Tuesday, February 25, 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 decided tomove to the U.S.to advance her show jumping career. Although the competition system is slightly different, she adapted quickly:
“Once I figured out how everything worked here, it was easy.”
Her decision to settle in Florida, specifically inOcala, was largely influenced by thedevelopment 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 wasgetting back to her competitive levelafter arriving in the U.S.
“I mostly had young horses that I had to train for higher levels.”
TheFEI circuit during the winter season is extremely competitive, and it took time to make a name for myself:
“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,Callypsostands 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 progress really exciting.”
Maya enjoys working withboth young and experienced 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 in shape, choose the right shows, and make sure they aren’t overjumped.”
To prepare for major competitions, she combinestechnical training 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 ahorse that shapes their journey, and for Maya, that horse wasFlying Dutchman:
“He helped me jump my first 1.55m class when I was 16.”
Jantien de Muzeholds 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 goal for this season—I’m just going with the flow, depending on how my horses are feeling.”
That said, she has one big goal in mind:“
” “I’d love to compete in a pentathlon, but I’m not putting pressure on myself. We’ll see how things unfold.”
Maya naturally handles pressure well, but she 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 herweekly lessons and helps out 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 ofnot comparing yourself to others:
“If you keep comparing yourself to others, 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.
