story by Lindsay King
Amanda Kanapilly of Tucumcari, New Mexico, is a rider of many talents, but also an avid agriculturalist in the business of raising goats. “My mom, Debbie and I started this business in 2013. We have our own herd of registered boer goats. We raise the babies and then my sister and I will pick the best ones to show at county, state and national-level shows,” said the 16-year-old. Amanda and her sister Elizabeth, 9, show their goats in the American Boer Goat Association, 4-H and their FFA chapter, through Logan Municipal Schools. Amanda also shows sheep. “I am on the parliamentary procedure team at my school and we won state this year. Our chapter has never had a parli-pro team.” Amanda also likes to judge livestock and horses in FFA but quit to fully pursue rodeo. “It was a hard choice, but I can still judge in 4-H since it is in the summer.”
The high school sophomore competes in cutting, reined cow horse, barrels, poles, goat tying, breakaway roping and team roping. “Reined cow horse helps me sharpen my horsemanship skills and understand horses better. Not only can you make a good reined cow horse, but you can use the fundamental skills of that to make a good barrel or pole horse or whatever discipline you need them to compete in.” Amanda started reined cow horse just over a year ago, seeking help from Grant Mitchell and Brad Shadle, both of Singleton Ranches. “I borrowed a horse from Singletons last spring, which I rode at state. Then the Silver Spurs loaned me a horse for nationals. Elwyn McCleskey has been my trainer most of the time because I have been using his horses. If it was not for them I wouldn’t be where I am today in rodeo.” Finishing third at state last year, Amanda is currently sitting second in the reined cow horse so far this year. “All the NMHSRA facilities are nice and easily accessible. People are just happy to have the rodeo in town.” Amanda loves how stiff the competition is in the NMHSRA, but also how everyone lends a helping hand or a whoop and holler at just the right time.
“I have been on a horse since day one and riding by myself since I was two. Ever since I have always loved horses.” Proving to her parents that rodeo was more than a phase, Amanda started heavily competing in the eighth grade. “I did not have much luck my first year, but I learned a lot by meeting people.” Learning the small steps is preparing Amanda for a long rodeo career. “Growing up in rodeo has taught me a lot about responsibility and preparation, forgetting one thing for a rodeo can mean the difference between a good and bad run.” Time management and prioritization are helping Amanda prepare to succeed in college. “The atmosphere of rodeo gives me the drive to win but I also realize that I can always learn something from losing.”
A possible future Red Raider, Amanda wants to ride on the ranch horse team for Texas Tech. “I kind of want to be in ag business, but I also think about being an equine therapist. I might try and do equine therapy as a side business.” Stacy Standbrow, Mesalands Community College assistant rodeo coach, always tells Amanda that people will remember her more for how she ropes than what she wears. Amanda is thankful for both of her current sponsors: Greeley Hat Works and Kenny Steidley Custom Spurs. “It is hard to thank everyone who has helped me get where I am since there are so many people to include, but I am more than thankful for each and every one of them.”
