When Maya Tasch isn’t in her second grade classroom at Farmingville Elementary School, she’s atop a horse. Maya has been riding American Saddlebreds since the tender age of three. You might say, she was born to ride. “Maya is the 5th generation in our family to ride American Saddlebreds. It started with her great great grandfather and his horse drawn tea cart,” explains her mom, Anne.
Here, we interview Maya and learn about her equestrian passion, extensive training, and her eagerness to give back.
Riding American Saddlebreds is in your blood. Tell me about your family history of riding.
It all started when my great great grandfather had a tea cart via horse and carriage. He fell in love with saddlebreds, got married and opened a bard. He and Millie, my great grandmother, and a huge fixture in the New England saddlebred world. She was the creator and driving force behind some of the shows and programs that are still in existence today! My grandma and my mother still compete and show and I will follow in the family shoes showing this year - at a national level with my new horse Zagnut. He is a World Champion and I’m so excited to ride and show him.
Who is your equestrian role model?
My role models are the older girls that ride at my barn. They work very hard and I look up to them. They have won a lot of important championships in Kentucky and have also been on teams that traveled to South Africa. They make me want to work hard to be the best rider I can be! I want them to be proud of me!
Congratulations on completing your Leadline and for being undefeated! You have also competed in the Eastern States Exposition Horse Show (The Big E). Tell me a bit about the competitions.
I love it when I get all dressed up to show and get to ride through the gate. It is so much fun to ride in the show ring. I love showing everyone what I have learned and when my friends cheer for me! It is so exciting and I can't wait until the next time I show. I love showing against my best friends too. We leave our friend hat at the gate then pick it back up when we leave the ring. Im 7 and I know what sportsmanship is. Mom says that’s a big deal.
When you compete, you pledge funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and perform community service. Tell me about the UPHA Ribbons of Service program.
When I was 6 I participated in Ribbons of Service for the first time. I wrote a letter to family, friends and dad’s coworkers asking them to sponsor me. That every time I rode through the gate I would be riding for St Jude’s, which was the charity I chose and the kids that needed help. I raised over $1000.
The other part of the program is 10 hours of Community service. Ribbons of service is a national program and has raised over $86,000.00. At the end of the show season, prizes given to the rider of each of four saddle seat equitation rider equine breeds (American Saddlebred, Arabian, Morgan, National Show Horse) and to the performance rider/driver who raises the most funds for the designated charity. Each of these winners will be eligible for the overall award -- including a scholarship to be given to the rider of any of the four breeds or performance rider/drivers who has raised the most funds and the (a minimum of $1,000 is required) and completed a minimum of 10 hours of community service. My mom is currently on the committee for ROS.
Next year I am going to participate and Ride for the Max Rosenfeld Foundation here in Ridgefield.
What do you want to do or be when you grow up?
I want to be a Veterinarian. I love animals and want to help them.
Anything you wish I asked?
People ask me all the time why I drive 3+ hours to keep our horse in NH. We ride Saddlebreds and being the 5th generation not only is it important to our heritage but I also love the breed. They are a very loving, versatile and kind breed. We get to compete at shows all over the country. I love my trainers Kristen and David at Cater Stables. Mom says that's the best place for me to be. They are known to be the best at equitation and that's my next goal as a rider. I have a very special relationship with them. I love them like my family.