#WheelchairWednesday, How One Inspirational Rider is Defying the Odds and Motivating Others
Photo courtesy of Western Edge Photography.
By: Brittany Bevis
23-year-old Amberley Snyder of Utah is just like any other young equestrian. Her days consist of mucking out stalls, caring for her horses, preparing for competitions, and traveling long hours on the road. However, there is one major difference; Snyder is confined to a wheelchair.
Actually, confined is probably a poor word choice, because there is literally nothing this impressive young woman can’t accomplish when she puts her mind to it. Her “Wheelchair Wednesday” videos have become wildly popular on Facebook helping to gain some 42, 501 fans. Each week, she tackles a new issue with the cameras rolling, like how to get across arena dirt in a wheelchair, picking out horse’s feet from a wheelchair, haltering a horse from a wheelchair, reaching a bridle on the top rack of the horse trailer, and even saddling a horse from a wheelchair.
Tackling daily barn chores. Image courtesy of Amberley Snyder.
With an inspirational attitude, an innovative saddle set-up, and newly discovered insight since a devastating car accident in 2010, Synder has been able to defy the odds and is now competing once again in barrel racing and breakaway roping competitions.
Back in the day. Image courtesy of Amberley Snyder.
One of six children, Snyder started riding horses at the age of three. She quickly discovered that the world of rodeo would become her lifelong passion. In 2009, she qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo as well as the National Little Britches Finals where she won the Finals and World All-Around titles. She also finished in the top six in Pole Bending, Goat Tying, and Breakaway Roping.
Just one year later, on January 10th, 2010, everything changed. She was headed to Colorado for the Denver Stock Show when her life changed forever.
“I was driving through Sinclair, Wyoming, when I looked down to check my map,” Snyder says. “As I looked up, I realized I had faded over a lane and was heading towards a metal beam on the side of the road. I tried to correct my truck, but I slid off the road and my truck turned completely sideways. I was ejected and hit a fence post on the side of the freeway. I knew I must have broken my back because I didn’t have any feeling in both of my legs.”
The accident. Image courtesy of Amberley Snyder.
After five hours in surgery, the prognosis of her doctors was grim. They predicted she would never have any feeling below the waist and she wouldn’t regain the use of her legs. An equestrian and horse-lover since the age of three, this news didn’t sit well with Snyder.
“Not riding was just not an option in the beginning,” she says. “I told my mom I didn’t care if I needed to be strapped to my saddle; I would ride again. I convinced my therapists to let me bring a saddle into therapy so I could be in it. I told them my balance was better in the saddle than anywhere else.”
Saddle therapy! Photo courtesy of Amberley Snyder.
“It took a few months before I could convince doctors and my parents to allow me on my horse. I didn’t even have my back brace off before I got onto a horse again. It was four months after my wreck when I sat on the back of one of my horses again. After some time and figuring out how to stay in, I had straps hooked up to my saddle, which allowed me to ride.”
Back in the saddle again. Photo Credit: Westfall Photography.
When she was confident in her ability to lope in a circle, she set up a barrel pattern. When she felt comfortable completing a pattern, she wanted to add speed. Less than a week later, she entered a race and has been riding and competing ever since.
“My horses have always been the center of my life for as long as I can remember,” she says. “There was a time that I thought my life with horses was over, because I knew it wasn’t going to be the same. My goals in rodeo and in life are what inspire me to keep going. The feeling I get when I’m able to be on my horse’s back is what inspires me to keep chasing my dream. The passion I have for the sport of rodeo never lets me give up, even when times get discouraging.”
Today, Snyder is a competitive barrel racer, breakaway roper, and motivational speaker. If you’d like to learn more about her inspirational journey, visit her Facebook page, and be sure to check out her Wheelchair Wednesday videos!
Click here to watch Snyder score an impressive 17.05 during a recent barrel run at the Heber City College Rodeo in March.
