Feb. 22, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina equestrian coach Boo Major on Monday announced the signing of western rider Amber Edmonds (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex Regional High School) to a National Letter of Intent to join the Gamecocks for the 2016-17 season. Edmonds will compete in reining for the Gamecocks.

“Amber has an extensive reining background and we are looking forward to having her join us next season,” Major said. “She’s been very successful up and down the east coast and that says a lot about her abilities and her commitment to the sport. We think she’s going to be a great addition to our program and we’re excited to see what we can do for us.”

Edmonds trains with Josiane Gauthier.

In 2015, Edmonds was a qualifier at the Southeast Affiliate Finals and at the North American Affiliate Championship. In 2014, she was the Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association (EPRHA) 14-18 Year End Champion, and was a Northeast Affiliate Finals and North American Affiliate Championship Finals Qualifier. Edmonds was also the Virginia Reining Horse Association (VRHA) Youth 14-18 Year End Champion. In 2013, she was the NERHA Youth 14-18 Year End third place & NERHA Most Improved Youth Reiner, and she was also on the championship team at the North East Affiliate Championship Youth Team Tournament.

Her parents are David and Margaret Edmonds, and she has two brothers, Brian and Kyle Edmonds.

A senior at North Middlesex Regional High School, Edmonds academically ranks in the top-25 of her class, having been a regular member of the high honor roll. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and the only member of her class that was inducted as a sophomore. She’s a member her school’s Student Council and is also a student representative to the school committee.