A Journey of Passion, Discipline, and Connection
In the world of equestrian sports, where the bond between human and horse defines success, Mauren Maurer stands as a beacon of lifelong passion, relentless dedication, and an unwavering commitment to animal welfare. Having moved from her native Brazil to the United States in 2022, Maurer has swiftly carved out a distinguished path, currently serving as a Horse Care and Training Specialist in Tryon, North Carolina. Her journey, steeped in equestrian tradition from a young age, highlights the profound discipline and deep connection required to excel in this demanding yet immensely rewarding field.
Mauren’s story with horses began, as many profound connections do, in childhood. “I started riding when I was six years old, on ponies,” she recalls, her voice reflecting a fondness for those early days. Her parents, keen to immerse her in the equestrian world from a young age, laid the foundation for what would become her life’s calling. Shortly after, she joined a riding school, where her formal training in show jumping began.
Even before she swung her leg over a pony, the fascination was palpable. “There was something about their strength, beauty, and connection with people that captivated me as a child — and that feeling has never left,” she shares. This innate pull towards horses transcended mere interest; it became a defining characteristic. Over the years, her initial love blossomed into an unyielding devotion. Riding, for Mauren, was never just a sport or an activity; it became a core part of her identity, instilling invaluable lessons in discipline, patience, and profound respect for animals. This early immersion unequivocally shaped her trajectory, leading her to transform a childhood passion into a thriving professional career.
Today, working with horses is, for Mauren, both her greatest joy and her profound professional commitment.
Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience
The path to becoming a professional equestrian, particularly as an international transplant, has been anything but smooth. “Becoming a professional rider has been a journey full of challenges, especially as someone who moved from Brazil to the United States to pursue this dream,” Mauren explains. One of the formidable hurdles was the sheer act of adapting to a new country, a new culture, and an entirely new language, all while maintaining the arduous daily grind demanded by a career centered around horses.
She recalls starting from the very bottom, embracing physically demanding stable work that often entailed long hours and unpredictable schedules. Yet, Mauren views these initial struggles not as setbacks, but as integral steps in her growth. “I never saw that as a setback — I saw it as an opportunity to grow, learn, and earn my place in the equestrian world,” she asserts. Without the advantage of a traditional equestrian background or significant sponsorships, proving herself in a fiercely competitive environment required immense resilience. Her reliance, she emphasizes, was solely on her unwavering work ethic, sheer dedication, and the unique, trust-based relationships she meticulously built with each horse she had the privilege to work with.
For Mauren, the connection with a horse transcends mere performance metrics. Understanding if a horse is the “right fit” for her involves a nuanced assessment that prioritizes the animal’s mental and emotional state. “I know a horse is right for me when he feels balanced, positive, and at peace with himself,” she explains. “It’s not just about performance — it’s about how the horse carries himself mentally and emotionally.” A true match, in her philosophy, materializes when both rider and horse share a mutual sense of comfort and confidence.
The Philosophy of Partnership and Harmony
When she rides, Mauren meticulously observes the horse’s attitude. Willingness, responsiveness, and presence are key indicators that tell her the horse is in a good place, signifying the potential for a strong partnership. Her approach is rooted in patience and respect, allowing each horse the necessary time and space to express its individual personality and rhythm. “I believe in giving the horse time and space to express himself, and I respect that every horse has a different personality and rhythm,” she states. For Mauren, a horse at peace with itself often enjoys its work, which naturally fosters a deeper connection. “I don’t look for perfection — I look for harmony.” She has found that often, the most rewarding partnerships are not with the initially flashy horses, but with those who demonstrate safety, focus, and an eagerness to learn and grow.
The equestrian sport demands an exceptional level of discipline and dedication, stretching beyond the physical act of riding into the very fabric of daily life. Mauren emphasizes that it’s about “showing up every single day, no matter the weather, the schedule, or how tired you are.” The absolute reliance horses place on their human caregivers means that consistency and unflinching responsibility are paramount.
The Impact of Horses on Personal Growth
Discipline in this context translates into maintaining meticulous routines – from feeding and grooming to rigorous training and comprehensive care. It also means an unceasing commitment to self-improvement: refining riding technique, maintaining peak physical fitness, and constantly learning to communicate more effectively with each horse. “There’s no shortcut in this sport — progress takes time, patience, and repetition,” Mauren states unequivocally. Dedication, she continues, means early mornings, long hours, and consistently prioritizing the horse’s needs above one’s own. It involves the relentless travel to shows, navigating immense pressure, and maintaining composure in highly challenging situations. “You have to love the process, not just the results,” she advises. The sport also deeply instills humility; the highs of a perfect round can be swiftly followed by the lows of a difficult one. Yet, true dedication means persevering, always with the horse’s well-being as the absolute priority.
