\ Emerging Equestrian \

By Dorian May

Photography by Nuha Fadera

Meet Alexandra Worthington, a Wellington local who is flying high internationally in competitive show jumping. What began as a typical summer at pony camp in the Hamptons has turned into a passion. Alexandra is equally obsessed with the sport as she is the art of forming a harmonious partnership with her horses.

Despite being blind in her right eye due to a degenerative disease she was born with, Alexandra says she never felt limited; in fact, finding strategies to adapt and figure out methods to overcome has only made her work more creatively. She explains, “Everyone has challenges they must overcome in their own way, whether physical or psychological. For me, right turns are very difficult, so when I make my plan, I leave time to make a couple of extra steps, so little tweaks.”

Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Alexandra began her riding career on the West Coast. Her equitation career took off when she moved East and had the opportunity to develop and show many horses through the equitation ranks, culminating in Reserve Champion honors in the 2018 USEF Dover Medal Finals riding a borrowed horse. “I’m still only 23,” she laughs when asked if she has advice for others in the sport. “It’s taken me longer than some of my peers to be competing consistently at the international level, and of course, that was frustrating at the beginning, but I got there eventually, and you have to just remember if you really want it, it will come just may not be tomorrow.”

After aging out of the junior ranks, Alexandra attended Vanderbilt University on a full academic scholarship, studying Mathematics, Economics, and Computer Science, and became President of Vanderbilt Women in Business. She graduated in 2022 with an early acceptance to Harvard Business School.

Now living in Wellington, Florida, Alexandra’s focus has shifted from the equitation division to the jumper ring. “Disneyland for horse people” is how she describes the Southern Florida community. “Everyone here loves horses as much as you in some way and is unifying.” Her go-to spots are Francos Italian Bistro and The Farm Stand at the Wellington International Grounds.

Training with Declan McGarry of Cloverhill Show Stables, Alexandra is now ranked among the top showjumping athletes in the country and world and has no plans of stopping. This has been a breakout year at the FEI level for Alexandra with her top mount De L’oiseliere, including podium finishes in 1.55m CSI 3* Grand Prix, multiple 1.45m CSI 2* Grand Prix, and a win in 1.50m CSI 3* LR competition. She was one of 32 riders worldwide to be invited to compete in the Under-25 at CHI Geneva last December, finishing 4th in Coupe Defender and 2nd in Prix Defender. Alexandra was delighted with the positive team spirit she experienced among the riders in these three weeks abroad and explains that in one of the few sports where all sexes compete equally, the real competition is always yourself. While there still are far fewer females ranked in the top 50 of the world, there seems no need to level the playing field by segregating men and women. “We are always treated equally, she says, smiling confidently, “but it reminds you how important it is to support other up-and-comer female jumpers in the sport.” 

As for her own future, Alexandra says it is her dream to represent her country abroad or at a Nations Cup. “It is hard to look too far ahead considering all of the variables, especially working with animals,” the most rewarding part of her daily devotion.