My Story

I was literally raised in a barn and put on a pony before I could walk. Hi! I’m Amarinthia, a 25 yr old equestrian from South Carolina. I grew up on a 40+ acre farm in Abbeville, SC. My mom ran a successful boarding and lesson business for all of my life, so horses have been my life!

From an early age, I knew I wanted to be with horses. I started showing at age 4 and got my first show pony at age 6. He was a famous small pony who was for sale because his lease person didn’t see eye to eye with him! We got along and he was my best buddy- we won many year end PSJ and SCHJA awards for the next 2 years. More importantly, he was my trusted friend that I could just hang out with. Unfortunately, we had to put him down just 4.5 years later due to melanomas. That was a big life lesson.

Being a trainer’s daughter, I got to ride lots of different horses. I was fortunate to always have one of my own. My next pony was a large paint pony and he was not easy! We found our place in Jumpers and were successful for several years in Hopeful and Progressive jumpers as well as Pony Club. I had to work very hard on flat work with him to be successful in the Jumpers.

We then adopted an OTTB so I could have that thoroughbred experience. I am still slowly bringing him along and deciding what discipline he is going to be best in- hunters or jumpers. I hope jumpers! While he was chilling out for a year or so, I was able to get a warmblood to show in the 15-17 and medal classes. Our highlight was reserve in the PSJ medal 2016.

After about 6 months off from working at a barn to get my GED in 2019, I started bringing my OTTB back into training. He sustained an injury to his gluteal muscle, we had about a year of rehab. Although he did go back to regular work, his body could not sustain the level of training I needed so he is semi-retired at a summer camp.

My parents and I recently purchased a more suitable mount- another ottb! Percy and I just competed at a New Vocations show in Aiken.

Every single horse I have ridden has taught me something- sometimes just how to work through frustration, sometimes to build up my confidence, sometimes to figure out what not to do. I am looking forward to learning more about my equine partners and the equine business.