Amberley Snyder’s life changed dramatically on January 10, 2010, when a devastating rollover car accident left the championship barrel racer paralyzed from the waist down. Despite suffering a T12 spinal cord injury, Snyder returned to competitive rodeo using custom adaptive equipment, ultimately becoming a renowned motivational speaker and subject of the Netflix film Walk. Ride. Rodeo.
The 2010 Accident: How the Incident Occurred
On the morning of January 10, 2010, Amberley Snyder was driving from her hometown in Utah toward Denver, Colorado, to attend the National Western Stock Show. At 18 years old, she was already an accomplished equestrian, having won the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) All-Around Cowgirl title in 2009.
While traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 through southern Wyoming, Snyder pulled into a gas station near Rawlins. After refueling, she briefly unbuckled her seatbelt to retrieve a road map from the passenger seat. In a fateful oversight, she failed to re-fasten her seatbelt before pulling back onto the highway.
While driving down Interstate 80, Snyder looked down at her map for a brief moment. During those few seconds of distraction, her Dodge pickup truck drifted off the pavement toward the median. Realizing her vehicle was off course, Snyder attempted to correct the vehicle's trajectory. Overcorrecting at high highway speeds caused the truck's tires to catch the soft dirt in the median, triggering a violent rollover crash.
Because Snyder was not wearing her seatbelt, the rotational forces of the crash ejected her through the driver's side window. She was thrown from the rolling vehicle and collided violently with a fence post along the highway margin.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. Snyder remained conscious on the ground, immediately realizing she could not feel or move her legs. She was stabilized by paramedics and airlifted to Regional Medical Center in Casper, Wyoming, for emergency surgical intervention.
Medical Diagnosis: T12 Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Trauma
At the hospital, trauma surgeons evaluated Snyder’s injuries. Diagnostic imaging revealed a severe fracture-dislocation of her T12 (twelfth thoracic) vertebra. The violent impact had shattered the bone and completely compressed her spinal cord, causing an immediate loss of motor function and sensation below her waist.
Spinal Column Overview: cervical (C1–C7) -> Neck region Thoracic (T1–T12) -> Mid-back region (T12 sits at bottom of ribcage) Lumbar (L1–L5) -> Lower back region Sacral (S1–S5) -> Pelvic region
The T12 vertebra is located at the transition zone between the thoracic spine (mid-back) and the lumbar spine (lower back). A complete T12 spinal cord injury generally preserves full function of the upper body, arm movement, chest, and upper abdominal muscles. However, it results in complete paraplegia, eliminating voluntary control over the hips, legs, ankles, and feet, as well as altering bowel and bladder management.
The Emergency Surgery and Initial Recovery
Surgeons performed a complex five-hour operation to stabilize Snyder's spinal column. The surgical team inserted metal rods, plates, and screws along her spine to fuse the fractured vertebrae and alleviate pressure on surrounding tissues.
Following surgery, physicians delivered a somber prognosis: Snyder had less than a 1% chance of ever regaining sensation or motor function in her lower extremities.
The immediate post-surgical recovery period required extensive medical care to address severe physiological complications common to acute spinal cord injuries:
- Neurogenic Shock and Blood Pressure Regulation: Disruption of nervous system signals required constant monitoring of heart rate and vascular stability.
- Pain Management: Severe neuropathic pain (phantom sensations, burning, and nerve shooting pain) accompanied the mechanical trauma of the surgery and spinal break.
- Preventing Secondary Complications: Medical teams worked aggressively to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolisms, and skin breakdown (pressure ulcers) resulting from immobility.
Physical Rehabilitation: Overcoming the Physical and Emotional Toll
Following her initial stabilization in Casper, Snyder was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation hospital to begin intensive physical and occupational therapy. For an athlete whose identity and daily life revolved around horseback riding, facing permanent paralysis presented immense emotional and physical challenges.
Timeline of Recovery: Jan 10, 2010 --> Car accident on I-80 in Wyoming Jan 2010 --> Emergency T12 spinal fusion surgery Feb–Apr 2010 --> Inpatient physical therapy & wheelchair mobility training May 2010 --> First return to horseback riding (4 months post-accident) 2015 --> Competed in RFD-TV's The American at AT&T Stadium 2019 --> Release of Netflix biopic "Walk. Ride. Rodeo."
Rehabilitation Goals and Adaptation
Inpatient physical therapy focused on enabling independence in daily life activities. Snyder had to learn:
- Wheelchair Independence: Mastering manual wheelchair propulsion, curb maneuvering, and navigating varied terrains.
- Transfers: Moving safely between her wheelchair, bed, car seat, and bathroom facilities without lower-body muscle assistance.
- Core Stabilization: Building upper-abdominal and lower-back muscle strength to compensate for lost pelvic stability.
While medical professionals focused on adapting Snyder to a life built around wheelchair accessibility, Snyder maintained one primary goal throughout her rehabilitation: returning to barrel racing.
