Name: Jessica G Heidemann
City: Bellingham State: WA
Date of Birth: 4/19/80
Gender: Female
FAMILY INFORMATION:
Marital Status: Single
Profession: Horse trainer / computer tech
CURRENT HORSE(s):
Name: French Twist
Breed: Belgian WB/ TB
YOB: 1991 Height: 16.2 Sex: Gelding/chesnut
Owner(s): Jessica
Heidemann
EDUCATION:
Education Level: BS
Major: Management Information Systems Minor: Math, certificate
in Web Management
MISCELLANEOUS PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Started competing in: (where) Washington State
at
Age: 14
Why did you choose riding?
I always loved horses. I did any summer camp with horses that I could. In 1989
I started taking formal lessons and in 1997 we built our own barn. My sister and I both rode dressage to start and I got in
to eventing in 1996
1st International Competition: NAYRC CCI*
Where: Parker Colorado Month, Year: August 1998
FEI Rank: In 2003 I was ranked 19th, I can't find rankings for 2004 or 2005
Major Sporting Awards:
NAYRC
1998 CCI* individual gold medal,
NAYRC 2000 CCI* team gold medal,
NAYRC 2001 CCI** individual silver medal,
2003
5th place at Fox Hall,
2004 13th place at Rolex,
2005 winner of the Galway Downs CIC*** world cup qualifier.
Major
Non-Sporting Awards: none
CURRENT TRAINERS:
Name:
Melissa Beardsley Eventing/Jumping
Kim VonHopfgarten Dressage
Are you currently on the Training
list for the US Equestrian Team? Yes
Ambitions during sporting career: To represent the US in a team completion and
continue to bring other talented horses to the international level
Where do you hope to compete in 2005?
The World Cup of Eventing in Malmo, Sweden.
Next year? I want to be picked for the World Equestrian Games
team.
Most memorable riding story:
Running around Rolex for the first time. My horse tried so hard and I was so nervous and excited. I really had
fun. The crowds were great. We were coming to the huge drop at the fox's den. Frenchie paused to look down before he jumped
and I said "it's okay buddy, I don't blame you". I didn't realize that the crowd could hear me but they all started laughing.
It made me feel great to be so connected to the people watching you. They all want you to do well.
Current Sponsors:
Kinetic Technologies has been so generous in providing product. Tim and Kathryn Sullivan have also provided amazing support.
Hobbies:
I'm very interested in computers and work a part-time job managing an Electronic Medical Records system. I also
love to downhill ski, hike, and bike.
Spoken Languages: Fluently? Just English. I know a little bit of French from High
School
Superstitions: I'm not very superstitious. I like to walk through the finish flags at the end of my XC and
stadium course.
Most Influential person:
My Sister
Why?
She keeps things in perspective. She understands me and keeps me sane at events. She's very good at stepping
back and seeing the whole forest, not just the trees. I always ask her advice when it comes to which events I should do and
why, who I should talk to when I have questions and how to juggle all of my commitments.
Most looked up to person:
I don't have one. If I need advice on which events to do or who to ride with I look to Amy Tryon and Mellissa
Beardsley because of their vast experience. If I have a problem with my horse I turn to Dr. Mark Revenaugh who has worked
with the Eventing team in the past and is incredibly down-to-earth, thorough, and realistic. My sister keeps me grounded and
helps balance my horse and non-horse life. And my long-time boyfriend provides all of my much-needed advice from a non-horsy
perspective.
