COVERSTORY  06.24

Hannah Selleck

Riding a Special Cloud

Story by Diana Addison
Photography by Boone Studios

Hannah Selleck is one of those rare people who invites respect in every corner of the world. Whether she’s just entering a room or riding her horse in an arena with thousands of spectators watching her show jump at the highest international levels, the reception she receives is unanimously complimentary.

Part of it stems from Hannah always conducting herself with enormous dignity. There’s a regal presence about her which is humanized by her genuine interest in others, her unwavering sincerity, and a healthy dose of humility.

Our timing in celebrating Hannah in this cover story is pertinent. As the 2024 Paris Olympic trials build toward their climax, Hannah’s successes in horse show jumping have everyone watching her ascension with bated breath.

2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in the same sport, Will Simpson, offered this accurate assessment of why Hannah is exceling:

‘Hannah brings so many diverse equestrian experiences to the show ring, starting with the discipline and style of the equestrian ring all the way to the excitement and unpredictability of breeding and starting young horses. These life-long horseback experiences give Hannah the ability to know how the horse is going to react before the horse reacts. You couple all these experiences with talent and a work ethic second to none and you have a rider with all the skills to make it to the top of the sport and stay there!’

It’s not surprising that the mutual admiration between Will Simpson and Hannah Selleck has been intact for decades. Hannah traveled to Hong Kong for the 2008 Beijing Olympics to watch Will ride his way to gold medal victory. She’s always been a conscientious and assiduous studier of the best athletes in her sport, and she absorbs every detail she’s learned along the way.

Like most things in life, behind every successful story, there’s a solid bedrock from which talent can flourish. Hannah describes where her story began:

“I grew up on a ranch in Westlake Village, CA. It was a lovely childhood with lots of love and animals: horses, cows, sheep, dogs, cats, and bunnies. Besides my half-brother, I am an only child, so I spent much time on the ranch outside, exploring and caring for the animals. My parents encouraged me to do many sports and activities, such as soccer, ballet, and piano. Finally, it came down to ballet or riding, and I chose the riding because of my love for the horses. I was lucky to always be encouraged to find my passion and work hard. Having this drive was inherent from my parents.”

We delve into more depth about the DNA and work ethic in the Selleck home, and Hannah confirms my theories on the advantages of having two highly accomplished parents. Hannah’s mom, Jillie Mack, was a gifted, hard-working professional dancer, and dad, Tom Selleck, has enjoyed a prolific acting career in Magnum P.I., Blue Bloods and Jesse Stone, to name a few.

Hannah speaks with her signature humility:

“Both my parents are hard workers, and I was lucky enough to have them encourage me to find my passion and to pursue it. I have always had their unconditional support and I think I inherited some of their grit. My mom grew up in a small town in England and excelled at ballet. She had a ton of drive and grit and was determined to make it to the top. My dad, too, is a hard worker who puts everything he has into his craft.”

The USA Jumping Team at the Longines League of Nations™ in Abu Dhabi. From left, Callie Schott, Aaron Vale, Alise Oken and Hannah Selleck. Photo credit- FEI / Liz Gregg

Cloud gives me the feeling he would do anything for me. He always tries his best, and we have gotten to know each other well. He has allowed me to consistently get in the ring at the 5-star level of the sport. This consistency is something I have craved my whole career

Hannah has loved horses lifelong.

“For as long as I can remember,” she recalls, “some of my first horse experiences would have been around the western trail horses on the ranch and on the set of my dad’s western movies. I must have only been about a year old when my mom and I visited dad on the set of Quigley Down Under in Australia. I took my first riding lesson at age four at Foxfield Riding School locally, just a few miles from the ranch, and I was immediately hooked. My love of horses is what drew me to the sport of jumping, and then I got hooked on the competition, winning, and also losing because without that, winning would not be so sweet.”

We fast forward to the significant year that 2024 is turning out to be for Hannah. Unlike most sports, success in show jumping is not only dependent on the athlete’s ability, but the second athlete, the all-important horse. Hannah’s relationship with her new horse, Cloud 39, is turning out to be a match made in heaven.

“Cloud 39 is a special horse,” she says with visibly strong meaning. “I was lucky enough to start riding him in November 2022 while working with coach Mario Deslauriers. I had been working with Mario for about six months. Cloud was a former mount of Mario’s, and I saw an opportunity to ride him when Mario offered him for sale to another rider, but that sale did not work out.”

