mardi, 25 février, 2025
Originating from Mexico, Maya Denis is a show jumping rider who made the bold move to Florida, USA, to pursue her top-level sport dreams.
At just 20 years old, she is making a name for herself on the international stage, balancing young horse development and high-level competition. We caught up with her to learn more about her journey, challenges, and ambitions.
After growing up and competing in Mexico, Maya made the decision to move to the U.S. to accelerate her career in show jumping. While the competition system is slightly different, she adapted quickly:
“Once I figured out how everything worked here, it was easy.”
Her choice of settling down in Florida, specifically Ocala, was largely influenced by the development of the World Equestrian Center, which she saw as a key venue for the future:
“Ocala is full of horses and has beautiful surroundings, which made the decision even easier.”
One of the biggest challenges Maya faced was getting back to her competitive level after arriving in the U.S.
“I mostly had young horses that I had to develop for the higher levels.”
The FEI circuit in the winter season is extremely competitive, and breaking through took time:
“Once I started competing in international classes, it became harder to place consistently.”
Today, her string of horses includes a mix of experienced competitors and promising young talents:
Among them, Callypso stands out this season:
“He’s now at the stage where he competes in FEI classes more regularly and tackles bigger courses. He’s a highly competitive horse, which makes his progression really exciting.”
Maya enjoys working with both young and seasoned horses, finding unique rewards in each:
“With young horses, watching them grow and improve over time is incredibly fulfilling.”
On the other hand, experienced horses require a different approach:
“You have to keep them fit, select the right shows, and make sure they’re not overjumped.”
To prepare for major competitions, she mixes technical work with fun and relaxation:
“I like to do a gymnastics session the week before a big competition, but I also take them on trail rides or mix up their routine to keep them entertained.”
Every rider has a horse that shapes their journey, and for Maya, that horse was Flying Dutchman:
“He helped me jump my first 1.55m class when I was 16.”
Currently, Jantien de Muze holds a special place in her heart:
“He has an incredible personality—he’s so funny. I absolutely love him.”
Maya started this season at a steady pace, making sure her horses were in top shape before increasing their workload. Gradually, she’s stepped up to bigger classes, allowing her horses to showcase their potential.
“I don’t have a specific milestone for this season—I’m just going with the flow, based on how my horses are feeling.”
That said, she has one big goal in mind:
“I’d love to compete in a 5 event, but I’m not putting pressure on myself. We’ll see how things unfold.”
Maya naturally handles pressure well but has strategies to keep her nerves in check:
“I like to stay busy so I don’t have time to overthink or get nervous.”
Living on her own farm in Florida, she splits her time between training, horse management, and traveling for competitions.
“I’m lucky to have a great team helping me, but I stay hands-on. I even drive the trailer myself to competitions.”
Her training philosophy is simple yet essential:
“I firmly believe in letting horses be horses.”
She follows this belief by keeping some of her horses barefoot and allowing them to spend time outside in groups, something she considers vital for their mental well-being.
Maya works with a coach who gives her weekly lessons and assists at competitions.
“Having an extra set of eyes is always valuable. We never stop learning.”
When asked what advice she would give to young riders, she emphasizes the importance of not comparing yourself to others:
“If you keep comparing, you’ll never feel good enough. This sport is a marathon, not a sprint—there’s always time to improve with hard work and perseverance.”
Maya Denis represents a new generation of ambitious riders determined to reach the top while prioritizing their horses’ well-being. With a balanced approach to competition and training, she’s carving out her place in the sport.
Her journey is only just beginning, and there’s no doubt that we’ll be seeing much more of her on the international stage.
