Paralyzed Rodeo Girl

Inside The Story: Miracle Rodeo Rider Amberley Snyder
(KUTV) A Utah State University barrel racing champion has become a miracle rider. The 23 year old was once told by doctors she would never ride again but now she's not only riding she's winning.
In early 2010 Amberley Snyder was at the top of her game in barrel racing and roping; she was on her way to a competition when she crashed her truck and flew through the window.
Doctors told her her riding days where over; but that didn't stop her from getting back on the saddle.
Amberley has two horses: Power, her barrel racer; and Wrangler, her calf roping horse; in order to ride them Amberley built her own custom saddle and learned to saddle up by herself. Once on her horse, she buckles up and velcro her legs down tight so they won't flop around, then she's off and running.
Amberley said, "When I get on my horse I get to leave my wheelchair at the trailer I get to be like everybody else. My horse becomes my legs, I get to run a barrel pattern or rope a calf like every other girl there."
Amberley started riding when she was 3 years old and won her first competition at 7. At 18 years old she was at the top of her game. In the fall of 2009 she won the worlds and finals all-around title.
But then, on January 10, 2010 her life forever changed. She rolled her truck going 75 mph and was thrown from her truck. She hit a fence post which broke her back paralyzing her from the waist down. She said after the accident one paramedic told her that not wearing her seat belt cost her leg
Amberley said, "Honestly it was harder for me to hear I wouldn't ride again than it was for me to hear I wouldn't walk again." But Amberley wasn't about to call it quits. She worked hard and eventually got back on that saddle. Through the months and years she has retrained Power and Wrangler to respond to her sounds rather than her legs.
Now she's got her game back. Today Amberley is in the top 5 of 70 girls in the region and continues to work on improving her time.
By: Dan Rascon
Written and Produced By: Angie Denison

[@marijavunjak5671]

omg ...the sentence "the horse becomes my legs " is something so beautiful. 😻😻💗

[@allaroundeq3866]

a barrel racer who doesn't kick, people will say you have to use your legs to ride, well she doesn't use her legs, she can't use her legs, it's not impossible to train a horse to listen to sounds, she showed us that as well, I love that she didn't give up :)

[@xocea1366]

However without her being able to use her legs, she does compensate by being a bit more forceful with the reins. She's pretty cool though, I agree I love her confidence and determination. :)

[@robhill3378]

once a horse is seasoned as well as power is Amberleys horse, he does it on his on including taking care of Amberley.

[@camillacoral3924]

Cool but can she use the infinite rotation

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

That's amazing. I could't imagine how absolutely liberating it must feel to ride those horses.

[@emmarayas.2154]

FallaciousScotsman riding horses is amazing if u have the right horse for u it would feel like u are one and that u can fly I have a horse that I connect with well

[@470ohio]

I love how she didn't give up. They should make a movie about her.

[@darksky5985]

Terri Romero yes, I would definitely watch that! she is so inspiring 😇

[@alliebeck2795]

Terri Romero definitely I would watch it every day

[@lukemurphy6061]

I think they’ve made one on Netflix

[@alexandralehman6475]

They have its called walk, ride, rodeo

[@mikecaine2626]

They did

[@mrrythm1]

Leave this woman alone & show some RESPECT! Young lady keep riding that horse! YOU'RE an INSPIRATION!

[@joshajenks7004]

I used to barrel race also. I loved riding horses. But in 2014 after I graduated and got my Bachelors degree I got a infection in my left inner thigh. By time the doctors found the infection it had ate a lot of my tissue. They amputated my leg as high up to my waist. I dream of one day getting back on a horse. Her courage and can do attitude made me cry n smile. She gives me hope and inspiration for riding one day. God bless.

[@maddiedavis5382]

You are an inspriation, thank you for sharing. You made me tear up. 😭

[@abbyamerson6249]

God bless you❤ Never give up hope! You will be back in the saddle one day!

[@havenmcfarland516]

get back in the saddle you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@alexjackson5010]

Never give up that dream !!!! I believe you can do it !!!

[@emileecreed2788]

Josha Jenks miracles will come true you just have to wait for the moment

[@leopardgeckolyfe7715]

Oh wow. This girl is so inspiring and i really truly respect her. Not only has she got to run at break neck speed on her horse, she has to tack up, clean the stalls, Train these horses. I am so happy she got what she wanted. Well done!

[@109367]

A barrel racer that doesn't kick the crap out of her horse, nice!

