Rodeo champion, keynote speaker, and author Amberley Snyder will speak at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, in the center of the Colby Community College campus near the clock tower.

Snyder is an award-winning barrel racer who shares her story of triumph over tragedy to motivate others to believe in themselves and get "back on the horse."

Born in California, Snyder is the second of six children. From a young age, she fell in love with horses and began barrel racing at seven, competing in junior rodeos into high school while winning multiple titles and awards. As a senior, she finished as the National Little Britches World All-Around Cowgirl. Snyder also served as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) state president in 2009.

In January of 2010, she was involved in a rollover truck accident, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Eighteen months later, with a seat belt on her saddle, she returned to rodeo competition in barrel racing. Amberley has earned her place among professional barrel racers as a member of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association and won multiple awards with the Cowboy and Cowgirl halls of fame. Netflix released a movie based on her life titled, Walk. Ride. Rodeo. She was able to perform all of the post-crash horse stunts in the film.

The event, which will be streamed live, is sponsored by Colby Community College, the Kansas Horse Council and Peoples State Bank. Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.

For more information, contact Shanda Mattix at (785) 460-5464.