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 This
year the scholarship competition was very stiff and
all applicants were very deserving of a scholarship.
However, only one can be selected and this year it
was Amanda (Mandi) Soter from Pascoag, RI. Mandi as
most know her, is the daughter of Eric & Denise
Soter and younger sister to Derek and graduated from
Burrillville High in Harrisville, RI with a GPA of
3.3841 and a class ranking of 67 out of 174.
She is attending the William Woods University in
Fulton MO where she is double majoring in equine
studies and journalism and public relations. Her
decision to double major was very farsighted for a
person of such a young age. “I am pursing a double
major in the off chance that I get hurt doing what I
love. When I think of bring a journalist the last
thing that comes to mind is being in an office day
to day. I can still travel to horse shows, cheer on
fellow competitors, and then turn their victories
into public information. I can tie everything I love
to my career …”
Her coach and trainer for over 13 years, Rebecca
Guilbault-Triplett states, “I can say with great
honesty that Miss Soter is an asset to anything she
does and find her to be hardworking, intelligent and
very mindful young lady who rises to any occasion
and takes the lead for others to follow. “She is
always quick with a smile and a compliment for
fellow teammates.”
After riding a number of years on horses she did not
own, Mandi took on a great responsibility others
would not have considered. She decided to purchase a
young 3-year-old Half-Arabian mare, Jazz Interlude
in B, from her trainer paying for it herself. With
Jazz, Mandi has acquired many ribbons, but her
favorite is her 2006 Region 16 Hunt Seat Equitation
Reserve Champions. “Jazz was four-years-old, and had
picked up a bad habit of rearing during patterns due
to anticipation. Although we weren’t completely over
this, I attempted the equitation class. I practiced
for hours before the class and when it finally came,
the class was flawless. Then came time for the
pattern, which required a halt from a canter then a
turn on the forehand. That was my worst nightmare
because it was the perfect recipe for her to rear.
During the pattern she gave a little hop but didn’t
rear like she had been, and I was overwhelmed with
joy.” “We made Top 5 and my parents, my trainer and
I began to cry, and as I was walking back to the
rail they called my number again for the Reserve
Championship ribbon. I could not believe it. My
horse had won me a Regional Reserve Championship as
a four year old, and I felt as I had won the
National Championship.” Mandi’s dad submitted the
video of this class to William Woods and it won her
a scholarship for riding.
Mandi not only shows her horse in Equitation,
Dressage, Hunter Pleasure, Working Hunter and Sport
Horse, she has also been a captain of the Relay for
Life, which is a walk for cancer in 2002 and 2003 as
well serving as Region 16 Youth Director in 2006.
Region 16 wishes Mandi, the best of luck in her
endeavors
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| The REGION 16 of
AHA SCHOLARSHIP fund was created to recognize
accomplishment, ambition and aspiration for a
college education by an individual lacking
sufficient financial resources to accomplish his or
her educational goals and having involvement with
Arabian horses. A $1,000.00 scholarship is available
for one qualified applicant each year. For further
scholarship information please see
Scholarship Page. |
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2011
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER - LORIEN SOPCHAK |
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2010 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER -
JASMINE KOMPARE |
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2009 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER -
ARYN RAPP |
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2007 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
- LORA
C0LLMAN |
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2006 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER -
BAILEY RICHARDS |
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2005 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER -
SHANNON PRICE-HEALD |
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