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Representing the U.S. in an international
competition for the first time, the 21-year-old took a small
step towards easing out of the huge shadow cast by her late
father with a confident, controlled performance.
She has a long way to go to establish her name in her own right,
however, if Friday is any evidence to go by.
Brazil's Marlon Zanotelli won gold, Argentina's Jose Larocca the
silver and U.S. veteran Breezie Madden the bronze but the
biggest media scrum was around fifth-placed Jobs.
To the disappointment of many in the media pack, though, Jobs
does not talk about her father.
It is a rule followed by two other up-and-coming young riders
she often competes against, Jennifer Gates, daughter of
Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Jessica Springsteen, daughter
of rocker Bruce Springsteen.
All three, according to those working in the tight knit
equestrian community, are driven to walk their own path and be
recognized for their own accomplishments.
No questions about Steve Jobs are the ground rules going into
any interview, including those conducted in the Pan Am Games
mixed zone.
Such transgressions, however, will be harder to deflect if Jobs
lives up to the greatness predicted for her.
Competing in a sport where careers can span decades, Jobs now
has her sights on fighting for a spot on the 2020 Olympic team.
Madden, who has participated in four Olympics for the U.S.
winning four medals including team gold in 2004, believes Jobs
and her mount Venue d'Fees des Hazalles are already Olympic
calibre.
"I thought she (Jobs) handled it (Pan Ams) outstandingly as she
has in every competition this year," Madden told Reuters.
"I think she has jumped double clear in every team competition
she has been in this year for us, and I think that says a lot
for her level-headedness and ability to concentrate and produce
under pressure.
"This was difficult today and she is right in there with the top
people."
Like many athletes uncomfortable with anything encroaching on
their private lives, Jobs talked about the technical details or
her performance and heaped praise on others -- in this case her
team mates and her horse.
"I've had her for two years now and she has taken me to a new
level in the sport," said Jobs. "I owe her everything.
"She just gives me so much confidence I am so proud of the
partnership we have. It is an honor to represent my country
always and we had a great team.
"This is my first time at a team championship and that comes
with pressure and I think just getting to jump here and jump for
my country with team mates, I have learned so much."
(Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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