“Cloud is challenging and unconventional yet very kind and brave with so much scope (power). He has had a great foundation with a seasoned, successful, and stylish rider, Mario, since he was eight years old (he’s now 13). Mario’s instruction to me to get to know this horse was invaluable for our success. I am forever grateful to Mario and the Deslauriers Family for the opportunity with this incredible partner.”

It takes very little coaxing to have Hannah expand on the exceptional qualities in this horse.

“Cloud gives me the feeling he would do anything for me,” she says gratefully. “He always tries his best, and we have gotten to know each other well. He has allowed me to consistently get in the ring at the 5-star level of the sport. This consistency is something I have craved my whole career.”

Their trajectory this past year is summed up here:

“We jumped our first 5-star Grand Prix over the summer at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. Then we continued from there to jump the Queen’s Cup $1,000,000, qualifying for the 2nd round and finishing 11th. From there we jumped the $3 million Rolex Grand Slam in September – finishing as the highest placed U.S. horse and rider combination in the class – at the Spruce Meadows Masters.”

The famous bright scarlet jacket (known as the ‘Pinque’) is only worn by riders who have attained National Title Class. It’s like the famous green jacket that golfers wear when they’ve won the Masters in their sport. Hannah achieved her dream a year ago and she describes it as an all-important milestone:

“Cloud helped me achieve a long-time goal of getting to put on the coveted ‘Pinque’ coat for the U.S. Team, first in Spain and Portugal this past fall 2023, where we won the bronze at both team events and we placed 2nd in the 3-star Grand Prix in Vejer de la Frontera – putting in a double clear round effort in this class that was an Olympic qualifier for many European riders. Again, we got named on a Nations Cup team, this time at the senior level in Abu Dhabi, the first stop of the newly launched Longines League of Nations.”

Both my parents are hard workers, and I was lucky enough to have them encourage me to find my passion and to pursue it. I have always had their unconditional support and I think I inherited some of their grit. My mom grew up in a small town in England and excelled at ballet. She had a ton of drive and grit and was determined to make it to the top. My dad, too, is a hard worker who puts everything he has into his craft

Hannah’s passion continues as she describes the intimate details that forge an exceptionally special horse rider relationship.

“Cloud and I work well together because he enjoys having a light female rider. It gives him more freedom in his body, and he can stay more relaxed. I have ridden all types of horses as a junior, amateur, and professional, and all that experience has given me tools to navigate riding Cloud. The more I trusted Cloud to navigate some of these biggest tracks in our sport, the more I began to believe in myself. Our confidence grew together, and we make a great team.”

Hannah’s recognition of the importance of the moment is displayed in her determination to extract everything she can from her current run with Cloud.

“There’s a component that comes out of necessity,” she explains. “I saw this huge opportunity with Cloud and a horse of his talent. I have never had the opportunity to ride a horse of his talent and ability, so with that shot, I knew I better give it EVERYTHING I had because this might be the only opportunity in my career. This pressure is a privilege, and I am one of the lucky ones who gets to feel it.”

I ask Hannah how she deals with the stress of the high stakes in international competition where so many things can go wrong in two minutes for the horse and the rider. She responds unhesitatingly.

“It’s an absolute rush, and I love it. Some days, it’s about being brave and shutting out that voice in your head of what would happen if something went wrong. I consciously block that out by focusing on what can go right, and with that psychological shift, you are more likely to have the round of your life. We are always one moment away from a breakthrough, so I stay in that mindset. My trajectory with Cloud has taught me this.”

Lifestyle is a key component of a world-class athlete’s success, and Hannah describes what it takes to perform at that level:

“Before and after competition, I stick to a regimented routine with myself as an athlete and Cloud as my equine partner. I focus on getting enough sleep. Rest and recovery are just as important as training. I lift weights with a trainer, spin, run, and balance it out with yoga and meditation. The latter two really help me with stress. Preparation is key and doing the work daily is important so that when it’s Grand Prix Day, we are ready.”

I love Tahiti, and any tropical island atmosphere where you can get off the treadmill, exhale and completely relax. I’ve traveled extensively with riding, and I’ve also been able to enjoy some wonderful visits across the world with destination weddings. One was in Positano, Italy

Hannah has also learned to master the pressure of the moment as she and Cloud enter the Grand Prix show ring.

“The goal in the ring is that state of flow where you are just being super present, aware, and in the moment, but not reactive. You have to ride the course jump by jump and stride by stride. We plan weeks out for those 2 minutes in the competition arena. I like to visualize my goals, immediate and long-term. What does each step on the course look like to jump the clear round? How does the wind feel on my face and the crowd in the stadium sound? What does it feel like to climb the podium and hoist up the trophy? I especially love to do these visualizations while in movement, like spinning.”

