Bianca DeLuna: Riding the Rhythm

By Laila Edwards

Portraits by Melissa Fuller

For dressage rider Bianca DeLuna, horses have never been just a passion; they’ve always been an essential part of who she is.

Growing up in Austria, Bianca felt a magnetic pull toward horses from a young age.
“There were horses in a field near our home,” Bianca said. “We’d go on family walks, and I’d always stop and stare at them. I think my parents knew it was over the minute I saw them.”

That early fascination set the tone for everything that followed: a life deeply rooted in the equestrian sport, shaped by discipline, love and a sense of purpose. Today, Bianca balances her career, family and unwavering devotion to horses from her home in Wellington, Florida.

A Childhood Drawn to Horses

Bianca’s introduction to horses was pure serendipity. “Even though my dad had been a jumper years before, my family wasn’t into horses at all at that point,” Bianca said. “But I still managed to find them at a young age.”

When a local riding club hosted an open day, 4-year-old Bianca immediately wanted in. “They said I was too small to start lessons,” Bianca said. “They told me I had to wait until I was 6.” But fate had other plans. That summer, during a family trip to Hungary, she began riding despite being only 4 years old. “That’s where it really started. Then, when I turned 6, I finally joined the riding club back home.”

From jumping to dressage, hacking out and everything in between, Bianca did all that a young girl who loved horses could dream of. She even competed in some jumper shows.

Her first horse, Rebecca, came when she was 7. “She was not a kid’s horse at all,” Bianca said. “She was wild and threw me off a few times. She was fast, strong and always full of energy.” Despite that, or maybe because of it, Bianca learned early on to ride with both courage and humility.

Next, when Bianca was about 10, her family invested in two horses that aided in her development in the saddle, though the family eventually ended up selling them. In addition to her own horses, she spent time on a variety of horses at her riding school, focusing on core fundamentals while training in dressage and jumping.

During that time, Bianca found a beautiful white Hungarian Lipizzan that led her down the road of dressage. Though not naturally talented in dressage, this horse landed her in her first serious dressage barn and even helped her to compete in her first licensed dressage competition.

When Bianca was 13, her family bought a 4-year-old horse named Caballero de Pasion, or Lero, as he was known in the barn. Both being young, Lero and Bianca learned a lot from each other and spent years deepening their relationship and participating in the Young Horse classes. “We had days where we would come out of the ring with a score of 8.0 and some days with 4.0,” Bianca said. “Sometimes I was not able to get him down centerline because he would spook.” However, their time together cemented a bond that would be a highlight in the championship rings.

Young Rider to Fully Dedicated

Bianca’s career took off during her days as a Young Rider with Lero. With years of training together, they grew to be a pair that was electric in the ring. Having qualified for her first Austrian Regional Championship at age 16, she was ecstatic. “I remember my trainer thinking I wasn’t going to win,” Bianca said. “But it turned out that was not the case.” Bianca went home with her Champion title and a huge smile on her face. And that was just the beginning.

Two years later, in 2010, she added another Junior title to her record when she became Vice Team Champion. Her momentum continued into 2011, when Bianca celebrated multiple victories in M**-level competitions, followed by several S-level wins in 2012. That same year, she once again stood at the top of the podium as the Austrian Regional Champion for Young Riders, thanks to her partnership with her one-in-a-million horse, Lero.

For Bianca, each ribbon wasn’t just a win, it was proof of the years of dedication, trust and passion that defined her partnership with Lero and her journey through the sport she loves.

While continuing to expand her skill set in the equestrian industry through teaching and riding, she also balanced academic scheduling. Having spent years in business school and working on her law degree, life-altering words from her trainer changed the trajectory of her life. “She said if I really wanted to be a successful trainer in the industry, I needed to fully commit my time to the sport,” Bianca said. “So, I chose not to finish my law degree because I was certain that horses were exactly what I wanted to do.”

With that knowledge and the comfort of also having a business degree, Bianca accepted a riding position on the border of Austria and Germany. This marked the beginning of her journey through a series of barns and training opportunities that shaped her path as a professional rider. After about a year and a half, she moved back home to focus on teaching and building a strong base of students before receiving an exciting job offer from Petra and Stefan Wiesenberger at their beloved Gestüt Moosbachhof. “It was a perfect opportunity for me at the breeding farm,” Bianca said. “I worked there a half day and then had my horse in another barn to ride as well.”

German Certification

Though she loved it there, she knew it was important to begin working toward her training certification so it would all be worthwhile. As serendipity would have it, Jennifer Hoffmann was looking for a Bereiter student, so Bianca began her formal riding education there. She stayed for two years, developing horses of all ages, levels and temperaments.

