What’s one thing your horse has taught you
throughout your partnership?
As an Adult Amateur with a full-time job in
academia, I’ve learned this year that following
my passion for horses—especially ZZ—is not
something I should squash just because it’s
not a “normal hobby.” It’s important for me to
make time to go to the barn every day before
work. This horse is worth it! And he’s teaching
me that I’m worth it too.
Is there anything you and your horse have
been working on that you’re especially
excited to showcase?
This is our first year competing in a Musical
Freestyle category, and we are having a BLAST!
Combining horses and music is a total dream
come true. I already love riding, but having
Broadway show tunes playing aloud during my
pattern makes me grin!
What is one goal you have for yourself
going into the championships?
My first goal is to stay on the right side of the
tack! My second goal is to place in the ribbons.
What do you like to do when you’re not
riding? Anything else interesting or
unusual about you?
I am a professional opera singer and teach
opera and voice at the collegiate level! There
are actually lots of parallels between preparing
for a horse show and rehearsing for an operatic
performance. The daily grind, the positive self-
talk and the visualizations are all really similar.
I am competitive in this sport just like I work
for time onstage singing. And as a bonus, the
sports psychology I practice with my horse is
a skill I can translate to music performance
psychology and teach my college students.
-Photo by High Time Photography at
Region 3 Championships October 2026
ADULT AMATEURS
AMANDA CASTELLONE
Region 3 – Charleston, SC – First Level AA Ch and FS AA
US DRESSAGE FINALS • 2026