Amanda started her IHSA career as an undergrad in 2008 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst under the guidance of coaches Sandra Whitmore and Amy Hollowell. She was the captain of the UMass Western Team for 3 years and managed many shows and team events. Her IHSA showing career started off in advanced horsemanship and she quickly pointed up into open horsemanship and reining. Over her 4 year career she qualified for both regionals and semi finals 3 years in a row, and represented her zone at nationals in open reining and as the AQHA High Point Rider in 2011. Not only did being a member of an IHSA western team bring big rewards in the show ring, it also created lifelong friendships and opportunities in the horse world that ultimately led to her coaching position with the Mount Holyoke College Western Team.
Amanda started her coaching career as a youth coach at Cold Brook Stables in Vernon Vermont in the spring of 2016 where she specializes in western horsemanship, showmanship, and hunter under saddle events. She as been teaching lessons as a licensed instructor since 2014. As well as coaching, Amanda is also Co-Leader of the Solid, Stripes, and Spots 4-H club which calls Cold Brook Stables its home. The club is composed of 10-12 strong young women who travel across Vermont and Massachusetts promoting their horse projects all the way from local shows to the New England 4-H Horse show at the Big E fairgrounds. They also showcase their knowledge in events such as hipology, quiz bowl, and horse judging.
Born into the horse industry and raised among many great horsemen and women, her main supporter and educator is her father, Ed Golembeski. He taught her everything he knew from an early age and gave her the tools to become a successful instructor, trainer, and judge. Her mother, Debbie, supported her at every horse show. She grew up on her family farm in Gill, Massachusetts breeding, raising, and showing Appaloosas and Quarter Horses. Amanda started her showing career in 4-H as a member of the Hills of Gill 4-H Club and showed on the 4-H circuit as well as open horse shows. Riding under many amazing instructors and trainers throughout the years gave her the skills and knowledge to begin training on her own. Amanda specializes in starting colts and fillies all the way to finishing the seasoned show horse. She currently enjoys showing her Appaloosa Scooter, and her Quarter Horse Blaze.
Out of high school Amanda began apprenticing with judges and learning everything she could in the show ring. She earned her 4-H and Open Horse Show Association judges cards and was soon promoted to a New England 4-H A rated judge. She especially enjoys judging 4-H shows and seeing the growth of the participants from year to year. She also enjoys traveling across New England as an open horse show judge. Her goal as a judge is to offer support and encouragement to the youth of the horse world to promote the next generation.
Amanda works full time as a veterinary technician at a busy small animal hospital. She loves using her skills and knowledge to educate the public on safe and healthy care for their pets. She currently lives on her family farm with her 4 horses, dog, cats, and parrot. Amanda cannot wait to see where this journey takes her.