When Maria Sabers climbed aboard “Wild Flower,” it was a study in contrasts. One of the participants was a four-foot-tall, 50-lb. six-year-old. The other was a 400-lb. horse. It was her second event of the day at the Santa Barbara National Amateur Horse Show, and as Sabers directed the young steed from a trot to a canter, the horse spooked and took off into a full gallop. As Wild Flower galloped away, Sabers fell and fortunately suffered no injuries. Later, she was bucked off again. It was her third fall of the day.
Three falls in one day would have been enough for anyone to call it quits, let alone a young girl entering her kindergarten year at Our Lady of Malibu. But the next day, Sabers awoke and told her father, Paul, she wanted to dress again and ride Wild Flower. She went back and ended up winning four blue ribbons and the Santa Barbara National Mini Stir-Ups Championship.
“Your heart is in your throat a lot as you watch,” Paul said. “The horse was behaving badly and I thought that after the second time she was thrown she might have just walked away. She was a little reluctant and concerned to say the least. But she did fantastic on the final day.”
Sabers has been riding since she was two-and-a-half years old. A native of the U.S. Virgin Islands and a Malibu resident for the past year, Sabers trains daily at Foxfield Riding School in Lake Sherwood. Her blue ribbons are proudly displayed in the family living room. The experience with Wild Flower goes to show the ribbons are hard-won.
“When I practice to ride it is easy,” said Sabers. “But at shows it’s really hard. I worked with Wild Flower every day and she never bucked. I was a little scared but I got back up again.”
Considering the next day went off without a hitch, perhaps the unruly Wild Flower admired Sabers’ perseverance and learned not to misbehave again. Right? Sabers smiled, but acknowledged the horse was just too tired to act up once more.
“Wild Flower was so lazy that day,” said Sabers. “She was so tired that she couldn’t buck or take off.”
When she got back home, Sabers decided she wanted to make wearing out unruly horses more of a regular habit. She approached her mother, Mia, and asked if she could take more lessons. Then she immediately went outside and began to ride her pony, Valentino.
“It makes me nervous each time she rides,” Mia said. “I just worry if she will get hurt. But she is strong. I’m so proud when she gets right back up without even crying. She did a great job and deserves it.”
Sabers’ father describes the sport of equestrian as one that requires “discipline, intellect, control and finesse.” Early signs indicate his daughter possesses those traits in spades.
“As parents, we were very impressed by the grit and courage she displayed,” Paul said. “She didn’t quit. This is one of many lessons that I hope she applies in her life.”