When physical therapists asked what her personal goals were, Snyder famously told them, "Walk. Ride. Rodeo." This phrase later became her personal motto and the title of her autobiographical movie.
Returning to the Saddle: Adaptive Equestrian Engineering
Just four months after her catastrophic accident, Snyder returned to her family's farm and climbed back onto a horse. However, riding without lower-body control posed severe physical and safety challenges.
In traditional equestrian sports—and specifically in high-speed events like barrel racing—riders depend heavily on their legs, feet, seat pressure, and pelvic shifts to guide the horse, maintain balance, and absorb rotational forces. Without leg function, Snyder could not squeeze the horse to signal speed, use spurs, or brace herself in the stirrups during sharp turns.
Custom Adaptive Tack Innovations
To solve these physical limitations, Snyder and her family engineered customized adaptive tack (equestrian equipment) that secured her position in the saddle without sacrificing safety:
- Saddle Lap Belt: A modified heavy-duty seatbelt attached directly to the saddle tree. Securing this belt around her waist holds her pelvis firmly into the deep seat of her custom saddle, preventing her from slipping forward or sideways during fast turns.
- Velcro Leg Straps: Heavy-duty Velcro straps secure her legs flush against the horse's sides and fenders of the saddle. This prevents her feet from swinging wildly or slipping out of the stirrups while galloping.
- Saddle Horn Balance Strap: A thick nylon strap mounted near the saddle horn provides an anchor for her left hand, allowing her to brace her upper body when rounding tight barrel turns.
- Customized High-Density Foam Padding: Specialized gel and foam padding are placed beneath her in the saddle to distribute weight evenly, preventing friction and skin breakdown during rigorous riding sessions.
Retraining Her Horses
Equally important to the adaptive tack was retraining her horses. Barrel racing horses are trained to respond instantly to leg pressure and heel cues. Snyder had to teach her main horses—including her prized barrel horse, Power—to rely entirely on alternative cues:
- Vocal Commands: Teaching the horse specific verbal cues for acceleration, slowing down, and turns.
- Rein and Hand Positioning: Relying on precise neck-reining pressure and hand placement along the horse's neck to communicate direction and speed changes.
- Seat Weight Distribution: Utilizing subtle upper-body leaning to signal directional shifts.
Through patience and rigorous practice, Snyder and her horses developed a seamless communication system that allowed them to perform at professional levels once again.
Major Milestones and Professional Achievements
Snyder’s return to barrel racing was not merely ceremonial; she returned as a serious competitor in regional and national rodeo events. Her determination caught the attention of the global rodeo community and general public alike.
The 2015 American Rodeo Fan Exemption
In 2015, Snyder received the Fan Exemption vote to compete at RFD-TV's The American, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The American is one of the richest one-day rodeo events in the world, bringing together top elite professionals and open qualifiers.
Riding her horse Power in front of tens of thousands of spectators, Snyder executed a clean, high-speed barrel run with a time of 15.95 seconds. Her performance earned a standing ovation from the crowd and solidified her standing as a elite adaptive athlete in professional rodeo.
Motivational Speaking and Publishing
Beyond rodeo arenas, Snyder built a career as a popular motivational speaker. She addresses corporate conferences, youth organizations, and medical assemblies across the United States, sharing her insights on resilience, overcoming sudden disability, and setting goals despite life-altering adversity.
In 2017, she published an illustrated children's book titled Ride Every Stride, which chronicles her journey, her love for horses, and her lessons in perseverance.
The Netflix Film: Walk. Ride. Rodeo. (2019)
In March 2019, Netflix released Walk. Ride. Rodeo., a feature film depicting Amberley Snyder's life story, starring actress Missi Pyle and Spencer Locke as Amberley.
What made the production unique was Snyder’s direct involvement as a stunt performer:
- Pre-Accident Stunts: Snyder’s younger sister, Autumn Snyder, performed the pre-accident riding stunts because of her similar riding style and physical likeness to Amberley prior to 2010.
- Post-Accident Stunts: Amberley Snyder performed all the post-accident horse riding stunts herself. She served as the stunt double for Spencer Locke during high-speed barrel racing sequences, ensuring that the portrayal of adaptive riding was entirely authentic.
