AQHA World and Congress Champion Amanda Addy of Charleston, South Carolina is known for her huge success on the AQHA circuit with horses such
as Trace Of Good Bar, Majestic Scotch, and Naturally Ironic. Today, Addy is a perfect example of a former competitor whose current profession and passion was influenced by her love for horses. During graduate school in Dallas, Amanda became interested in the benefits of therapeutic riding for children with autism.
Before leaving Texas, Addy took an eight week certification course to become a certified therapeutic riding instructor. She chose Equest in Wylie, Texas which is the oldest and one of the largest non-profit therapeutic riding centers in the state.
“I have always loved working with children and, of course, horses, so therapeutic riding was the perfect fit,” Amanda states. “Currently, I am an instructor and the Community Relations Director at Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding. I love what I do and plan to continue to grow with this program.”
Addy recalls that she loved the competition and the constant challenge of showing horses. Amanda says she never remembered a time that she didn’t have something to improve on.
“It is so great when you work and work and then you have that one ride when everything is perfect. Showing horses taught me the meaning of hard work and dedication,” says Amanda. “If you didn’t give it your all, you weren’t going to win. Life is the same way–you get out of it exactly what you put in. I think this outlook on life helps me to be a better teacher to my students. I am always pushing them to do things they never thought they were capable of, and when they succeed it is the most amazing thing to witness. For some it is speaking for the first time to tell their horse to go, and for others it is getting out of their wheelchair and feeling what it is like to move on top of a horse.”
Addy reminisces about her three favorite wins during her show career. One of her favorites was her first Congress win in the 13 and Under Western Riding with Trace Of Good Bar in 1998. “It was the first time everything came together at such a big show, and it was a great feeling. My first horse trainer, Chris King, always loved the western riding, and I just knew he was smiling down from heaven with every stride!”
Her second favorite win was the Congress NYATT Hunter Under Saddle with Naturally Ironic. “We had been through several years of fighting in the show ring together, but I never gave up on him even though there were times that I really wanted to. We won that year under all four judges, and I was thrilled that we finally showed what we could do as a team.” (pictured above with one of her therapeutic riding students, Kevin riding Diene)
Her third favorite win was her last year at the AQHYA World in the Western Riding on Majestic Scotch (Dicky). “When I got Dicky, he was already a winner in the western pleasure, but he had not yet proven himself in other areas,” Addy remembers. “I lived with Vicky Holt most of that summer in preparation. Dicky and I became a great team, so I was really disappointed when we weren’t great in the prelims. Fortunately, we were the very last to get called back so we got one more chance in the finals. There is not one thing I would change about the ride, which everyone knows is a rare occurrence. Dicky gave me everything he had that day!”
With the recent passing of Trace Of Good Bar and 2012 NSBA Hall of Fame inductee, Majestic Scotch, GoHorseShow asked Amanda what she will remember the most about these special horses.
“I have been very fortunate over the years to show some truly amazing horses. Dicky and Trace will forever hold a special place in my heart. They were two of the most willing and naturally talented horses that I have ever worked with,” Addy fondly states. “I had Trace very early in my show career and he was the horse that really taught me how to be a competitor. Dicky was a joy to ride, and he truly seemed to know when the stakes were high. At the world show, he would prance down the alley way and then be perfect the second you hit the arena.”
The last time this talented lady showed was at the 2009 Congress with her last show horse, Chocolate And Stars who she showed in the trail, western riding, horsemanship and equitation. “I miss the competitive aspect of showing as well as all of the wonderful people in the AQHA world,” Amanda told GoHorseShow. “I would love to show again one day, but I will probably be in the Select when I have time for it again.”
Special thanks to Charlene Carter for sending us Amanda’s win photo!