Mauren’s life has been profoundly shaped by her continuous interaction with horses. “Working with horses has shaped every part of who I am today — both personally and professionally,” she reflects. This unique lifestyle has cultivated within her an abundance of patience, responsibility, and resilience. Given that horses do not communicate in human language, the entire dynamic hinges on trust, consistency, and nuanced body language. This, in turn, demands significant emotional control, profound self-awareness, and deep empathy.
“I’ve learned how to lead, but also how to listen,” she says, noting how horses inherently mirror a rider’s energy. Stress or distraction is immediately perceived by them, forcing her to become more focused and grounded, not only in her professional life but in all aspects of her existence. The profession itself is physically and mentally taxing, requiring unwavering commitment even when faced with significant hardship. This daily dedication has profoundly shaped her work ethic, making her more disciplined in every endeavor. Above all, horses have taught her humility. Regardless of one’s experience, there is always more to learn; they serve as constant reminders to stay grounded and present. “Everything I am today — my values, my mindset, my drive — comes from my journey with horses,” she said.
Professional Experience and Future Aspirations
Mauren Maurer’s professional experience since arriving in the U.S. in 2022 is extensive and diverse. Her current role as a volunteer Horse Care and Training Specialist in Tryon, North Carolina, encompasses the daily feeding, meticulous cleaning, and precise medication of horses, alongside crucial support in training for show jumping. Prior to this, she served as a volunteer Horse Groom at Ledesma Equestrian Farms in Florida, where she provided specialized care for high-performance horses and assisted with their training regimens.
Her journey also includes a role as a volunteer Horse Care Assistant at a private farm in New York, where she was responsible for the welfare of sport and leisure horses and their preparation for various events. This comprehensive background, coupled with her lifelong equestrian foundation established riding at age six in Brazil, underscores her deep expertise in horse management, animal health monitoring, collaboration with other professionals, and an acute understanding of show jumping dynamics. Her dedication to animal welfare and commitment to continuous growth are evident in every facet of her volunteer work.
Looking to the future, Mauren’s ambitions are clear and deeply rooted in her enduring passion. “My main goal for the future is to keep growing in the equestrian world — both as a rider and as a horsewoman,” she states. This involves continually gaining experience with diverse types of horses, refining her skills in the saddle, and further deepening her understanding of horse behavior and comprehensive care.
One of her long-held dreams is to compete at higher levels of show jumping and collaborate alongside the most respected professionals in the industry. She also aspires to be an integral part of a team, contributing not only in the competitive arena but also in the daily management, training, and holistic development of horses. Longer term, Mauren hopes to specialize in training young horses, guiding them through the developmental process to become confident, happy athletes. Her philosophy centers on building a strong foundation rooted in respect and trust, a philosophy she ardently wishes to share with others, perhaps even one day establishing her own facility to realize this vision. Ultimately, her core goal remains simple yet profound: to stay intrinsically close to horses, to continue learning every single day, and to maintain the fervent passion for her work that truly fulfills her.
Advice for Aspiring Equestrians
For those aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Mauren offers sagacious advice: “My biggest advice for aspiring equestrian athletes is: be patient, stay humble, and never stop learning.” She underscores that success in this demanding sport is not an overnight phenomenon but the culmination of years of diligent hard work, unwavering discipline, and profound dedication. Her counsel is to prioritize building an unshakeable foundation, both in one’s riding technique and, crucially, in the partnership cultivated with the horse.
“Take the time to understand the horse, not just as an athlete but as a partner,” she advises, emphasizing the importance of listening, respecting their individuality, and perpetually prioritizing their well-being. A content horse, she firmly believes, will always outperform one that is merely pushed. She strongly recommends starting from the ground up, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned through volunteer barn work, cleaning stalls, and direct horse care. Such experiences, she notes, are foundational for developing responsibility, an eye for detail, and understanding what it truly means to be a “horse person.”
Remaining open to feedback is also critical; surrounding oneself with inspiring individuals and never allowing ego to impede growth are key. Every horse and every mistake, in her view, offers a lesson. Above all, Mauren urges aspiring equestrians to let their passion lead. “The love for the horse has to come before the ribbons or results. If you stay committed and genuine, the journey will be worth it.”
