Favorite Quote: “You only live once!”
Fifteen-year-old Chandler Odom of Marbury, Alabama, was nominated by her trainer, Sarah Maxwell. Sarah says Chandler’s riding, leadership skills, and all around positive influence led her to write the nomination letter. “For a kid with a heart condition, Chandler has more heart than any other kid I know,” Sarah states.
According to Sarah, Chandler is the first at the barn on show days and the last to leave. Not only is she beyond helpful during show season, Sarah says Chandler’s depth of caring and mentorship towards her barn mates is invaluable. Beyond her barn and teammates,
Chandler has also made positive impressions on trainers and parents from other barns that we show with in the Alabama Hunter Jumpers Association!” Sarah explains. “She’s been asked to catch ride a particularly powerful jumper (whom she excels in the ring on), and she was specifically sought after to join a local IEA team.”
Chandler rides a four-year-old Thoroughbred named Lavender Haze, barn name, Athena, at Zale-Ada Equestrian. Her recent successes include 2023 Reserve Champion in the Low Hunter division and 4th place overall in the Modified Hunter division for the Alabama Hunter Jumpers Association season, as well as Reserve Champion in the .65 meter jumpers for the 2023 season. She is currently competing on a friend’s horse in the .75 meter jumpers with great success.
When asked what makes her want to ride, Chandler replied, “It is a very quiet sport for the most part. On days when I need quiet, riding gives me the peace I need, and being at the barn is my favorite place to be.”
Chandler considers being diagnosed with a treatable heart condition and still working hard to be a better rider, especially on days when she is really tired as her biggest challenge. She also said training a young horse to be a Hunter is no easy feat either. However, she considers successfully bringing along Athena in Hunters for her first year of showing her biggest accomplishment as well.
“You only live once!” is Chandler’s favorite quote. Her short-term goal is to become Champion for the 2024 season in the Hopeful Hunter division and .75 meter jumpers. Ten years from now she sees herself competing at Hunter/Jumper shows on a larger circuit and training horses- maybe even teaching lessons as well.
Age:
15
Discipline:
Hunter/ Jumper
Hometown:
Marbury, AL
Trainer:
Sarah Maxwell
School:
Alabama Connections Academy
