Maya Constable’s meteoric rise in eventing has been nothing short of impressive. With a series of successful performances culminating in her latest win at the EI100 event, Maya is a name to watch. In this interview, she shares insights into her journey, her partnership with her horse Pedro, and her plans for the future.

Emotions and Victory

Winning an EI100 event is no small feat. Maya walked us through her emotions from the start of the competition to the moment she realized she had won. “To qualify for Millstreet, I needed one more MER (minimum entry requirement) on Pedro, so I definitely felt the pressure. But I just reminded myself to go out, have fun, and not to worry. I was in the lead after dressage and showjumping, so it was all down to the cross country. We flew round clear inside a very tight time to keep the lead. It’s such an amazing feeling to ride through the finish line knowing you’ve won,” Maya shared.

Impact of Venue and Weather

The location of an event can influence performance, but for Maya, it doesn’t change her training approach unless it’s an international competition. “We train the horses to be consistent in all disciplines, and the event just shows us where we still have some work to do. If we are traveling to an international show, we will jump the horses over a course of bigger fences that week and also take them to an international dressage arena to go through our tests,” she explained.

Overcoming Challenges

Every competition has its challenging moments. For Maya, the showjumping phase at her recent event presented a significant hurdle. “We came into a double, and I didn’t ask for the horse stride as I just expected him to take it. But he chipped in and we knocked a pole off the second part. He’s a pony, so the horse strides are harder for him. I was annoyed at myself more than anything! But we live and learn, so I put it behind us and carried on,” Maya recounted.

Daily Training Routine

Training for an EI100 event requires dedication. Maya, who is homeschooled, spends most of her time at the yard. “We hack on Mondays and Tuesdays. On Wednesdays and Fridays, Mark Robinson comes to us for dressage lessons. Thursdays we either go to Trevor Smith or we jump at home. Saturdays we have an event or a show, and Sundays they get a field day,” she detailed.

Building a Bond with Pedro

Pedro, Maya’s horse, has a chill personality and takes everything in stride. “I often do fun things with him like ride in our fields with no saddle or bridle, or just sit in his stable and give him cuddles. I think that’s what really builds trust,” Maya said.

Handling Setbacks

Setbacks are part of every rider’s journey. Maya shared a memorable experience: “Last year, at mine and my pony’s first international, I was laying in 5th in the 1* going into the cross country. We jumped a cracking clear round and I was delighted to be in the placings until I realized I jumped the P2* track by mistake. This taught me to always check the flags when walking the course!”

Dealing with Nerves

Competing can be nerve-wracking, but Maya has techniques to stay calm. “Deep breathing works really well for me as it calms the nervous system that controls the body’s involuntary functions. I also try to remind myself that everyone else is feeling the same, and it’s normal to be nervous,” she shared.

Preparing for Millstreet

Preparing for Millstreet, Maya and Pedro have been working hard on their dressage and showjumping. “Not only is this my first time competing at Millstreet, but it’s also Pedro and my first international together. It will be nerve-wracking to say the least! All I can hope for is for us to get round safe and sound and for our hard work to pay off,” Maya expressed.

Support System

Maya’s achievements wouldn’t be possible without the support of her family, friends, and coaches. “My whole family is super supportive! They often come to cheer me on at events. But none of it would be possible without my parents and amazing coaches. A bit of advice that stuck with me is that failure is how we learn. You either succeed or you learn. The biggest learnings come from the biggest failures,” Maya noted.

Keeping Horses in Peak Condition

Maintaining her horses’ peak condition is crucial. “All our horses get 30 minutes on an incline power walk on the treadmill in the morning to build up their fitness. They then get ridden in the afternoon. Having them in peak physical fitness means they are less likely to get injured. They also get turned out daily. Pedro is naturally very lean, so in the summer he lives out full time with our other pony Peter, and that keeps him in perfect condition,” Maya explained.

Breakthrough Moments

Maya and Pedro have had their share of breakthroughs. “When I first got Pedro, we were having poles down in showjumping until I went to a clinic with Laura Collett. She gave me some tips that really changed everything. We then started having showjumping lessons with Suzanne Posnett, and she has also really helped us. Going clear in the 1.10m showjumping at the Meadows felt amazing after working hard at it,” she recounted.

Enjoying Competitions

For Maya, cross country is her favorite phase. “It gives you such a buzz!” she exclaimed. Looking ahead, she aims to get a few more 1* International events under her belt and progress to the Pony 2*. “My aim is to represent the Irish pony European team one day,” she shared.

Future Plans

Besides Millstreet, Maya is looking forward to Lisgarvan International after coming 3rd in the 1* last year. “I really loved the venue,” she said. Her advice to other young riders? “Anything is possible if you work hard enough. Don’t give up and the results will follow!”

Follow Maya’s Journey

Maya Constable’s journey in eventing is marked by dedication, resilience, and a positive mindset. Her ability to stay calm under pressure and learn from setbacks has propelled her to success. Maya’s focus on hard work and continuous improvement sets her apart. As she looks forward to more competitions, including the prestigious Millstreet event, her story is a testament to what can be achieved with passion and perseverance. Maya’s advice to aspiring riders is clear: “Anything is possible if you work hard enough. Don’t give up and the results will follow.” 

Follow her journey on Instagram @itsmayaconstable or on Facebook @Maya Constable.