Dressage rider Amanda Rae Ward, Portsmouth, N.H., died July 12 after a car accident. She was 31.

Ms. Ward fell in love with the sport of dressage at age 11, quickly giving up ballet training at the Boston (Mass.) Ballet School.

Under the tutelage of Melinda Johnson and then eventually Mary Howard, Ms. Ward blossomed into a graceful and talented rider.

At 16, she first contested the North American Young Riders Championships as a member of the winning Region 8 team. She returned to the NAYRC in 1994 and 1995 aboard Dr. Michael and Kathleen Herne’s Anime, coming within fractions of a medal her last year, placing fourth.

She later worked as an assistant trainer to Howard, continuing to ride and show successfully throughout the East Coast.

But Ms. Ward’s talents extended beyond the dressage arena.

Her stunning beauty and natural grace caught the attention of professional modeling scouts, and soon she was traveling the world as a runway and fashion model, working in New York, Paris, Milan, London, Sydney, Cairo, Bangkok and Bogotá.

But her true love was for dressage, and after she earned enough money to purchase a new horse she returned to the ring.

Last year she struck out on her own, establishing a training business in Kensing-ton, N.H., with a barn full of horses in training.

At her last show at the Mystic Valley Hunt Club (Conn.), June 15-17, Ms. Ward won all of her classes on the show’s first day aboard Wings and Uniko.

“Even at 11 years old Amanda had that determination to succeed that’s so rare,” remembered Johnson. “Her tremendous natural talent allowed her to develop a special rapport with absolutely any horse. She was a very special woman who touched many, many people throughout her life.”

Ms. Ward is survived by her parents Peter and Jayne Ward, her sister Melissa Ward and her fiancé, Derek Sarno.

An annual award in Ms. Ward’s memory will be presented at the New England Dressage Association Fall Com-petition. Memorial donations may be sent to: The Amanda Ward Legacy Scholarship Fund, The Dressage Foundation Center, Suite 732, 1248 O St., Lincoln, NE 68508.