Reflecting on one horse, Jennifer’s Grand Prix partner Farinelli, that Bianca would ride on dark winter mornings, she recalled the validation he gave her. He was a super-hot chestnut gelding that many were afraid to ride, but Bianca was given instructions from her boss that helped. “I remember Jennifer saying that if you just listen and feel his heartbeat, he will not throw you off,” Bianca said. “I thought she was crazy, but the more time I spent with him, I realized she was right. I really think he never bucked me off because he loved me.”

After two years, Bianca relocated to Pascal and Dana Kandziora’s to pursue her Bereiter certification more effectively. There, she trained young stallions and mares, breaking and instilling their initial training. “The stallion licensing is probably one of the hardest things to do in the horse industry, but it was so much fun,” Bianca said. She had the opportunity to work with some famous stallions, like Cashmere, Don Vito de Hus and others that would later go on to do great things in the international ring.

Though she worked with many incredible horses, she forged an extra-special connection with Samica 3, with whom she was able to compete in the Turnier Der Sieger. Bianca continues to deeply cherish her memories of riding Samica.

From there, she continued moving around, gaining experience as a groom, rider, breeder and trainer to become as well-rounded as possible. After completing her Bereiter, FN in Germany, she returned home to Austria and continued to work with top trainers including Victoria Max-Theuer and Astrid Neunmayer.

“All of the experience you gain in different fields helps you ride better,” Bianca said. “When you get to ride the horses that are from parents you also had the privilege to ride and train, you really get to know your horse in depth, not just in training.”

Crossing Continents

Bianca met her husband, Michael DeLuna, during her time at Jennifer Hoffmann’s, where he was grooming and running the barn. In 2022, after dating for a while, they decided to visit his family in California. While there, Bianca had an interview with Jan Ebeling, a prominent trainer in Wellington, Florida, about potentially working for him in the United States.

Though it was supposed to be a simple prospecting trip, it transformed into a trip for the core memory book. “I was super excited about the job opportunity in the States, so I took it,” Bianca said. “Then just a few days later, Michael proposed to me! It was a whirlwind.”

After taking some transition time back in Austria to prepare for her big life change, she flew over to the United States and has never looked back.

In her time with the Ebelings, she was able to ride and train a multitude of their horses. “You can’t ride every horse the same way,” Bianca said. “You have to meet them where they are physically, mentally, emotionally.” And that is exactly what she did while honing her craft as a highly skilled rider.

She also focused on solidifying her own training program: She worked to develop client horses, sales horses and her own personal horse. Bianca purchased her current mount, Glorious Secret BK, as a 4-year-old in Germany, and Secret is truly a member of her family. Bianca has been working to develop Secret, now 11, and is excited to present her in the show ring during this winter season in Wellington.

She has also been working closely with a horse belonging to her mother-in-law, Michele DeLuna: Klea MB. Bianca first found Klea at Gestüt Moosbachhof at just 2 weeks old. Having ridden both of Klea’s parents, Bianca knew Klea would be full of talent and a perfect match. She was right, helping Klea to qualify for the Festival of Champions as a 4-year-old with impressive scores.

From the Heart

In early 2025, Bianca gave birth to her beautiful little girl, Mila. She and her husband have enjoyed every special moment of parenthood so far and Mila’s love for horses is already shining through at the barn. “At the moment, her current favorite thing to do is to kiss the horses,” Bianca said. “We will walk her up to the horses and she’ll give them a kiss. All the horses seem to love it, too.”

Now based out of a private barn in Little Ranches in Wellington, Bianca has been balancing motherhood while working with her clients and growing her business. “Now that it feels like I really have my own program, I am even more excited for this coming competition season,” Bianca said.

Bianca’s philosophy blends the rigor of European dressage with a modern awareness of mental and physical wellness, for both horses and riders. “When I was younger, I thought it was all about perfection,” Bianca said. “Now I think it’s about communication and longevity.”

She often reminds her students that good riding begins long before you pick up the reins. “You have to show up calm,” she said. “If you’re tense, your horse feels it instantly. They mirror everything you bring into the arena.”

Optimistic about the future, Bianca’s focus is on continuing to grow as a rider, and building her training program while also embracing every moment of life with her growing family. Her goals continue to evolve, not only chasing scores, but also about cultivating understanding. “I want to build horses that stay sound in the body and mind because if they’re not happy and confident in all aspects of their life, it shows up in the ring.” Bianca said. “Being able to show a well-rounded and well-prepared horse is what it’s all about.”

Follow Bianca and DeLuna Equine Services on Facebook or on Instagram @biancabeatrix

Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com