“This beautiful lady is amazing,” declared Reno Rodeo announcer Bob Tallman on Friday night, referring to Amberley Snyder. However, “amazing” might be an understatement for what Snyder represents.
“When I perform well and keep pace with the other girls, I remind myself, ‘You’ve got this. You’re okay,’ and it helps me push through the tough times,” Snyder shared.
Watching Snyder compete at the Reno Rodeo, one might not realize the challenges she has faced. “I’m the only professional barrel racer who is paralyzed in the United States,” she explained.
In 2010, Snyder was involved in a rollover truck accident that severely injured her spinal cord, leaving her without control over her lower body. “You don’t know how to handle life when suddenly all your dreams and plans are taken away,” Snyder reflected. “But I refused to accept that as my final answer.”
Amberley’s love for horses was instilled by her mother and has been a lifelong passion. For the past 14 years, though, riding has been different for her. “Getting back on a horse gave me back a piece of my heart and soul,” she said.
Snyder mounts her horse differently now, using a special seatbelt on her saddle and straps around her legs to stay upright. Despite her paralysis, she competes on equal footing with other riders in timed events like barrel racing. “Everyone else can use their whole body to communicate with their horse, especially their legs, which are crucial for riding. I had to find ways to compensate,” she explained.
In 2021 and 2022, Snyder’s determination paid off as she qualified for the Wilderness Circuit Finals, finishing in the top 12 of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association standings. This week at the Reno Rodeo, she is currently ranked fifth in the average standings.
Amberley Snyder’s journey is a testament to her resilience and unyielding spirit, making her story truly inspiring.
