Amberley Snyder

Amberley Snyder, born on January 29, 1991, in California, cultivated an early passion for rodeo. She began riding horses at age three and commenced competitive barrel racing at seven. Her dedication led to significant early achievements, including winning the 2009 All-Around Cowgirl World Championship in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association. Furthermore, she served as the 2009–2010 Utah State FFA President, demonstrating leadership skills alongside her athletic pursuits. Her primary events included barrel racing, pole bending, and breakaway roping, where she consistently exhibited a high level of skill and commitment.

In January 2010, Snyder experienced a severe car accident that resulted in paralysis from the waist down due to a crushed T-12 vertebra. Following months of physical therapy, she made the decision to return to rodeo. With modifications, such as a seat belt on her saddle, she resumed riding and competing approximately a year and a half after her injury. She transferred to Utah State University, where she captained the school’s National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association team, showcasing her continued dedication to the sport and her academic pursuits. In 2014, she was awarded the Shane Drury “Nothin’ But Try” scholarship, recognizing her perseverance.

Snyder’s career progression included a notable appearance in 2015 when she received a fan exemption to compete at The American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, achieving a time of 15.3 seconds. In 2016, she ranked in the top five for the Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association and earned her Women’s Professional Rodeo Association card. She currently competes in the RAM Wilderness Circuit. Beyond competition, Snyder is an active motivational speaker, uses her social media to share her experiences through weekly “Wheelchair Wednesday” videos, and authored an illustrated children’s book, “Walk Ride Rodeo,” based on her story of overcoming adversity. Her life and achievements were also documented in the 2019 Netflix biopic “Walk. Ride. Rodeo.,” where she performed post-crash horse stunts, and she made a cameo appearance as herself in the third season of “Yellowstone.”