In 1981, Donna Marie Cheek became the first black member of the U.S. Equestrian Team.
Hunter/Jumper trainer Donna Cheek has been riding and competing for 42 years and has worked with top trainers from the United States and Europe. She most recently closed her private training facility in Paso Robles, California after a successful eight year run to start EquineTrainersNewsletter.com, an innovative online marketing system designed for equine trainers. Currently she is a contributing host on KCBX public radio, Animal Issue and Ideas.
Donna represented Adolph Coors as a member of the Outstanding Talent Family, which toured the United States performing as an exhibition rider and lecturing at inner city schools. In addition, she represented Nabisco Brands Inc. as a motivational speaker to youth groups and women’s organizations. In 1994 NBC Television aired “One More Hurdle,” the Donna Cheek story in which Ms. Cheek starred.
The after school special earned an N.A.A.C.P. Image Award and also a Bronze Halo Award. Ms. Cheek represented the United States in Mexico City for the American Junior Show Jumping Championships, which was the first time a Black rider (male or female) had ever ridden for the U.S. Internationally in Show Jumping history.
She has won many awards within and outside of the horse industry and was the first equestrian to be inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Distinction in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
*Host of KCBX public radio Animal Issues and Ideas
*Created EquinetrainersNewsletter.com
*Owned & operated Equine Consign, a successful horse consignment and training facility
*Exhibition Rider and Role Model for RJR Nabisco Brands Inc.
*Exhibition Rider and motivational speaker for Adolph Coors Outstanding Talent Family
*Selected to represent the United States at the 1992 American Show Jumping Championships
*California Exposition Champion and winner of the F.B. Hart Perpetual Trophy
*American Horses Shows Association Medal Champion
*Starred in “One More Hurdle” the Donna Cheek story for NBC television
*Won the Southern California Motion Picture Council, Bronze Halo Award for “One More Hurdle”
*Inducted in 1997 into the Women’s Sports Hall of distinction
*Spokesperson for “Going for the Gold-The Story of Black Women in Sports” Publication and film by Carnation Co.
*Spokesperson for Involvement for Young Achievers, Inc.
*Listed in “Who’s Who among Black Americans” publication
*Listed in “Outstanding Young Women of America” publication
*Appeared in NBC television commercial “Profiles in Pride”
Source: Donna Cheek
Black Female Equestrians 