Get to know Amy...
Meet Amy Brown representing the South Carolina Quarter Horse Association. Learn more about Amy and how she grew up in a world of a different kind of "horse power!"
1.) Name and Association Representing:
Amy Brown, South Carolina Quarter Horse Association
2.) Where are you from? Tell us a little about your hometown.
Even though I was born in California, Concord, North Carolina has always been where I call home. When I was five years old my family moved here with new job opportunities so Concord has been all I have known. Concord is a section of suburbs outside of Charlotte NC and is the “NASCAR capitol of the world”- which is why we moved here. Racing is a huge part of my family so it only made sense for us to be here. I have grown up with everything close by, I played in the street with my neighbors, and we could walk to a nearby gas station for an ice cream if we wanted. Even when I went off to college I only moved a short 30 minute drive down the road.
3.) Why did you choose to compete for the title of 2015 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen?
Sometimes, things come your way even though you aren’t looking for them. The first spark to inspire me to run for congress queen was one of my friends I showed with who is a bit younger than me. She was at the congress on a youth judging team and she had met one of the Congress Queens’ sometime during her trip. She called me and told me I would be perfect as a queen. I was curious and did a lot of research about all the queens and the contest. Watching the girls and hearing all the stories of the kids they speak to, I loved the positive impact the queens can make on young people all over the country. I was touched that someone would think that I would be good at lifting people to be their best. At that moment I knew I had to compete to be the Congress Queen one day. So, with the support of my friends and family here I am three years later hoping to bring the Congress Queen title to South Carolina for the first time! I’m living my dreams and loving every moment of it!
4.) Are you currently in school? Employed?
I currently attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). I am a senior, but I still have another year due to changing my major last year from Business Management to Communications with a concentration track of Public Relations. As a 49er equestrian, I am currently the captain of the UNCC Western Team and the Vice-President of the UNCC Equestrian team. In addition to riding at UNCC, I am a member of the National Society of Honors and leaders, with a GPA of 3.2. When I am not riding or at school I do work part-time as a sales assistant in my families company in Concord, NC.
5.) Favorite Horse Memory or Accomplishment?
My favorite horse memory is actually a bit embarrassing- mostly because of my reaction! I was attending my second or third AQHA show and I was riding the horse I showed as a youth through 4H named Zip. He was 20 years-old and I am certain he was at least double the age of all the other horses in the class. It was the first show I attended alone and I went into a Level 1- Hunter Under Saddle class. There was about 15 horses in the class and I was positive we hadn’t placed- BUT we were called out as placing 7th on both judges’ cards and I was so happy I cried my eyes out and called my parents! It was pretty emotional!
6.) Interesting Fact about yourself?
Unlike many young riders, my parents don’t have an equine background. I grew up in a world of a different kind of horse power! An interesting fact about me is my motorsports background. I know racing and drivers from NASCAR, to dirt sprint cars in the World Of Outlaws, to professional NHRA drag racers. When I was a kid, my whole family would go to all the local race tracks together. All my Friday and Saturday nights are filled with smells of racing fuel and burning rubber all over the east coast. Since my family has been working in the motorsports industry for 16 years now we have many close personal friends in many different racing industries. Even though working in motorsports is my job, in my spare time, I run our small personal race team’s PR and social media pages as something extra for our team.
