Being a horsewoman and a news anchor/journalist may seem worlds apart, but not for Amber Schinkel of Global News Calgary. “I feel that being around horses and other animals through much of my life has made me a better listener. You gain so much from simply watching body cues from your horse, whether it’s the flick of an ear or the resting of a hoof, and I feel that translates into listening and talking to people every day in my profession. Sometimes the questions I ask aren’t based so much on what people are saying, but their body language toward a particular subject.”
Growing up in rural Calgary, Amber got an early start in the equestrian life. “My dad has always had horses. I started riding originally by doubling with my dad on his horse. When I was four and a half or five, I got a horse of my own and joined Pony Club, which is located just down the road from my parents’ farm,” she explained.
Through Pony Club, and then 4-H, Amber was able to broaden her experience into English and western riding. “I actually started riding English initially. I did some dressage and stadium as well as cross-country – I really enjoyed that. By the time I was 10, a lot of my friends were in 4-H, so I switched over and started riding western. I continued to ride English at shows on the side as well, just not as often. On the horse I have now, I have never ridden him English, but it’s something I’d kind of like to get back into.”