Candice King Bio

Born: December 20, 1969

Residence: Wellington, Florida

Horse: Tarco (10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding; owned by Joan Kalman)

A grand prix competitor for almost two decades, the accomplished Candice King has been in the saddle since she was a toddler. After a brief stint in the Western divisions, King made a seamless transition to hunters and jumpers, finally making her debut on the American Grand Prix Association (AGA) circuit at the age of 19. To date, two of her most notable accomplishments include the distinction of being the top-placed U.S. rider at the 2001 FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, and in 2001, became the first U.S. rider to win the 2001 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International Horse Show (CSIO-Hickstead) in England since Mary Chapot’s 1968 victory, the year before King was born. King has gone on to compete in 13 Nations Cups, the first of which was in Toronto in 1990.  So far during this year’s Samsung Super League season, King has witnessed success as part of the U.S. team that finished second in Rome, Italy. 

So far in 2008, highlights have included a win during the third week of the Winter Equestrian Festival, in the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup with Rupert and 2007 was also a productive year for King, she won the $75,000 Grand Prix at the New York Horse and Pony Show with Tarco in the fall.

In 2006, King made her way across the show circuit, pairing up with Verelst Camillo V to bring in a sixth place finish at the $75,000 Cosequin Florida Open, CSI-W and a fifth place finish at the Winter Equestrian Festival Challenge Cup in Wellington, Florida, riding Tarco. King also placed third in a grand prix competition at CSI-W Las Vegas riding Coco Cabana.  Earlier this year, King and Tarco qualified for the short list for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Other highlights from King’s career include a first place finish in the six bar competition at CSIO***** Rotterdam in 2004 and a second at the 2003 Nations Cup at CSIO***** Falsterbo, Sweden, where she also placed second in the Derby at Falsterbo, besting a field of show jumping’s top stars, including three-time World Cup Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and 1996 Olympic double-Gold medalist Ulrich Kirchhoff of Germany.  King currently holds the record with the (AGA) for placing first through fourth in the Merrill Lynch Cleveland Grand Prix in 2002.

King makes her home with husband Brandon King and their daughter, Alex. When not in the saddle, King enjoys water skiing, playing tennis and reading.