Amanda Knowles exhibited a love of animals from a very early age, turning that love into a successful career as a show jumping athlete. First introduced to riding at the age of six while on a family holiday in the Dominican Republic, Amanda began taking regular lessons the following year. With a leased pony, Nickles and Dimes, she enjoyed her first taste of success competing on the Ontario provincial circuit.
By the time she was eight, Amanda was determined to compete at the highest level she was capable of and began training with Mark Hayes, well-known for his ability to coach aspiring athletes to the top levels. Beginning in 1998, Mark coached Amanda to some of the greatest highlights in her career. In 2004, she qualified for her second consecutive FEI Children’s Final. Having successfully represented Canada with a top five finish in the 2003 Children’s Final held at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, Amanda earned her 2004 invitation by posting four clear rounds in the Canadian Qualifier. Not only was Amanda the top Canadian, but she was also the top performer in her FEI Qualifying Group riding her new seven-year-old mount, Joconde de Sisse. At the 2004 FEI Children’s Final held in California, Amanda rode a clear round with a borrowed mount to place second in the Farewell competition. As a result, Amanda was named the ‘Jump Canada Athlete of the Month’ for December, an honour usually bestowed on professional riders.
In addition to her success in the show jumping ring, Amanda has also enjoyed numerous victories in the Hunter and Equitation Medal divisions. At HITS Saugerties, New York, in 2004, Amanda was crowned the High Junior/Amateur Jumper Champion and, incredibly, won the prestigious MacLay Medal, the HBO Junior Medal and the Washington International Horse Show Medal. Back home in Canada, she was named the Leading Equitation Rider, an incredible accomplishment at the age of 14. In 2005, Amanda achieved her goal of becoming a member of the Junior Team for the North American Young Riders’ Championship where she helped Ontario win its second consecutive Team Silver Medal. She capped off the show season by winning the Jump Canada Medal Finals and finishing third in the CET Medal Finals.
In 2006, Amanda began training with Martien van der Hoeven. The highlight of her year was a Team Bronze Medal won at the North American Young Riders' Championship riding Mill Creek Marco Taere, a horse that Amanda had only leased one week earlier. The following year, 2007, Amanda began training with two-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion, Ainsley Vince. Amanda also receives help from American Olympian Peter Leone while contesting the highly competitive equitation divisions in the U.S.
Amanda's parents, Rick and Debbie Knowles, and her sisters, Melanie and Elizabeth, wholeheartedly support her athletic career. Amanda attributes her success to her trainers, her love of her horses, her commitment and hard work, and her family’s support. Despite missing a great deal of time at school due to her heavy competition schedule, Amanda, a grade 12 student, maintains her place on the Honour Roll.
Mill Creek Marco Taere 1994 chestnut Belgian Warmblood gelding by Darco
Owner: Amanda Knowles
Spygirl 1995 bay Belgian Warmblood mare, 16.1hh by Narcos II
Owner: Bayshore Farms
Julia du Brio 1997 bay selle francais mare, by Diamant Rouge II
Owner: Bayshore Farms
McLovin 2001 liver chestnut selle francais gelding by Voltaire
Owner: Bayshore Farms
Othello du Pas 2002 black selle francais gelding by Darco
Owner: Bayshore Farms
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