Amy Tryon rode a borrowed pony in her first 3-Day Event at the age of 8, and in the ensuing 20 years, has never lost her goal of riding for the United States. She finished high school in two years in order to gain upper level experience beyond the Pacific Northwest. From age 16 to 21, Amy traveled the country with two horses, competing, training with world-class instructors and supporting herself as a working student.

After completing college, Amy started her career as a professional firefighter, which allows her the flexibility to balance her career commitments with her equestrian goals. Amy also finds time to manage her 11-stall barn at her Mapleleaf Farm, ride 4 - 5 horses most days and volunteer as the EMT at several local horse competitions. Amy frequently donates her time to local Pony Clubs and 4-H groups, giving clinics in stable management and equitation.

With each new horse, Amy has asked herself, "Are we good enough to make it to the top?" Having one very talented horse is something all equestrian competitors hope for; having the opportunity to compete three such horses at the same time is the dream of a lifetime.

Amy's friends, family and long-time instructor, Ruth Weissiger Moore of Issaquah, WA, form the core of Amy's support group. All have reached out with extraordinary help to make Amy's journey possible. With only modest means at her disposal, Amy now needs to reach out to others.

POGGIO II
Poggio II is an 8-year old bay Thoroughbred gelding who had a short career on the race track and then as a pack horse in the mountains. In his first year as an event horse, he started at the novice level and capped off a thrilling year by winning the non-championship division at the Radnor Hunt International 3-Day CCI**. In 1999 only his second year of Eventing, Poggio competed in the Punchestown, Ireland 3-Day CCI***, finishing as the highest placed American combination. In July 1999, he dazzled the spectators at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada finishing 4th on his dressage score (a feat only managed by the Gold Medallist as well!)

MY BEAU
My Beau is a 10-year old Thoroughbred gelding owned by the Mesher family of Seattle and is on loan to Amy. Competed successfully at the Young Rider level by Leigh, Beau is talented in all three phases, and finished the 1999 Rolex 3-Day CCI*** in 26th. Amy is very honored to be asked to ride him.

What does the future hold? With his 21st placing at the 2000 Rolex International **** 3-Day Event, Beau will continue to strengthen his already excellent skills and build even more confidence at the very top levels of competition. Pogi, still young and green, with only two and a half years from pack horse to four-star event horse, needs another year to fine tune his tremendous ability. I am so grateful to have two generous and courageous horses that are young and have proven they have what it takes at the four-star level. With the continued support of friends and family, I think the 3-Day Event world will hear a lot about My Beau and Poggio II in the years to come.

Amy has been selected to train with Captain Mark Phillips, coach of the United States Equestrian Team. She will spend 4-6 months away from her home in Redmond, WA, training and competing with the best in the sport. If her winning ways continue, she has a good chance to be selected for further training or competition berths with the USET. Amy has worked many back-to-back 24-hour shifts as a firefighter in order to make this trip because she truly believes her horses have what it takes to reach the very top of the sport.

A unique opportunity exists to help this dedicated, deserving young woman. Armed with her own seriousness of purpose, the talent of her two horses and a wider financial base, Amy will be able to offer her gifted equine athletes as potential team members. With a budget of over $100,000 for 2000, Amy needs our help. She has established her eligibility to receive training and competition grants from the American Horse Trials Foundation. Each tax-deductible donation to the American Horse Trials Foundation will help Amy get her horses to the top.

If you wish to support Amy in her quest to represent the USA as a Team member, please make your tax deductible check payable to The American Horse Trials Foundation and mail to:

The American Horse Trials Foundation, Inc.
c/o Amy Tryon
24301 NE 115th St
Redmond, WA 98053
Or contact Amy at
furrypony@AOL.com

Please contact the AHTF directly for information about anonymous or non-cash contributions:
American Horse Trials Foundation Phone:  (949) 493-0198
3248 Paseo Gallita 
San Clemente, CA
92672-3520 Fax:      (949) 493-0269
Email: ahtf@juno.com