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Malibu CowgirlP H O T O G R A P H Y B Y R O X A N N E M c C A N N

Scarlet Walker has deep roots in this town coupled with a love of animals.

She can usually be found on her “small and quaint” ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains with horses, sheep, chickens and even a calf she’s been bottle feeding since the little one was born. Scarlet Walker

is a lifelong Malibu resident; her mother Judy Mora has also been a Malibu local since Mora was 17 years old.

They live on a “true” farm, which has been in the family for

30 years, and like to think of themselves as “Malibu hillbillies.” “Growing up on a ranch and in Malibu sure made for a great

childhood” Walker said. “I spent the majority of my childhood outside playing in the dirt with animals, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It taught me a lot about compassion, respect and responsibility. It made me the animal lover I am today, and I plan on always having animals in my life.” 

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Walker’s love of animals translates to the name she’s made for herself in the equestrian world and championships for which she takes pride. After her first time on a horse at just eight weeks old at Sherman’s Place in Malibu, then showing horses at barely two years old, she was later awarded a scholarship with Trancas Riders and Ropers after high school, where she currently still rides. Her mother shares the equine love, and also competed and rode with Trancas Riders and Ropers. When Mora isn’t out on a horse, she is a farrier in Malibu. Today, Walker and Mora run Horses for Productions, which provides trained and experienced horses and farm animals for the movie industry. Mora has been doing this for close to 30 years and Walker grew up helping her.

The two do not consider themselves a rescue, but the majority of their animals come from situations where they were unwanted. Some have behavioral issues, some the owners can’t afford anymore and some the owners simply just don’t want anymore. Walker and her boyfriend, Stephan Bender, spend many hours working with the horses, training them, earning their trust and bonding with them.

“A lot of the horses we get that have behavioral issues just need time,” Walker noted. “They need someone to bond with and someone to trust.” 

Their horses go through numerous tests and training before they go on a production job to make sure they will be comfortable and safe on set.

“We find it extremely important to make sure that the horse [or horses] we are taking on set will not be scared or frightened by things. Our top priority is the horses’ safety and the crews’ safety,”

Walker, with her mom, sat on her first pony in 1991.

Walker (age 5) with two of her childhood ponies, Sparkle and Safari, at the family’s Malibu ranch

Walker (in 1993) and her first pony, Minuette, at the family ranch in Malibu

Growing up in Malibu

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Walker said. “We never know what they are going to ask of us or what new obstacles we have to face on set. We have been told the horse just needs to stand there and look pretty ,and then get to set and there are tigers and fire—yes, that really did happen!” 

Mom and daughter have had the opportunity to meet those who will be starring with the animals. (Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Patrick Dempsey and Kendall Jenner have been some of their favorites.) Walker, Bender and Mora sometimes get their own cameos.

“Often [the stars of the movies] end up not being able to ride to the ability that a production expected,” Mora said. “Having one of us be able to double for them makes the job go by so much smoother and safer for everyone.”

The family lineage has created deep roots in Malibu. Walker’s father, Michael, was born

in Santa Monica and moved with his family to a ranch in Malibu at age 10, where he was quickly recognized as an equine lover. He would be eventually known for his company, Malibu Horse Transportation. As a child, he worked at Malibu Lumber and the local gas station. He noted that some of his favorite memories were riding his horses to the beach with his brothers, tying their horses up and then jumping in the ocean to go surfing. He has since moved out of the country but still visits Malibu often. Walker’s cousin, Travis Walker, is known in town for his jewelry company Double Cross. Chuck Walker, her grandfather, was a deputy sheriff in Malibu in the early ’60s; he was part of the mounted posse. His wife, Dorothy, was an avid rider as well and would do endurance rides,

Walker (age 4) and her mom, Judy, at a horse show at Trancas Riders and Ropers

Walker (age 1.5yrs) with her dad, Michael, and friend Rebecca at their first horse show at the old Trancas Riders and Ropers arena

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LOVING MALIBUFavorite spot?It would have to be an area on Encinal Canyon; it’s just a turnout on the side of the road but you can see all of Point Dume and even out to the city and the islands (on a clear day) from there. It’s such a peaceful area and really makes you appreciate our city and the beautiful ocean we get to look at everyday.

Favorite memory?I have countless favorite memories but some of my favorites took place at a lake near my family’s ranch. As kids, we would ride our horses there during summer and take the horses swimming in the lake. There’s something magical about feeling your horses feet lift off the ground and start swimming as your on their back!

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riding 100 miles on some competitions.Walker, who attended Juan Cabrillo Elementary

and Malibu High schools, said growing up in Malibu on a ranch was the best of both words.

“I could gallop my horse through the hills in the morning and then go to the beach in the afternoon.”

Today, when she isn’t riding, she’s working at a local veterinarian, where she has worked for 10 years.

“I got this job when I was in high school, I thought how hard could it be playing with puppies and kitties all day,” she recalled. “But man was I wrong, at times it can be extremely hard and sad but in the end it is all worth it and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love saving animals and interacting with our clients. I love working in a small town; a lot of our clients were my teachers growing up, my friends’ parents and often I even meet people that knew my parents when they were growing up!” n

Walker and Goldenite on set of David Guetta music video "Bang my Head" where she doubled for the lead actress in some of the race scenes for technical riding/galloping

Walker and Dream Catcher on set for Rae Sremmurd music video for “Pegasus”

Walker and Feather on set in Malibu for a fashion shoot

Left: Walker letting Cobalt, a retired racehorse trained to rear, show off.

Far left: Walker, with Feather as a unicorn, doubled for an elder man for some of the galloping scenes on set for a commercial.

The Performers