[@109367]

Bella My one true Love Giving them a little nudge is okay but they kick their horses sooo hard over and over x_X

[@NightHawkLocket]

109367 lol I was thinking the same thing xD voice commands are a beautiful thing. Prissy horsey people call me stupid cause I don't ride with Spurs or a whip :|

[@daniellen4680]

i dont kick the crap out of my horse

[@phoebebaisch4292]

It's not necessarily fair to judge all barrel racers by that "reckless rider" stereotype. I'm a jumper, first of all, and have never devoted myself to Western, but I have met and watched countless barrel racers ride as gently and softly as anyone. The majority of them aren't cruel.

[@kelseydavis9291]

109367 she can't anyways she's paralyzed

[@ashnkksmom2264]

She is an amazing person not letting her situation stop her from riding I only wish she had told people to put on their seatbelt the minute you get into your car it could save your life or change it drastically.

[@itskylierae]

She's a very strong and brave girl. I'm proud of her and she has gorgeous horses

[@leeannzea403]

I met her 1 time. She is so amazing! She is hilarious and has such a good attitude about everything I truly look up to her.

[@escapist88]

I saw the movie on Netflix based on her story... this is honestly a beautiful story! I have never met an equestrian in my entire equine career that has a disability like this and never give up. Beautiful❤️

[@lukemurphy6061]

Is there a movie based on this story on Netflix called “WALK RIDE RODEO” ? I saw this KZbin video ages ago but the movie just appeared today !

[@aaliyahunderhill5273]

My grandpa got in an accident like this and if he was wearing his seatbelt he would have dies, thats what the doctors told us anyways. Shes Very inspiring!!

[@sashalewis5638]

Amazing Amazing resilience! What a beautiful girl!! Amberly, you are such an inspiration!!!

[@brandonmaya1241]

Johnny joestar?

[@KJMudge]

What a truly inspirational young women who proves that their is no such words as I can't.

[@lainiedincola9704]

Amazing I will always wear my seatbelt now

[@aaliyahunderhill5273]

MY grandpa got in an accident and if he was wearing his seat belt he would have died.....So i guess its an optional choice.

[@cm6995]

The fact tat she allowed her pictures being taken while in the hospital and she is smiling says a lot about her character. I would be doomed in depression and frustration. She is a brave girl.

[@alaria2349]

*walk, ride, rodeo enters the chat*

[@horselover-tg7hi]

my grandma is getting me my own horse I'm praying for you

[@alaria2349]

horse lover 1232556 so your one of those pls just stop

[@alleycat1249]

this is amazing !! this is literally fantastic, wow!!

[@Jiniaj]

OMG I raced against her last december in las vegas. She is fast and a inspiration for me. The rodeo was All In Barrel Race.

[@alexjackson5010]

I get that they have to strap her in to ride .. But that's super dangerous . If the horse trips and falls on her and rolls , she's stuck in that saddle

[@marley9691]

That's exactly what I was thinking

[@laurabeth3946]

Alex Jackson yea...that is what I was thinking too...

[@ameliasedrowicz4490]

Alex Jackson same

[@jeanlower8547]

Alex Jackson well it's fabric and it can break easy

[@carcharodonoodle]

And plus she's not wearing a helmet.

[@rodneypickens5095]

She is incredible.

[@KJ-vl7uv]

I was told I'd never ride again, but with practice I can!

[@sharamonoskey5757]

Very powerful and a great story

[@smhammu1]

What an inspiration this girl

[@kylanabryson7750]

your awesome Amberley

[@haleycraig2837]

that is awesome keep riding girl

[@bellacanelli1927]

I just watched the movie on Netflix 😍😍

[@inescookies-doherty4146]

You are amazing girl 👍🙏👏👏 Good example of life purpose ❤

[@sillykittycat2972]

I seriously love how she did not give up on her dreams

[@skylight7827]

I just watched walked ride rodeo. This is real? This actually happened? She’s my new hero.

[@leliamcnees5482]

I actually met her once she's really cool and nice

[@emmasfarmlife8909]

This is amazing.

[@Rancher247]

AWSOME Lady!

[@demetriabravo5764]

Keep going girl you have been a great inspiration to me and you let me know no matter what I go through I can keep doing whatever it was that I did before and even maybe better I have a heart for a hurt and animals and hurting people God bless you and your family you've been a great inspiration to me and I would love to hear from you I'm also at HIV positive

[@jeanniebower5275]

sorry of your loss

[@robhill3378]

She is my rodeo queen.

[@angietellock467]

You are strong and very awesome I would’ve said the same thing you are amazing

[@scoragg6200976]

Amazing woman.

