30 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
Agatha D’Ambra Jumps
Into Entrepreneurship
Agatha D’Ambra is a self-made businesswoman and
entrepreneur who transformed a childhood passion into career
success. At the age of 26, Agatha, who has been in love with
horses since she was little, owns her own farm in Rexford, New
York.
As an award-winning equestrian, Agatha competed in the Zoetis
Million Dollar Grand Prix in Saugerties. She not only experiences
the challenges of competition, but also the business aspect of the
industry. She owns and operates Trade Winds Farms, a state-of-
the-art facility that she built from ground up. With a passion for
horses that extends beyond the competitions, Agatha has created
a lifestyle immersed in the equestrian industry and built on her
love for connecting with her beloved equines.
“When I was young, I used to dream of becoming a barrel racer,”
said Agatha. “We didn’t live in an area with a lot of opportunity for
this event so I quickly turned my attention toward jumping and was
literally hooked after my first try.”
At the age of 12, Agatha received her first horse and rapidly
learned the humility of equestrian sports thanks to a testy mount
that tossed her off almost every day. Agatha was educated at
a young age that the relationship between horse and rider is a
complex partnership – that you can be as good as you want, but
at the end of the day your horse has a mind of its own.
Agatha’s commitment to the sport began to mature at the age of
14 when she started competing nationally. Now, as a professional
grand prix show jumper she competes internationally from
the International Bromont in Quebec to the Royal Winter Fair in
Toronto and at the Hampton Classic in New York.
Desiring the highest quality treatment and care for her horses,
Agatha built Trade Winds Farm in 2001 to ensure her horses would
receive the best accommodations and management possible. “I
have a very dedicated staff of 10 employees that assist me daily,”
Agatha said. “Our facilities are capable of housing 25 horses. I
currently board 20, five of which are grand prix horses. Others
include retired show horses, broodmares and a mini horse I
rescued from a slaughterhouse auction.”
As a dedicated trainer to young and up-and-coming riders,
Agatha has also experienced the privilege of training under some
of the best in the industry, including U.S. Olympic gold medalist
Peter Wylde.
(Make sure you read the great story on Peter Wylde
in this issue. Peter also appears on our cover).
“It’s indescribable, having the opportunity to be mentored by
someone as talented as Peter,” said Agatha. “Knowing what his
support has done for my career, I want to make sure I continue to
nurture the next generation of riders – it’s very important to have
a role model in this sport. ”
The guidance and technique learned from these industry
leaders showed Agatha firsthand the level of dedication that
goes into being a top competitor. Agatha’s 2013 resume shows
off her dedication with six top-10 placings in grand prix classes,
including winning the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix in Saugerties,
New York. Agatha has recently found success behind her
competitive victories by signing her first sponsor, Elite Equine
Veterinary Practice, a modern mobile practice offering
comprehensive medical and surgical care to horses throughout
Upstate and Central New York.
Agatha believes in giving back to the sport she loves and has
donated approximately $50,000 of her prize money to the non-
profit organization Just World International. She has also worked
with Whiskers Cat Adoption to help abandoned, abused and stray
animals find permanent homes and has fostered dogs from high-
kill shelters, flying them from Florida to New York to help them find
loving care.
“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to transform
my childhood passion for horses into a life-long career,” said
Agatha. “This is not a hobby for me, but a lifestyle commitment
that requires 100 percent of my time and dedication beyond the
competition circuit. It’s definitely hard work but I love what I do!”
Agatha D’Ambra
Photos by The Book LLC 2013
