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Speaking
A Team GB athlete who rebuilt her sport from scratch, and talks about it with honesty and humour.
Why audiences connect with Amanda
In 2012 Amanda was told she had an incurable neurological movement disorder. The next year she was riding for Great Britain. In 2024 she took up a second sport, and within six months of her first competition she finished 9th at the World Championships.
When she visited Tickford Park School in Milton Keynes, the school said it was “fascinating listening to her achievements and ‘can do’ attitude”, and the children “asked some fantastic questions”.
She has ridden demonstrations in front of packed stands, including at the British Horse Society’s National Coaching Convention in 2017. She has given talks and ridden demos for the British Horse Society, Blenheim Horse Trials, British Dressage, Young Farmers, primary and secondary schools, and disability riding groups.
She doesn’t do polished motivational clichés. She talks about what it actually takes: the setbacks, the team behind her, the horses, and the decision to keep saying yes to the next challenge.
Talks
Take the risk or lose the chance
Reinvention after a life-changing diagnosis, and why Amanda chose to start again at 31 rather than step away from the sport she loved.
Living with an invisible enemy
What dystonia is, how it affects daily life and competition, and what employers, schools and clubs can do to make room for disabled people to thrive.
Partnership
From horses to grooms, coaches, sponsors and family: how elite para sport depends on trust, communication and a team that pulls together.
The road to Team GB
An inside view of para dressage and para driving: classification, selection, international competition and the real cost of getting to the start line.
Good fit for
- Staff conferences and away days
- Wellbeing, inclusion and disability awareness weeks
- Schools and colleges
- Pony Clubs, riding clubs and RDA groups
- Charity dinners and fundraisers
- Customer and sponsor events
Formats
- Keynote talk with Q&A
- Panel or interview-style session
- Club talk on para dressage and judging
- Prize-givings and show appearances
- Brand shoots and product launches
Talks and demonstrations
From packed arenas to classrooms: the British Horse Society, Blenheim Horse Trials, British Dressage, Young Farmers, schools and disability riding groups.
For the equestrian world
Amanda is a qualified Riding for the Disabled Association dressage judge and has trained as a British Dressage judge. She is a rider mentor with the Para Equestrian Foundation, so she can speak with authority to riders and organisers who want to open up their sport to disabled riders.
Clubs and venues can book her to talk about the para pathway, explain how grading and tests work, or present at shows and championships.
Access. Amanda uses a wheelchair and mobility aids. Step-free access to the stage or speaking area makes for a smooth event, and she’s happy to talk this through when you book.