Racing In The... Olympic Park! Heiress Athina Onassis de Miranda competes against Bruce Springsteen's daughter Jessica in showjumping event

PUBLISHED: 14:07 EST, 6 June 2013 | UPDATED: 08:05 EST, 7 June 2013

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One's a billionaire heiress, and the other is the only daughter of one of rock and roll's most legendary performers.

But when Athina Onassis de Miranda and Jessica Springsteen put on their equestrian whites at Olympic Park on Thursday, they became just two showjumpers competing for the top prize.

Taking part in the Global Champions tour - in which British Olympic winners Nick Skelton and Scott Brash are also competing - Athina and Jessica were cheered on by their loved ones, including The Boss himself.

Competitors: Jessica Springsteen and Athina Onassis take part in the Global Champions tour at Olympic Park

Proud dad: Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa watch their daughter compete in the international equestrian tournament

Bruce and his wife Patti Scialfa - a member of his infamous E Street Band - watched from a VIP table as his only child competed in the international show jumping competition.

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The 21-year old has been riding since she was 15 and narrowly missed out on a place in the USA Olympic squad last year.

She was riding her horse Murka Vindicat W - bought for her dad after last year's Olympic games - who won gold with British rider Peter Charles in the 2012 Olympics, Britain's first team showjumping gold medal since 1952.

Still going strong: Bruce and Patti have been married for 22 years having first me at the Stone Pony club in New Jersey during the early '80s

Only child: Bruce bought Jessica her prize-winning horse, from Briton Peter Charles

Relaxed: Jessica looked cheerful ass he walked around the Olympic park with a friend

Jessica looked cheery as she walked around the competitive field, wearing her long hair down and a grey sweater over her whites, but on the course her face was steely with determination.

The pretty brunette inherited her love of horses from her mother, Patti, 59, who raised her at the family’s Stone Hill Farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey.

On a break from her studies in psychology at Duke University, Jessica may well be staying around to watch her father perform in front of 50,000 fans as part of Hard Rock Calling, in three weeks time.

Entertainer: Jessica keeps her family and friends entertained after competing

Feeling better: Athina had recovered from a spinal injury she sustained last November

Sole heiress: Onassis is the only surviving relative of the Aristotle the Greek shipping magnate

Athina, 28, returned to competitive action after recovering from a spinal injury after she fell from her horse last November.

'It is a very bad injury but we are happy, it could have been much worse,' her husband and fellow showjumper Alvaro Affonso de Miranda Neto, known as 'Doda', said at the time of the accident.

Alvaro, 40, is now her only family, as Athina is the only surviving descendant of her grandfather, Greek shipping heir Aristotle Onassis. International competition: The Greek showjumper took on riders from around the world

International competition: The Greek showjumper took on riders from around the world

Thoroughbred: Athina rode AD Camille Z, while Jessica competed with Murka Vindicat W

The equestrian tournament is the first professional sporting event in the Olympic Park since the Paralympics.

Bruce is in the country as he gears up to perform at Isle Of Wight festival, as well as Hard Rock Calling.

Joining the American rocker on Sunday June 15 at Olympic Park will be The Black Crowes, Alabama Shakes, Zac Brown Band, Negramaro, Deaf Havana, The Temperance Movement, Negramaro, Josh Doyle, Cody ChesnuTT, Josh Record and Crowns.

Medal-winner: Jessica's horse won an Olympic gold for Team GB at London 2012

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10 days and counting.

- wildbilly , greasy lake, 08/6/2013 20:53

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most factually inaccurate article ive ever read. missed the fact he has three kids, hes not a member of the e street band its bruce plus the band. he is playing Wembley and the other side of the Olympic park in two weeks (hopefully checking the place out!)

- Lee Faichney , London, United Kingdom, 08/6/2013 17:08

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I wish I was Jessica Springsteen and had a father who could afford to purchase me the best horses and riding instruction in the world (I mean this seriously, I love horses and love to ride) it must be nice!

- chloe7124 , NJ, United States, 08/6/2013 03:32

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Flower, there are so many people in this world to feel sorry for, why to feel sorry for Athina? Her tragedies were left behind her and Doda, her husband is that kind of man that even the haters can't criticise: the guy is a gentleman, makes her really happy and nobody doubts that he truly loves her. - Diana , london, United Kingdom, ______________________ I heard he dumped his ex Cibele Dorsa and he and Athena took her two children away from her, one of whom he wasn't even the father of. And that she killed herself as a result. He doesn't sound like that much of a gentleman to me.

- someone , somewhere, 08/6/2013 02:16

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1%ers

- music , Dallas, 08/6/2013 01:05

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I feel extremely sorry for Athina. Yes she has more money than my mind can comprehend but how lonely a life she must have experienced. By all accounts her childhood was rather tragic and never without being accompanied by ten armed guards. She can never and will never be 100% sure if people truly care about her or just have ulterior motives. It would be nice to see her truly happy. Believe me money helps but it saves none of us from tragedy and pain. - Flower, USA, United States, 6/6/2013 22:28>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Flower, there are so many people in this world to feel sorry for, why to feel sorry for Athina? Her tragedies were left behind her and Doda, her husband is that kind of man that even the haters can't criticise: the guy is a gentleman, makes her really happy and nobody doubts that he truly loves her.

- Diana , london, United Kingdom, 08/6/2013 00:36

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Sad for Athena that she has a father who claimed to despise her mother's money, yet turned around and fought his own daughter for part of the inheritance. Its good to see her living her life so well. Wishing her continued happiness.

- Lurelei , Monterey, United States, 07/6/2013 21:32

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As well as all the other mistakes people have identified, as a keen horsey person I would like to point out that the horse Jessica is riding in those photos is NOT Vindicat, the horse she bought from GB rider Peter Charles :-)

- Someone , Anywhere, 07/6/2013 20:13

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This article is full of mistakes. Bruce is not playing at IOW Festival either, He IS playing Wembley Stadium next weekend, but that doesn't get a mention.

- Jo , Oxford, 07/6/2013 20:09

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Oh my, a celeb's child actually doing something for themselves and living like human beings! What a breath of fresh air, to see they are not living off the coat-tails of their famous parents. Goes to show how far one can stretch a humble, ordinary beginning without getting lost in fame and fortune.

- Appelina , Big Apple, 07/6/2013 19:37

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