Who Is Donna Cheek? The Woman Who Created History in the U.S. Equestrian Team

It is no surprise to find Donna Cheek’s name in US Equestrian Magazine as a part of Black History Month. Call her a hunter, or jumper, Cheek’s supportive parents turned her dream into reality. As the magazine chronicles the influential legacies of some of the most celebrated equestrians, how can it miss out on the woman who made history as the first Black equestrian to join the U.S. Equestrian Team in 1981?

Acknowledging their instrumental and accomplished trajectories in thoroughbred racing, the first story is dedicated to none other than Donna Cheek. From the little girl who collected plastic horses to getting inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, Cheek’s legacy is a script many directors would like to steal. This article delves into the struggles that turned into an unforgettable legacy.

The ‘Black equestrian’ is an inspiration to every equestrian out there

The official Twitter handle of US Equestrian, which is the National Governing Body of Equestrian Sports in the US, shared the very first story to celebrate Black History Month. Sharing the excerpt which was published in the winter issue of US Equestrian, it is a tale that recounts the legacy of Black equestrian Donna Cheek.

The caption reads, “US Equestrian is proud to celebrate Black History Month and share the stories of Black equestrians. To kick off the month, we spotlight pioneering Black equestrian Donna Cheek.”  The published article is titled, “Catch Riding Through Life,” as Donna Cheek engages in an exclusive interview with sports historian Denise Quirk. She gives insights into the ‘equine mind’, which enabled her to take long strides in this field. A passion that she calls, “God-given”, got her inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Donna’s journey with the US Equestrian team initiated way back in 1981 as the first black member. She won the 4 place at the World Jumping Championship in 1982. With almost 50 years of experience in this field, she started taking riding lessons at the mere age of seven.

Interestingly, none of her parents were into riding, but it was them who worked hard towards her dreams. Her mother drove her to the riding lessons. Once Donna Cheek revealed that she wasn’t even aware who taught her to hook up a trailer or even how to pull a horse trailer. “All I know is that my parents did whatever it took to make things happen for their children,” she stated in a previous interview.

Wondering what’s her favorite horse? Here is a woman who feels that she can’t have a favorite because whatever horse comes to her life, career, or business, is “so individual”. The equestrian, who has closely worked with top trainers in the US, considers it a joy and pleasure to be in the realm with the horses, something only an ardent horse lover could understand.

Donna Cheek keeps going back to the horses!

Donna Cheek was presented with the Ethos Award in 2022, which is given to Black pioneers in the world of thoroughbred racing. Not only this, in 2017, she received the Trailblazer Courage Award from the Women’s Sports Museum in Sarasota. It’s an honor that she doesn’t take lightly.

While her Olympic dream remained out of reach, she has overcome various odds in this field with her tenacious spirit. Talking about becoming a member of the US Equestrian Team in ’81, she adds, “I don’t think I’ve ever felt more patriotic. When you are on the world stage, that’s when you feel the most proud to represent your country… That is really powerful, and not everyone has the opportunity to do that.”

Here’s the best moment of her life. She also ran a consignment business and training center in Paso Robles. This was the time when she felt like she was running an orphanage for equines. The horses, rejected by some other place, found a forever home due to Cheek’s humble efforts. She believes, “Rejection doesn’t define a horse.”

Read more: As Paris Olympics 2024 Nears, Equestrian Star Credits Success to His Team After Securing A Qualification

Today, she is working as a public broadcaster, but a retirement from thoroughbred racing is impossible for her. She may have retired multiple times in her career, but the horses kept calling her back in many ways. And well, she always goes back. The reason is simple – horses are a “deep, deep part” of everything she is.

Breaking barriers, Donna Cheek’s equestrian legacy indeed marks her as an unstoppable force. Like every other equestrian, she swears by what she says: “For me, a successful person is a person that gives back at every opportunity they are given, even if it is during the time they are striving to reach their own goal.”

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