Born and raised in Ireland, John McCrea started riding at the age of 8. He first rode in show-jumping competitions (ponies) for Ireland in 1986 and then again in 1988. He went on as a producer of young horses and to win the 4-Year Old National Championship at the Balmoral Grand Prix and Dublin Horse Show. John moved to the U.S. in 2000, where he continues to be active on U.S. and on the International circuits.

John's Grand Prix career to date includes:  7th at the 2005 $50,000 Vermont Grand Prix; 4th at the 2005 $25,000 Kentucky Fall Show; 2nd at the 2006 $30,000 Vermont Grand Prix; 11th at the 2007 $25,000 Littlewoods Grand Prix in Florida; 7th at the 2007 $30,000 Kentucky Spring Grand Prix; 10th at the 2007 $50,000 Devon Grand Prix in Florida; 7th at the $75,000 Grand Prix at Lake Placid; and 4th at the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier in Lexington, Kentucky.

John was also a member of the 2007 Irish Nationals Cup Team at Palm Beach, which placed 2nd behind Canada (ahead of the U.S.). He recently represented Ireland in the Dublin 5 Star International.