Katherine " Kate " Upton (born June 10, 1992) is an American model and actress known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue , first in 2011, when she was named Rookie of the Year, and again in 2012, when she was announced as the cover model.
Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan and raised in Melbourne, Florida . She attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy . [ clarification needed ] Her uncle is Fred Upton , the Republican Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Michigan .
An equestrian, Upton showed for the American Paint Horse Association and competed on a national level. With her horse Roanie Pony, she won three APHA Reserve World Championships, in 13 and Under Western Riding, 13 and Under Horsemanship and 14–18 Western Riding and named the 13 and Under Reserve All-Around Champion at the APHA World Championship Show, giving her a total of five championships. In addition, Upton ended up third overall on the APHA youth Top Twenty. With a second horse, Zipped, she won 14–18 Western Riding and was top 5 in 14–18 Horsemanship and 14–18 Western Pleasure in 2009.
