My background is originally in western riding. I grew up riding cutting horses with my grandfather and trainer. When my cutting horse trainer moved to Weatherford, Texas, I started flying back and forth to Texas on summer and winter breaks from school. Because of my inability to ride and show cutting horses consistently, I transitioned to the hunter/jumper discipline. I rode at Fuerza Equestrian with Conner Patrick and Madison Bradshaw. I had an amazing year and a half of showing on the A-circuit and improving my skills as a rider. After a bad crash through a fence at a show, I realized that the hunter-jumper world was not right for me, and I moved my horse to a dressage barn. Dressage is the perfect sport for me because it builds off the fundamentals of cutting with its focus on balance, suppleness, and impulsion. I instantly fell in love with it, finding it intuitive for its focus on minute details and precision.
My experience as a multi-disciplinary rider will make me a valuable asset on any college team while riding unfamiliar horses. Although I am relatively new to riding dressage, my solid foundation has allowed for an easy transition between disciplines. I currently ride at San Sebastian Equestrian Center in Redmond, Washington, with Debbie Dewitt. However, I also spend my summer and winter breaks riding with Keith Kitchen at Keith Kitchen Cutting Horses in Weatherford, Texas.
I am a senior at Eastside Preparatory School in Kirkland, Washington. I am a diligent student with a 4.0 GPA. I enjoy studying STEM, particularly math, programming, and physics, and I plan to study computer science in college. I am a leader in my school community as I promote gender equality in a variety of ways. I lead the Young Women’s Affinity Groups in both the Middle School and Upper School, and I also lead the Upper School Girl’s Empowerment Club. When I am not in school or riding horses, I enjoy skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking with my friends and family.
Riding has taught me responsibility, diligence, and good work ethic. I value a tight-knit community of people who work together to make a strong and connected team. I would like to be part of a college equestrian team that is passionate about building a solid equestrian community that promotes the sport, while also supporting a rigorous academic education.
~ Amanda Rogers