Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Makayla Barta had planned on taking her third year off from university to train with Tiffany Foster and compete on the international circuit. Fortunately, the pandemic did little to derail her training plans, and the break from competition instead offered an unforeseen silver lining.
“When I moved to Little Creek [Equestrian, Foster’s training facility], it gave me an excellent opportunity to establish good relationships with everyone at the barn,” says Barta, 21, of the business with bases in Wellington, Florida, and Vrasene, Belgium. “We basically spent every minute of the day together and I got to create a solid foundation with all of my lessons. I really got to know Tiffany’s teaching style and she got to know my riding strengths and challenges way more than if we had been travelling from one competition to the next. As well, I had started with a whole new string of horses when moving to Tiffany’s program, so I was afforded the opportunity to take it slow and get to know them.”
Once pandemic (and EHV-1) restrictions lifted, the team spent the summer of 2021 in Europe competing, where Barta racked up some heady experience in the ring at venues such as Chantilly, France, where she claimed victory in a CSI1* 1.40m class.
“Getting to compete at venues like Chantilly and the London Global Champions Tour was incredible and such an amazing experience,” she recalls. “Being able to jump the 2* grand prix in Europe was so incredible, considering the technicality of the tracks and the tough competition. Competing at venues in Europe with some of the best riders in the world was so humbling and rewarding. It’s something I’m very proud of.”
Having competed extensively in both Europe and North America, Barta has experienced first-hand the benefits to both systems of young horse development and competition. “It was nice in Europe to have so many incredible shows within an hour’s drive. Being able to stay at home Monday through Wednesday and shipping in to shows for the weekends was great. I have been very fortunate to be able to experience both systems [North America and Europe] and there are great aspects to both, but I think Europe caters to the horses more and the talent is so evident at such a young age.”
Before moving to Foster’s Little Creek Equestrian, Barta trained with Jill Henselwood in Oxford Mills near her hometown of Ottawa for almost six years. Widely known as a horseperson’s horseperson, Henselwood instilled in Barta a foundation that she credits with much of her success. “Jill taught me so much and helped me gain valuable experience, skills and an excellent foundation,” she says. “She valued hard work and always pushed me to better myself. I always admired how passionate she was with her students and she would do anything to see her students succeed.”
She thanks Foster’s tutelage for helping her get to the 2* grand prix and achieving her goal of jumping at the U25 level. “The treatment and the care the horses received was also second to none, and I think seeing the program and how each horse had a specific plan catered to them was something I will carry with me. Everyone at Little Creek was so supportive, it was a second home to me; it was the best experience I have ever had.”
After a busy European circuit, Barta is taking a year off to ‘reset and figure out my plan.’ She has two horses in her string at the moment, both still in Belgium: Cirdano, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Cluysenaer van de Heffinck x Cordano), and Cohinoor 4, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Corrado I x Sandro).
“Cohinoor 4 is hands-down the most handsome horse I’ve ever owned, and he knows it, too! I have had a lot of success with him, earning some great results in Europe this summer. I can be competitive with him, so he is a lot of fun.”
She will spend some time working towards a Health Studies degree and business certificate at Queen’s University, after which she would like to explore the possibility of becoming a nurse practitioner. “At the moment, I’m taking the fall off from riding and trying to focus on my degree. I took my third year off from university last year to truly immerse myself into the sport.”
Barta, who holds dual citizenship with the Czech Republic, is looking to base overseas in the near future, but has no immediate plans other than to focus on her education. “I love the career I have as a ‘professional amateur’, as Tiffany calls it,” she says, laughing. “Horses will always be a part of my life, and at this point who knows what the future holds for me. To me, achieving and attaining goals is success. The moments where you achieve success after countless hours of training are so rewarding and drive me to want to work harder and do better.”
Fast Facts:
(Makayla Barta Facebook)
Age: 21
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Started riding: at the age of six with Jeff McKessock at Westar Farms.
Favourite Netflix show: I have watched so many but I particularly loved How to Get Away With Murder and Scandal and an all-time favourite is Glee.
Last book you read: I think it was Lullabies for Little Criminals. It was for one of my health classes.
Favourite food or restaurant: Pasta, I love Italian food!
Any embarrassing moments in the ring?: While competing once, my horse went one way and I went the other. I was thrown out of the ring and landed in a bunch of garbage cans.
Coffee or tea: Chai tea.
Favourite band: There are too many to name, but I’ll listen to anything but country music.
Competition superstitions: I will sometimes have a designated show shirt for a specific day, but that’s it.
If you could ride any horse in the world, who would it be?: There are so many horses I would love to ride, but as of now H&M Indiana, she is incredible.
What couldn’t you live without: My friends and family … also dessert!
