Portfolios - Reporting - Article 4

Dallas-Fort Worth horse trainer builds riders and horses through patience, not pressure

By Johnny Crowley

Immediately after stepping onto Whispering Farms property, the distinct smell of manure and hay took over. The barn is a stunning piece of architecture that is home to more than 20 horses, three cats and at least one dog. The barn is not any ordinary one as it has a massive indoor riding facility and multiple outdoor courses. Surrounding the barn are many acres of pasture and turnouts for the horses.

Whispering Farms is not only a home for the horses but also the base for Maddie Bauer and her elite equestrian training company “MB Sport Horses LLC.” (https://www.mbsporthorsesllc.com/) Maddie has been riding since she was 6 years old. She left the University of Arkansas to pursue her dreams of training riders and horses in the sport that gave her so much as a kid.

In the equestrian world in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, where riding is always about competing and winning, Bauer has developed a reputation on the little wins that must take place to be successful at riding. She believes in mastering the fundamentals of riding. Her passion for developing young horses and young riders from the ground up is one of the many reasons she has gained respect in her field. Bauer has become a rising and respected figure in the Dallas–Fort Worth training community.

Bauer’s approach comes from years spent learning from a wide range of professionals on the national show circuit. Before becoming known in DFW, she traveled extensively as a groom, exposing herself to different training styles, programs and philosophies.

“I trained with different people,” Bauer said.

“I spent time grooming on the national circuit and those people taught me a lot.”

That experience shaped her into a trainer who values relationships and fundamentals. She often works with young riders and horses who need consistency and patience.

“My students and their horses,” Bauer said.

“Seeing the progression is fun. I work with young horses and young riders so watching them grow up is rewarding.”

After speaking with Nadya Smolinski, who was one of Bauer’s first clients and has trained under her for almost four years, she said her confidence changed completely once she started working with Bauer. Smolinski explained that she was injured after falling off her horse but with the environment Bauer has built for her clients, she was able to get back into competing and riding. Nadya also found a change in her horse Eyela (barn name) or Eyecatcher VH Maressahof Z (show name) as she grew into her personality and they became a team.

“Bauer’s patience played a key role in rebuilding my confidence after time away from the sport,” Smolinski said.

“Bauer would sit with a lunge line and let me go around at walk and trot and now I’m doing hunters and jumping again,” she said.

The slow work, she added, helped her trust both herself and her horse, which reinforces Bauer’s belief that the foundation—the little wins—is what successful riding is built on.

Within the broader DFW equestrian community that is filled with highly accomplished trainers, Bauer’s niche and commitment stand out. While some programs target already-polished show riders, Bauer chooses to invest in foundational stages which involve the first canter transitions, early lateral work and the lessons where a young horse finally understands a cue. Her calm demeanor and ability to explain concepts clearly have made her popular among families with new riders. Her ability to train riders without creating a toxic barn community gives riders a foundation to grow positively.

Even as her student base grows, Bauer stays rooted in the lessons she learned on the national circuit which involve watching carefully, communicating clearly and investing in the basics. She believes that horses and riders develop best when they are given time and structure.

In a region full of competitive barns, Bauer’s patient training style has shaped its own space—one defined not by fast results but by long-term development. For the young riders and horses she guides, that approach is building foundations that last far beyond a single show season.

Bauer believes in growing relationships with her clients. Although she has a desire to win, connecting with her team is a huge part of this. She often works with young riders and horses who need consistency and patience. She says that her students are what drive her to wake up and come to work each day.

“My students and their horses motivate me,” Bauer said.

“Seeing the progression is fun. Watching young horses and young riders grow up is special.”

Maddie Bauer rides Espresso, owned by the Clapp family, in the 3-foot $5,000 National Derby at the Blue Ribbon Festival in Waco, Texas, on June 24, 2025. Bauer trains young horses and riders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Mohme Photography)