Back in the Saddle: Mica Burton’s Journey of Rediscovery and Resilience

Back in the Saddle: Mica Burton’s Journey of Rediscovery and Resilience

Must Love Horses Interviews Mica Burton

Mica Burton is an actress, content creator, and passionate equestrian. Having grown up around the worlds of both entertainment and horses, Mica brings creativity and authenticity to everything she does. After a long hiatus from riding, she reconnected with her first love—horses—and has since become an outspoken advocate for empathy in horsemanship and diversity in equestrian spaces. Through her equestrian Instagram @micastrides, she shares her ongoing journey, blending skill development with thoughtful commentary on representation, equity, and care in the equine world.

"A partnership on the ground is more important than the relationship in the saddle."

1. What about horses captured your heart and made you fall in love with them?

I absolutely fell in love with their hearts. I was first introduced to the concept of riding horses as a hobby from my friend Mavis, and I looked up to her when it came to everything so I asked my parents if I could start learning how to ride too. I started learning in elementary school at a summer camp program, and I didn't have or make many friends-- I was very isolated. I spent most of my free time in the stall of the horse I was riding-- Cassie-- and she was such an empathetic comfort. She would listen to me when I talked and snuggled me when I needed hugs and even laid down in the stall with me and put her head in my lap. She changed my life, honestly.

2. In your experience, what’s the most fulfilling moment or accomplishment you’ve had while working with horses?

Honestly, my proudest accomplishment is getting back in the saddle-- literally-- after over a decade of not riding. High school, college, and my time consuming job post-graduation kept me away from a barn for so long to the point that it was really a hobby of the past. In 2020, however, I returned to my first love despite the fact that I was honestly terrified. Falling off as a brave, enthusiastic kid is very different from falling off as a shaky, uncertain adult. But I really pushed myself to work hard and learn and grow as a rider and I have surpassed the skill and confidence of that middle-school hunter by miles.

3. For someone just starting their journey with horses, what’s the first piece of advice you would give them to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience?

Horses first. Learning to care for and love the partners we work with is the most important part of this sport. They are not a tool or an object, but they are living, breathing, and loving creatures. A partnership on the ground, in my opinion, is more important than the relationship in the saddle.

4. If you could sit down for a conversation with any horseman or horsewoman—past or present—who would it be and why?

Charles "Sonny" Brooks. He was the first black man to be inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. I want to tell him how in awe of him I am. How inspirational he is to have climbed in a world where despite his accomplishments, he wasn't even allowed to the afterparty of any shows because it was "whites only". I want to hear about how he stayed strong and passionate with that kind of a painful burden on his back, and I have a theory it's because of his pure love of horses. In 2020 the percentage of black members of the USEF is only .03, and it's not for a lack of trying. Sometimes there are places that we don't feel welcomed, as evidenced by the judges who were investigated and terminated in the same year; there is now even a task force in place to address this issue in the community. I want to tell Sonny I am so proud to be a black equestrian and I will keep carrying on what he was a huge part of!

Thank you, Mica! 

Welcome back to Must Love Horses. Here’s to learning about each other's love for horses. I hope you join the blog's journey ahead. Check out more interviews:

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