Amanda lives in Nobleton with her parents, Debbie and Brian and brother, Chris. She is in her second year at York University in Toronto taking Mathematics and is planning a career in teaching. When not in school or riding, she is busy with homework or having fun with her friends.

Amanda has been horse crazy since she was a little girl. Convinced that she was only interested in learning to ride because it was something her mom did, Amanda’s dad allowed her to participate in every other sports activity except riding. Boy did Amanda ever prove her good old dad wrong!! When he finally relented and allowed her to take riding lessons – she never quit and some 12 years later she is still riding strong. Amanda started showing in club shows at the age of 9 with her mom’s horse Foxy (Foxy recently passed away at 32 years old) and then tried jumping with a schooling pony named Chipy. She entered the quarter horse world when she was 12 years old with Im Being Coy Next (Masey).

2006 was Amanda’s first year in the amateur division. She showed her 6-year old black mare, Abby (Mintubee Certifiable) in Amateur and Open Hunter Under Saddle. In 2007, she hopes to also show in Amateur Showmanship and Hunt Seat Equitation. She says though, that Showmanship – her favourite class - will require her to get out of bed earlier and she has enjoyed sleeping in on weekends – a change from when she showed in youth all around events. Although she admits, she has missed showing in a variety of classes. Amanda travels to all the Ontario shows and depending on the year, has also shown in the U.S.

Amanda was a very successful youth competitor with Masey and Abby. She has received numerous Ontario, Area 3 and EOQHA year-end awards and she and Abby were members of the EOQHA 2005 Congress Youth Team. Amanda received her Superior in Showmanship at her very last show with Masey prior to the mare being sold to Dave Hickey in 2004. In 2006, Abby and Amanda were Ontario and EOQHA Senior Hunter Under Saddle Reserve Champions and Area 3 Amateur Hunter Under Saddle Reserve Champions. The pair has also received Youth Halter and Youth Performance ROMs and Open and Amateur Performance ROMs.

Amanda says her favourite horse show moment was in 2005 at Carp. Tausha Hellyer and Amanda participated in the synchronized horsemanship fun class and they robbed the crowd as old bank robbers to the song “Take the Money and Run”. They raised money for the EOQHA congress youth team. On the other hand, Amanda had an awful experience in New York when Masey was stung by a bee or some big weird bug and started to buck all the way down the rail in what started out to be one of her best horsemanship classes ever. When she rounded the corner, Amanda heard some bystander say "let go" so she did and fell to the ground. The next thing she knew she was on her way to the hospital in an ambulance. She had been stepped on and cut her chin. Amanda has never forgotten and would like to thank the judge who came to her side and did not leave until the paramedics arrived.

There are a number of people who have been a part of Amanda’s show career. Family has always been there 100% of the way. There are others who have offered a smile for encouragement or a slap to keep her going when she felt like there was nothing she could do. A special thanks to - Rick O'Donnell, Kim Allen, The Gouldings, Barb and Jim Lockyer, The Hepburns, The Newbiggings, The Uens, The McRae's, Cheri Woodrow, Karen & Scott and to all her fellow competitors. For the past couple of years, she has been under the guidance of her dear friend, as well as sister - "the title she has become to Amanda" - Tausha Hellyer and her mother, Diana who has been her coach. Amanda says they both have put up with her at all the shows trailering her horse and Tausha and Amanda have spent some long nights out in the big tent. She has had several trainers since showing AQHA and she would like to thank each and every one of them for all the valuable experience and support they have given her and still continue to provide her today.

Abby is currently in training with Dave Dellin in Texas. Amanda has just returned from visiting Abby in the Lone Star State. She said she had a good time (despite the cold weather). Amanda we expect to see you early in the morning at the 2007 shows - Good luck in Showmanship!!!!!