Breakdown of the Crash, Medical Data, and Rehabilitation
To understand the scope of Amberley Snyder's accident and recovery, the table below provides a detailed comparison of the key technical, medical, and practical factors surrounding her event:
| Event / Aspect | Historical & Medical Details | Operational & Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Crash Date & Location | January 10, 2010; Interstate 80 near Rawlins, Wyoming | Highway rollover in a remote region requiring air medical evacuation. |
| Primary Crash Cause | Driver distraction (looking at a paper map) coupled with lack of seatbelt usage | Demonstrates how momentary distraction combined with unbuckled restraints leads to vehicle ejection. |
| Primary Injury | Severe fracture-dislocation of T12 thoracic vertebra | Caused complete compression of the spinal cord, resulting in T12 paraplegia. |
| Surgical Procedure | 5-hour emergency spinal fusion with metal rods, plates, and screws | Stabilized the spinal column to allow physical rehabilitation and safe seating. |
| Medical Prognosis | Less than 1% chance of regaining lower-body feeling or movement | Highlighted the transition from pursuing physical cure to pursuing functional adaptation. |
| Adaptive Modifications | Custom saddle waist belt, Velcro leg straps, horn balance strap | Secured pelvis and lower extremities to maintain balance during high-g turns. |
| Rodeo Return Milestone | Four months to get back on a horse; competed at The American in 2015 | Proved that complete paraplegia does not prevent high-level competitive rodeo execution. |
| Film Adaptation | Walk. Ride. Rodeo. (Netflix, 2019) | Snyder performed her own post-accident riding stunts, bringing visibility to adaptive sports. |
Critical Road Safety and Distracted Driving Lessons
Amberley Snyder's accident provides critical insights into motor vehicle safety, emergency preparedness, and the physical dynamics of highway crashes. Snyder routinely highlights these lessons in her public speaking engagements to help prevent similar tragedies.
1. The Critical Importance of Continuous Seatbelt Use
The primary factor in the severity of Snyder's injuries was being unbuckled at the moment of impact. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45% and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50%.
In rollover accidents specifically:
- Unbuckled occupants are 30 times more likely to be ejected from the vehicle than buckled occupants.
- Three out of four drivers who are ejected from a vehicle during a rollover crash suffer fatal injuries.
- Ejection dramatically increases the risk of direct impact with ground obstacles, tree limbs, or fence posts, which is the leading cause of severe spinal cord transection.
Snyder’s accident serves as a reminder that seatbelts must remain fastened at all times while the vehicle is in motion, even on familiar routes or straight highway stretches.
2. Distracted Driving Risks at Highway Speeds
Looking down at a physical map, phone, or navigation unit for just four seconds while traveling at 70 miles per hour means covering more than the length of a football field completely unblinded to lane drift.
Distance Covered During 4 Seconds of Distraction: Speed: 70 mph (102.6 feet per second) 4 Seconds = 410.4 Feet total distance traveled without looking at the road
When a vehicle's wheels drop off the paved shoulder into dirt or gravel, natural driver instinct often leads to rapid overcorrection. Turning the steering wheel sharply at high speeds creates extreme lateral forces that destabilize high-center-of-gravity vehicles like trucks and SUVs, causing them to tip and roll.
Drivers can learn more about spinal injury rehabilitation and emergency resources through organizations like the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and medical overview hubs like Mayo Clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Amberley Snyder’s car accident?
Amberley Snyder’s car accident was caused by a momentary distraction when she looked down at a road map while driving on Interstate 80 in Wyoming. Her truck drifted off the road, and when she overcorrected to bring the vehicle back onto the pavement, the truck rolled over multiple times. She was ejected from the vehicle because she was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash.
What level of spinal cord injury did Amberley Snyder sustain?
Amberley Snyder sustained a T12 (twelfth thoracic) spinal cord injury. This fracture-dislocation resulted in complete paraplegia, causing a total loss of sensation and voluntary motor control from the waist down while preserving full control of her arms, hands, and upper chest.
How does Amberley Snyder stay on her horse while barrel racing?
Snyder uses custom adaptive tack designed for safety and stability. She fastens a modified seatbelt around her waist to lock her pelvis into the saddle, uses heavy-duty Velcro straps to keep her legs flush against the horse’s flanks, and uses a nylon balance strap on the saddle horn for upper-body support during turns.
Did Amberley Snyder perform her own stunts in the Netflix movie Walk. Ride. Rodeo.?
Yes. Amberley Snyder performed all of the post-accident horseback riding stunts herself as the stunt double for actress Spencer Locke in Walk. Ride. Rodeo. Her younger sister, Autumn Snyder, performed the pre-accident riding stunts due to their similar riding styles prior to the 2010 crash.
Is Amberley Snyder still competing in rodeo today?
Yes, Snyder actively competes in barrel racing events, gives equestrian clinics, and travels extensively as a motivational speaker. She continues to showcase adaptive riding capabilities across North America.
Practical Takeaways and Moving Forward
Amberley Snyder’s experience offers valuable operational, physical, and mindset lessons for drivers, athletes, and anyone navigating major life disruptions:
- Prioritize Vehicle Restraint Discipline: Always verify that every passenger is buckled before shifting a vehicle into drive. Never unbuckle while in motion to reach for items, maps, or devices.
- Mitigate Roadside Distractions: Pull over completely to a safe shoulder or rest stop whenever you need to check navigation tools, attend to cargo, or handle physical maps.
- Explore Adaptive Technology: Sudden physical limitations do not mean the end of athletic or professional pursuits. Modified gear, custom tack, and retrained communication pathways can make high-level performance possible after severe injuries.
- Focus on Functional Adaptations: Progress often comes from adapting your environment and methods to your current capabilities, rather than waiting for physical circumstances to return to how they used to be.