Hannah is also realistically aware of the danger in her sport, and she has coping mechanisms for that.

“Riding is a dangerous sport, and if my mind ever wanders into anxiety and fear, I bring it back to the present by connecting with Cloud, putting my hand on his neck, and dialing back into what’s right in front of me.”

The temperature rises as we discuss what it will take to make it to the Olympics.

“Only the best in our country is selected for the USA jumping team in the Olympics,” Hannah explains firmly. “You must be a great rider with championship experience, have the proper horsepower underneath you, and some luck. This Olympics, horsepower will come into play. Some countries have exceptional riders from which to select, but these riders need the proper mount. The games come every four years, so having the right horse at the right time takes some planning and luck. Each country has its own team selection criteria, but the U.S. will make a short list based on ranking and a few committee-chosen spots. The shortlist will be given a set of observation events to compete at, and the team will be chosen from there. The horse needs to be sound and in good health, and so does the rider. My future dream for Cloud and me is to make that shortlist, so let’s see what happens.”

The exceptional discipline that is innate in Hannah extends to her eating plan.

“I have to be much more regimented than usual when I’m competing at this level. I can’t have wine at dinner in this peak phase so I’m less likely to be very social because sticking to a healthy routine and getting plenty of sleep is very important. I never want to be too rigid, though. If I’m craving something, I’ll have it for lunch. For instance, I love carbs, especially pasta. Generally, though, I stay in the health zone because it works for me. That includes eating the right proteins, choosing natural ingredients, and staying away from processed foods.”

Hannah has always been altruistic. For the past eight years, she has been a valuable supporter of Brooke USA, who do great work worldwide for horses, donkeys and riders. Their work is especially important to families who rely on donkeys to get their day’s work done. They ensure that the donkeys have a harness that fits correctly. The wrong equipment harms them. They also take care of their nutrition to make sure they lead longer, healthier lives. It’s a win, win because then the people who own the donkeys can increase their sustainable income with healthier working animals. The welfare of both humans and animals is important.”

To be one of the three riders chosen for an Olympics is my ultimate dream. I’m very aware that I have the right horse now and that’s always the tricky aspect of an equestrian career – having the right horse at the right time

I venture onto the important topic of a male suitor who is worthy of Hannah’s love. She responds to my direct question realistically.

“I’m not off the market,” she muses, “but I’m also not looking right now. If something were to click with someone, it would have to be seamlessly because my entire focus is on achieving my horse-riding goals with Cloud. I think it’s sensible to not try to bridge both relationships because one of them will not get the time it deserves. I’m sure that will shift, and it could be very temporary. Of course, I would love someone special to be in my life.”

I encourage Hannah to dream a bit more – away from her routine and strict schedule. I ask her – if she could go anywhere in the world for relaxation – where she would choose.

“Let’s definitely fantasize,” she laughs. “Traveling without the horses is a luxury.

I love Tahiti, and any tropical island atmosphere where you can get off the treadmill, exhale and completely relax. I’ve traveled extensively with riding, and I’ve also been able to enjoy some wonderful visits across the world with destination weddings. One was in Positano, Italy, and I’ve been to some beautiful locations in Mexico. I have friends, too, who have moved to Bali, and I’m looking forward to visiting them one day. There is no likelihood of any of that happening until the fall of this year,” she emphasizes.

For now, Hannah’s goal is to get on another Senior Nations Cup team. She talks about her future:

“To be one of the three riders chosen for an Olympics is my ultimate dream,” she says with cautionary words. “I’m very aware that I have the right horse now and that’s always the tricky aspect of an equestrian career – having the right horse at the right time.”

Now, she’s looking forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Equestrian athletes have much longer careers than most other athletes.

Hannah’s accomplishments go way beyond riding. She has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University, and she’s almost completed her master’s degree in business administration (MBA) at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. She’s astutely acquiring qualification tools that will serve her well if there are opportune possibilities with sponsors and investors.

It seems so appropriate that Hannah’s dreams are being realized with a horse named Cloud. Children often stare up at the clouds in the sky and visualize floating to a place where their wishes can come true. Time has been kind to this beautifully talented duo. Most importantly, Hannah’s life story is a valuable confirmation of the power of passion, perseverance, and performance. The real beauty, ultimately, lies in the majestic confluence of hers and Cloud’s athletic and emotional union – and watching them is an art form.