story by Laurie Dineen
Amanda Terrell has been riding horses since she could throw a leg over one – with or without the help of her parents – and at 16, that’s a few years in the saddle. Growing up in LaSalle, Colorado, with her Dad and Mom (Dirt and Sherry) and her older sister (Ashley), Amanda spent her younger years competing in local youth rodeos alongside her sister, and joined the CJRA when she was about 10. “I started in the Junior Girls division and entered a couple events, and have now worked my way up to every event offered. My sister and I would share horses most of the time – and still do on occasion. We had a lot of fun and I learned at an early age the thrill of riding fast horses and the drive of competition!”
Amanda’s parents have been a great support system for her. Both with agricultural backgrounds and Dirt having grown up in rodeo has helped a great deal in and out of the arena. “My folks drive me everywhere for the rodeos, help with practicing, the horses, and encourage me to do my best in everything at all times,” said Amanda.
Finishing the 2017 CJRA season as 4th All-Around Senior Girl, Amanda competed in all the events and placed 1st in ribbon roping with partner Zaine Mikita; 3rd in poles, 4th in goat tying, and even managed to place a few times in mixed team roping. “It wasn’t the finals I had hoped for, but it didn’t disappoint”. Her favorite event is breakaway. “When you’re doing good you want to keep going, and when you do bad you know you can always do better! It is a quick event that doesn’t give you much time for errors.” said Amanda. “I just started team roping last year. I borrowed a horse from Chase Atkinson and made it to the finals. I’m still working on my consistency with that event, so we’ll see how it goes this year.” In poles Amanda was able to ride one of Odle’s horses, Rooty, to compete on. “I was grateful for every opportunity to ride him once again,” said Amanda. “My eighth grade year at CJHRA state finals, my horse got hurt right before the second round, and Odle’s told me to get on Rooty – and I ended up winning the average that year. They also let me ride her the next year and I won the pole bending state championship for CSHSRA as well as the Rookie of the Year. She’s an awesome horse and I can’t thank them enough for letting me use her.”
As for other sports, Amanda played volleyball and basketball, but she opted to put more time into her rodeo events when she started High School. As a sophomore at Platte Valley High School in Kersey, Colorado, Amanda takes her academics very seriously. “I keep school a priority – I am a member in FFA and maintain a 4.0 GPA. I always find time to practice for my rodeo events, however. During the summer it’s pretty easy, but the rest of the year becomes a little challenging with school and daylight hours. Managing my time and staying up on my school work helps. I ride and/or practice as soon as I get home from school and do my homework after dark.” Although college is two and a half years out, Amanda has it on her mind. “I would like to go down south for college and continue my rodeo career. I am interested in some of the new technologies in the equine therapy industry, so I’m looking towards that direction for my education.”
When asked about mentors in her life, Amanda looks to her Grandpa Butch. “He had a double lung transplant a couple of years ago and still ropes in the Senior Pro rodeos. He maintains a ranch in Wheatland, spends the winters in Arizona, and overall has a great outlook on life.” The CJRA has also been great to her family. “The members are so helpful and supportive of each other. I remember looking up to the older girls when I first started and all the help they had given me, and now being that older girl, I hope to make a difference in those younger kids. It is a good feeling and I am grateful to be part of that family.”
As for the 2018 rodeo season, Amanda is looking forward to getting back in the arena. She will compete at CSHSRA as well as CJRA. “I have had a lot of horse changes this year so it will be a bit of trial and error, but I am hoping to be able to work on my horses and come back strong in my events,” she stated. “God has blessed me abundantly and I am excited to work towards my goals for 2018.”
