Today, we have an exciting episode that many in our Spanish community have been eagerly awaiting. Our guest is none other than Maya de la Joya Fernandez Longoria, your current Young Rider Spanish Champion and a junior European team gold and individual silver medalist from the 2019 European Championships.

Maya’s story is unique, different from others we’ve featured mainly because she has chosen not to pursue showjumping professionally. Despite this decision, she continues to ride at the top level for Spain, thriving in the competition ring and enjoying the journey with her horses.

In this episode, you will discover the journey of a rider who has decided to do things differently. We’ll explore Maya's early riding journey and her experiences with different trainers who have shaped her into the champion she is today. Her decision to choose passion over profession offers a refreshing perspective on balancing high-level competition with personal goals.

Maya's experience shows that it's possible to ride at a very high level without making it a professional career. This is an important and often overlooked topic in our sport.  It's okay to choose a different path if professional show jumping is not what you aspire to do. 

We'll also discuss Spain’s growing presence in showjumping, and Maya will introduce us to some of the special horses that have marked her career, highlighting their unique qualities. Maya opens up about dealing with pressure and setbacks, emphasising the importance of self-confidence in overcoming these challenges.

So, join us as Maya shares her journey, and we delve into the inspiring world of showjumping to explore the many ways to define success in the equestrian world !