive experience in the ring.”

With Matt at her side as her husband, after marrying in Ireland in the summer of 2023, and barn manager for their operation at North Star Sport Horses, Charlotte continues to be on a similar trajectory to her parents. “I've always looked up to my dad,” she said. “He was able to juggle having a family, working, and riding at a very high level. I still look up to him a lot, and I'm always looking to him for advice.” Working together closely each day, Charlotte and Matthew have produced and sold several young horses together. The partnership consists of Charlotte taking up the reins and Matthew orchestrating behind the scenes. “Thanks to the team around me, I'm able to just focus on my horses and riding, which is really nice,” she said. “To have people around me that are so knowledgeable about the sport has been crucial to my success as a rider. I’m very lucky to have Matt, Greg, my parents and my team — I think we've built something that's really strong.”

In the immediate future, Charlotte aims to build on her experience as a member of Team USA, with hopes of earning more opportunities in Senior Nations Cups. Her crucial role in Team USA’s victory in the Nations Cup during the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival has positioned her well for future selections. With a strong string of horses and an incredibly dedicated team at North Star, Charlotte has her sights set on continued success — ultimately keeping the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a long-term goal. “So much has to go right just for that one moment,” Charlotte said. “If all goes right, of course that would be a dream.”