Name: Maya Polson
Age: 28
Location: Caledon, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Owner, Rider and Trainer at Ladera Equestrian Before the age of ten, Maya Polson was riding at summer camp. By the time she reached the second farm where she was a camper, she was smitten with equestrian life. “I fell in love with a pony there named Kismet, and started weekly lessons on her in the fall and have never looked back. My parents were both involved in horses when they were younger, so I come by it naturally,” she explains.
As she started high school, Maya and her family investigated the possibility of owning a farm. Over time, her dream slowly turned into a reality. When she was just finishing university, she and her family started looking into private farms for their four horses. “Our agent found our current property completely by chance, and it was a great opportunity that we just couldn’t pass up...all the pieces seemed to fall into place,” she says. “It’s bigger than what we had planned for, giving me the ability to run it as a business and go for my childhood dream.”
Now Maya works every day at her own facility, Ladera Equestrian. Specializing in training, including hunter, jumper, and equitation, Maya’s farm has also produced two foals with the hope of grooming a future champion. Ladera’s main aim is to provide a gorgeous, professional facility where horse lovers can ride, compete, teach, and be taught. That said, running a farm isn’t as effortless as a champion jumper clearing a log fence. “Holidays and long weekends don’t mean much because, especially when you own the facility and give the regular staff the time off, the animals still need to be cared for. The same goes for bad weather days, whether it’s snow or ice, the animals still need to be attended to. I am thankful for being able to live on the property and not have to worry about dangerous driving conditions,” Maya says. Two of Maya’s current homebred horses were her initiation into training life. Ages 7 and 4, they keep Maya on her toes and allow her the opportunity to grow beyond simply being a horseback rider. 
“There is an expression that every time you work with or ride a horse, you are either training or un-training them. I think that is part of what draws me to the sport, there is always more you can learn yourself or teach the horse,” she elaborates.
It’s this mindset that has allowed Maya to work towards her ultimate goal, representing Canada internationally on the show jumping team. “Shorter term goals are to develop myself and my young horses into Grand Prix caliber athletes,” she adds. What advice does this ever-busy equine aficionado and lady farm hand have for young women? “So often, especially in the horse world, people say they couldn’t reach their goals because they didn’t have the money or the opportunity. If you want something bad enough and are willing to work hard for it, doors will open and people will take notice,” Maya says. “When you work hard towards a goal and finally achieve it though, nothing beats that feeling of accomplishment and confidence in yourself.” For working hard to apply her efforts to her passion and for launching Ladera Equestrian, we think Maya Polson is a very Cool Girl! Keep up with Maya through her website, Facebook, or Instagram.
