Amberley Snyder . . . If you are in the Barrel Racing world you know her and even if you don’t, her story inspires and touches people, whether you ride a horse or not!
Welcome Horse Lovers to this weeks blog interview with Amberley Snyder. Many of you already know her story but those of you that don’t keep reading because you are not going to want to miss this!
Her growing up . . .
Amberley Snyder was born in southern California in 1991. Her Dad played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball and she has 5 siblings. So let’s just say hard work was instilled in her at a young age. Read the whole article to hear what her family saying is at the end.
She did not come from a rodeo family and at 3 years old she started taking riding lessons and was hooked! Both Amberley and the rest of her family are very competitive so she soon found her calling in Rodeo!
In high school she competed in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping and goat trying. She made the National High School Finals in pole bending and won the National Little Britches Rodeo Association All-around Cowgirl World Champion. Amberley was a very accomplished young lady who had big dreams!!!
Her accident . . .
On January 10th 2010 her life changed when her truck faded into the other lane while on her way to the Denver Stock Show and Rodeo. She was heading towards a beam and in attempted to miss it over corrected causing the truck to go off the rode and roll.
Amberley was launched from her vehicle sending her into a fence post breaking her back and instantly lost feeling in her legs.
In the hospital the doctors said she would not regain feeling and probably never walk again. To go through all this and still have the spirit she did is amazing. Four months after her accident she was riding again!! If you would like to know all the details of her story click here!!
She is an inspiration to me and everyone around her and I hope you enjoy this interview.
Amberley Snyder Interview!
1. It has been 10 years since your accident. What has been the biggest obstacle to overcome and biggest accomplishment?
My biggest obstacle is patience. My biggest accomplishment is making something better out of a situation that could have been worse.
2. You are an inspiration to me and so many people. What would you say to someone having to overcome obstacles or chasing their dreams?
The advice I give to people I feel like are in any challenging situation is it’s okay to have bad days. I think that our world tells us that we are not allowed to have those. We’re supposed to wake up and be fine and put a little dirt on it. When in all reality sometimes life sucks.
3. What has the support of your family and friends meant to you through this Journey?
They are the reason I am still here.
4. How do you cue your horses now compared to before the accident?
I cue them with my hands and voice. My horses that I keep really do figure it out pretty easily!
5. How do you keep your horses feeling good down the rodeo trail?
What I put into them for feed to keep them healthy is Purina and Redmond. What I do to the outside of their body for their muscles and to keep them feeling good is Activet Laser Therapy. Plus keeping them in the best shape possible.
6. How does it feel to do so well at the American qualifier in Vegas on your great horse Legacy who you trained after the accident?
Amazing! So proud of him and what we stepped up to do there!!
A little bit of background, Amberley and Legacy qualified for the American Quarter final at the All In Barrel Race in Vegas!! So don’t forget to cheer her on at the American!
7. What are some goals you have for the upcoming 2020 year?
My Goals for 2020 are to do the best I can in any rodeo or barrel race I enter,
get my charity running and finish my place in Utah.
8. What are some of your everyday obstacles of life in a wheel chair?
Patience, time, when I can ride, goodness so many things!!
I can catch, saddle and ride my horse by myself but now for efficiency and safety reasons I have someone help me ride. When I wake up in the morning I think when will someone be around so I can ride my horses.
9. How does it feel to prove people wrong and do things they never thought you could like drive a truck or be independent in your own home?
I don’t look at my accomplishments as proving someone wrong. I feel like my energy is doing those things for me, not them. I don’t think we should live any part of our lives to spite someone else. Live it for you
10. What do you enjoy most about speaking and sharing your story?
The people I meet and hope to help!!
11. Thank you so much for doing this interview. How can people get in contact with you or follow your journey?
All social media!!
Facebook Amberley Snyder
Instagram @amberleysnder
Thank you Amberley Snyder for this inspiring interview.
I can’t believe I got to meet this amazing person in Vegas last December!!!!!!
Her family has a saying that I love
“Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Doing this interview with her and learning about her life, she lives by this saying!
She went from a very independent and successful person to have to face challenges that she never thought she would at all which leads into one of her biggest accomplishment.
I was watching one of her interviews and they asked her if she would change what happened to her if she could. She said she honestly didn’t know because of all the experiences that she never would have done with out her accident.
Amberley definitely has done more that just make a situation better. She has inspired and helped so many through her strength and determination.
As always, let me know who you want to see next in a interview, Tell me here!
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See you in the next one!