Walk. Ride. Rodeo. 2019

Car crash on the way to Denver

Amberley Snyder loses control of her truck and crashes while on the way to Denver. She is thrown from the vehicle and hits a fence pole, leaving her paraplegic. She is rushed to hospital where doctors confirm she will spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Hospitalization and diagnosis

At the hospital, doctors confirm she has paraplegia and will spend her life in a wheelchair. The news shakes Amberley and her family as they begin to face an entirely new reality. She starts to grapple with the prognosis and what it means for her future in rodeo.

Six-week rehabilitation

Amberley enters a six-week rehabilitation program to adapt to life in a wheelchair. She pushes herself to regain strength and learns new ways to move and balance. The process is challenging, but it begins to reshape her outlook.

Return home and initial struggles

Back home, Amberley is despondent and lashes out at her mother Tina as she confronts the limits of what she can do. She slowly begins to find balance and strength in her upper body, laying groundwork for independence. The home environment becomes a space of adjustment and care.

Video calls with Tate and growing bond

Amberley exchanges emails and video calls with Tate Watkins from the FFA, and their relationship grows over a number of weeks. They discuss her possibility of participating in events and share glimpses of support and encouragement. The connection helps her look forward to what she can still achieve.

Adapting to daily life: driving and saddle seat belt

With determination, she learns to drive and discovers she can still ride a horse by attaching a seat belt to her saddle. These adaptations restore a level of independence and mobility. The adjustments prove crucial for her training and self-confidence.

Starts college

Amberley enrolls at Utah South College, beginning a new chapter in her life. She balances academics with her continuing training and rodeo goals. The combination marks a new level of commitment to her future both on and off the arena.

Spanish Fork Rodeo: second place

Less than a year after the accident, she competes in the Spanish Fork Rodeo and secures second place. The result signals a major milestone in her comeback and demonstrates what is possible post-injury. Her drive and skill begin to attract attention from fans and peers.

Concealing a pressure sore and collapse

While training for The American Rodeo, Amberley hides an infected pressure sore from her family. The secrecy culminates in a collapse that leads to another hospital visit. The episode underscores the ongoing physical toll of her comeback.

Recovery and return to training

Six weeks after the collapse, Amberley has recovered and returns to training. She is buoyed by fan mail and messages from people in similar situations, which reinforce her determination. Her renewed focus sets the stage for The American Rodeo.

The American Rodeo: kiss with Tate

At The American Rodeo, Amberley and Tate share a romantic kiss that symbolizes a new chapter in their relationship. Tina expresses pride in how far Amberley has come, noting that it opened her heart. The moment captures a turning point in Amberley's personal and athletic journey.

Tina's encouragement and the ride like the wind moment

Tina tells Amberley that she may have lost the use of her legs, but it has opened up her heart. She urges Amberley to ride like the wind and embrace her renewed purpose. The moment reflects the family support that fuels Amberley's ongoing comeback.