[@laurabeth3946]

It's in the saddle not on!

[@Limegirl-ev2ti]

Laura Beth I said that too😂😂

[@laurabeth3946]

Limegirl2003 UGH...city folks...

[@Limegirl-ev2ti]

Laura Beth ikr😂 I don't own a horse (yet) but I have been riding for 5 years. When he said that it made me scream at my phone and my brother thought I was crazy😂

[@laurabeth3946]

Limegirl2003 I have been riding for 4 or 5 years too! I have a horse (: her name is Dee!

[@Limegirl-ev2ti]

Laura Beth omg I love the name! What breed is she?

[@zombiegirl9495]

You go girl!

[@darahwaltwhiddon8871]

I saw your movie walk ride rodeo on Netflix

[@barrelracingmarshes5777]

I LOVE this movie i just love it

[@crgaillee]

Now this is a wonderful story.

[@dakotabrewer4978]

My idol!!

[@kylahunger1674]

Respect

[@callistofire7329]

Wow! Just wow!

[@darahwaltwhiddon8871]

Your amazing

[@camillewisee]

Best seat ever

[@marissaabeyta5410]

Go girl

[@madeleinet1307]

good job I love riding and I have a horse name Nick

[@kelseykreyer9104]

So inspiring

[@sophieking572]

Brilliant xx

[@JCHorsemanship]

U go girl

[@brandonunash9571]

so amazing

[@yungmandeux1729]

Thts cool but what's her stand?

[@hollowground7557]

So inspiring :)

[@tomtubman]

Love it !!

[@zoecarpenterrr]

AMBERLY SNYDER!!!! SHE IS AMAZING!!!

[@justsaiyansteve]

Yep, wearing my seatbelt.

[@lola-sq5by]

Oh I see. She uses her back and bum and hands and voice to make the horse go and stuff. It's pretty impressive that she can ride like that with out useing her legs

[@icecreamguru7584]

Awesome I want to be that good!!

[@toniawheeler649]

Praise God. God bless u.

[@harrietroyle240]

its amazing how she got told she could never ride again and she is know winning competitions with her disability. she is defiantly a person who we can learn a lot from if we don't give up if something happens like that to us

[@sagasvll8323]

Sunshine story🌞

[@erinpile5402]

You are so inspiring

[@titifolol]

Gooooooo Girl....;)

[@alaria2349]

Walk ride rodeo enters the chat

[@vaquero7x]

amazing, God bless!

[@isabellemarie6825]

You may think I am lying but I am not

[@MarMar-pe5tg]

doesent she have her own movie? walk ride rodeo?

[@gracynharrington1296]

on the saddle lol

[@kaylamarsh9550]

She has a name....

[@annagomez4096]

Who’s here after seeing the movie on Netflix about her?

[@boinkslinky]

Wooohh!!!!

[@BorgurYT]

I have seen the Movie Based off of her Injury

[@terrybruce5923]

Cool...the horse his her Avatar.

[@ILOitmeansIloveOreos]

When did Johnny get a sex change?

[@stephenpartin7023]

Omg that's good

[@abbyhuckins3880]

I never kick my horse I tap real gentle

[@milesaway3699]

She wears her seatbelt now.

[@marylooney3713]

Wow

[@kauppareissuilija.from.Finland]

Ummm... Where was her helmet?

[@shamonikacarr5064]

Walk Ride Rodeo

[@jasmingallagher4791]

They made a movie caled walk.ride.rodeo and it was such a good movie go watch it its on netflix it was about this girl in this video

[@isabellemarie6825]

No joke she is my neighbor

[@wazzais1]

this is a movie... its call walk ride rodeo on netflix

[@alyssa-ch6zq]

That's what you get for not wearing your seatbelt...

[@Tonetwisters]

Amberley ...

[@koalascorner8632]

Johnny Joestar

[@chriscooklin9877]

This is a movie on netflix

[@SarahJRick]

All of you that think calf roping and breakaway is "Just for fun" and "cruel" well its not just for fun and its not cruel. Roping calves is and was useful, it was used to catch the calf so it could be taken care of such as shots, taking care of hooves, etc. The calves are used to it and know whats happening so it is not cruel but sometimes it can get a little rough.

[@tami2170]

TexasHorseGirl Country and Horses wake the fuck up and take your fuckin blinders off!!

[@kaylashamberlyn9085]

And i thought i was good

[@sourwyd0]

This is walk ride rodeo

[@apburner1]

Just to be clear... she can't feel her cooter?

[@dmd9606]

that's not safe at all