Ocala, FL – This week’s Ocala Sunday Spotlight shines on 20-year-old Maya Denis of Mexico. This talented young athlete made Ocala her home two years ago, and she’s been gathering top placings ever since. She has competed in numerous international classes at WEC, and showcases her true passion for the sport, with the time and energy she puts into her horses. We caught up with the talented young rider to learn more about her string and future ambitions.
WEC: Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Mexico, and honestly, I can’t even tell you how I started riding. My family isn’t a horse-oriented one, but my mom always liked horses. Riding has just been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
I began with eventing as a little kid, just for fun. But I soon realized that show jumping was more my style, so I made the switch. Since then, I’ve been exclusively focused on jumpers.
During my junior career, I competed in the children and junior divisions, starting with the itty bitty jumpers, then moving on to children’s doing 1.0m, 1.10m, then juniors at 1.20m, 1.30m, and finally 1.40m, including a few international competitions. I think I was around 14 years old when I did my first grand prix, so I have been showing in the upper levels for a bit now.
Two years ago, my family and I moved here. I was 18 at the time, so practically my entire life had been spent in Mexico. When I first moved here, we were still adapting to life in the US, which is different, so it took me a little bit to get back into the full swing of things. Now, I am at the point, where I can do the bigger classes because my horses are more ready and so I am.
WEC: Tell us about some of the horses you have in your string.
Currently, I have eight horses. One of them, I ride for a friend of mine. I stay pretty busy working with the young horses and developing the string I have now.
I have a three-year old I am breaking, just teaching the basics. I also have two six-year-olds, that I showed last year, doing the five-year-old divisions. One of the six-year-olds is a homebred that I actually broke myself. I hope one day he’ll do the international classes, but he still has a long way to go. He was so easy to break. He’s like an old horse in a young horse’s body.
Callypso, is my eight-year-old, who we like to call a “ATM Machine”. He wins everything. I always say he makes my job easy. He’s such a speedy horse, even in the first round I usually end up having the fastest time.
I also brought a horse named Schugga. She’s turning 12, she’s been going around the 1.40ms, 1.45m, but she’s a bit of an anxious mare, but still super nice and tries really hard. We did the 1.40m classic on Friday and she was great.
I have my two international horses. They are both ten years old and very different. I have a big stallion, Chagolando Ps. He’s super strong and it took me a while to get used to, because I am not biggest or strongest rider, but I feel like we are getting there. He’s the one we have hopes to jump really big jumps.
Then I have my other horse, his name is Jantien De Muze. He has an amazing personality. He’s not my top-level horse, but he has such a special place in my heart.
I never like to pressure my horses. With all my horses, I take a wait-and-see approach; you can always identify quality, but the true potential reveals itself over time.
WEC: Tell us a bit about your farm.
My farm is just 30 minutes away from WEC. We have 22 acres, and I live right on property. I have huge pastures because I love for my horses to go out during the day and come in at night. I also love living on-site. We had a farm back in Mexico too, so I am used to the routine of waking up, walking to the barn, and then walking home. It’s great to have everything right there.
WEC: What has your experience been at WEC?
My experiences at WEC have always been fantastic. I showed here this summer and came back to do the international classes this December. Even that short break of not being here, made me realize just how amazing it is. Sometimes you forget when you’re here every day. There aren’t many places in the world like this.
WEC: What are your future goals and ambitions?
I mean we all like to aim high, the Olympics, World Equestrian Games and just competing at the highest level of the sport. But more importantly being able to stay consistent at the top level, I feel like that’s the hardest part. I am not saying 1.60m or 1.70m is easy, but staying there is hard. One day, I hope to be able to travel and compete at some of the largest competitions in the world, but everything takes time.
Thank you, Maya for taking the time to chat with us! We can’t wait to cheer you on in the ring!