From equestrian to ice: the unconventional path of Johnny Weir

Sport & Games · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before becoming a global figure skating icon, Johnny Weir was a competitive equestrian. This transition from horse to ice provided the unique body awareness that later defined his lyrical, artistic style. He traded his riding career for the rink to focus on a path that eventually led to international success.

Johnny Weir's path to elite skating was non-traditional. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, he won several equestrian competitions before switching to figure skating at age 12. His father, a nuclear power plant engineer, also competed in English saddle events. Weir later credited his time as a rider with providing the essential body awareness required for his skating career. Because his family could not afford to support both sports, he made the difficult decision to quit equestrian to focus entirely on the ice.

His early development was marked by a 'natural talent for jumping.' By age 13, he had already mastered the salchow, the first of his triple jumps. However, his journey was not linear. After a 'disastrous' 2002–2003 season—which included a back injury and a withdrawal from the U.S. Championships—he faced a period of personal failure and a loss of support from the governing body, U.S. Figure Skating. He nearly quit the sport before a 2003 training stint with Russian coach Tatiana Tarasova served as a major turning point.

Weir eventually became known as an 'entertaining artisan,' celebrated for a classical style and unique fashion choices. By securing the 2007 Cup of Russia, he became the initial American victor, while also being the initial man to claim three successive U.S. championships since the 1980s' end. titles. Despite facing homophobic remarks from commentators and conflicts with governing bodies over his outspokenness, Weir became a prominent LGBTQ activist. He transitioned into a primary analyst for NBC, commentating on the sport through the 2022 Beijing Olympics and into 2026.

His career is a study in resilience. After being written off by critics, he returned to win the 2004 U.S. Nationals at age 19, earning a perfect 6.0 for presentation—the first such score for a man at the event since 2000. He balanced this technical mastery with a lyrical artistry that remains a hallmark of his legacy in the sport.

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