My name is Amanda and I am a final year student at Bangor University studying Marine Biology, and a veterinary technician at Angelsy Pet Clinic. I live in Bangor just a short drive from the A55, with my wonderful partner Aaron (left) and friend Alex. I started riding at the age of 3 when, unable to drag me away from the pony rides at the zoo and fed up of my begging and temper tantrums, my parents finally relinquished and sent me to have riding lessons at the local riding stables. I was their youngest rider and accompanied by my Grandma (Nin). After 3 years of lessons and many 'own a pony’ days, my family moved to Germany where I continued to have lessons until I was old enough to start working for rides. At the age of 12 I was working at "Affhollerbacher Giles Stall” a holiday farm; leading hacks, taking out cartridge rides and looking after the cart horses.

On my 11th birthday my parents bought me my first horse; Joyce who taught me how to not fall off! Being half Shetland and Hackney she was a challenge to say the least. But after sharing 5 wonderful years with her, I can now stay on anything! Joyce gave me a beautiful foal—Fern, who was a fiery as her mother but every bit as loved.

After Germany my family moved to America, where I had the pleasure of owning Zip, a wonderful Arab who I learnt to ride western on and how to heard cows. Echo, a fabulous Pinto pony who I competed with in various herding and penning competitions, and Elusive Chase, my much loved Through Breed who retired from racing at the age of 4 and needed retraining. Chase and I made a great hunter/jumper team at Rivendell Stables where I also worked taking care of the 35 livery horses.

During this time I also worked for 2 years with Thornwood Equine as an equine veterinary assistant. Learning more in-depth about horse care and receiving training in administration of medications, dressing of wounds, and signs of illness. I then worked for 2 years at the Grand Rapids Animal Emergency Hospital, as a veterinary technician, where I learnt all aspects of emergency and critical care. Two years ago on Christmas eve, I received the best present –Rascal, my now 3 year old terror on legs! Unfortunately his mum died giving birth and he needed to be hand raised, I took him home and he lived in a hamster cage, then a laundry hamper, and now he’s my fully grown baby boy!

As an experienced horse person, and horse owner and lover, I realize how difficult it can be to go away and leave your equine friend in the hands of another person.