CATZ Athlete makes Strides Toward 2012 Olympics

Amanda, a graduate of Orange Lutheran High School and a current student at Santiago Canyon College, competes in the Olympic Sport of Three Day Eventing, which combines Dressage Cross

Country and Stadium into a “horse triathalon.”

Robert Kellerhouse, event organizer for Galway Downs in Temecula, Ca, said, “I was surprised to find out that this was Butterfly’s first attempt at the Open Intermediate level. Amanda’s

riding reflected the maturity and steadiness of a professional,and the quality of the jumping and relaxed fashion butterfly displayed

was indicative of a more experienced horse.”

“I was a bit nervous before we started due to the height and difficulty of some of the combinations,” Amanda said, “but Butterfly

jumped them so easily that it felt like we going Preliminary (the next lowest level).” Amanda competed at Galway Downs, March 28-30th, and hopes to complete her first CCI 2 Star event in Paso Robles this month. Her goal is to reach the Advanced level by the end of 2008 and make the Olympic Team in 2012. Last September Amanda was

asked to join another rider who was competing in Pau France (Olympic qualifying event). Amanda was honored to be part of the Four Star event with this Olympic contender. She was able to groom horses, walk courses and interact with riders from all over the world. Amanda will travel to Rolex, Kentucky this month to be part of this same team.

The daughter of Tim and Terry Volk of Orange Park Acres,Amanda and 12 other high school students visited Kenya last year on a Calvary Church mission. The purpose of the trip was to teach an abstinence program “Choose to Wait” within the public school system and to visit people afflicted with HIV/Aids. She had

hoped to return to Kenya this year but,

considering the political unrest, chose

to help build a house in Mexico with the

“Homes for Hope Ministry.”

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