A Q&A with Kodie Young, a leading mid-south young rider
Kodie Young, a leading mid-south young rider
Kodie Young has been riding since he was six years old. He recently turned 19 on May 19th and typically rides six to seven days a week at Oak View stables in Olive Branch, Miss.
Kodie shows in the jumper ring with his Holsteiner mare, Odesza and takes care of his retired Oldenburg mare, Carmella.
Kodie rides under Rose Marie and Trey Lawson. In October of 2021 Kodie traveled to the Retired Race Horse Project ’ s Thoroughbred Makeover in Lexington, KY, and won top overall junior rider out of 300+ competitors and 2nd overall in the show jumping category.
Q&A
What is your first memory of a horse:
My first memory of a horse was watching Zenyatta run in the Breeders Cup to end up coming in second.
What is it about horses that makes you want to ride?
I have always been fascinated by their athletic abilities and potential and when you ride it gives you a feeling like no other.
What is your biggest accomplishment with your horse?
My biggest accomplishment was when I went to Kentucky for the Thoroughbred Makeover and ended up top overall junior rider out of over 300+ riders and horses and ended up 2nd overall out of 500+ riders in the category show jumping.
Tell us the biggest challenge you had with a horse?
My biggest challenge lately has been overthinking things, and not making a decision until it is too late on what I want the horse to do.
What is your short-term goal you have set for yourself?
To get through the next show I go to without any rails coming down.
How does your trainer help you reach your riding goals?
My trainers, Trey and Rose Marie Lawson and Billy Anderson (and former trainer Victoria Hickerson), have all provided me with the foundational elements of what riding is about.
Ten years from now you want to...
I want to be riding at the upper levels of show jumping and show hunters as a professional equestrian.
Favorite Quote: “ Never give up on something you can ’ t go a day without thinking about.” -Winston Churchill
What Trey Lawson, Kodie ’ s
trainer, has to say:
What makes your young rider stand out from others his/ her age?
Dedication!
How does the rider excel in the barn?
Kodie goes above and beyond. He is always willing to help others. He rides his own horses and usually another every day. If we are shorthanded, he cleans stalls, feeds horses, or cleans tack, whatever is needed.
Describe your rider ’ s focus while working with horses?
Every ride is devoted to being better than the last. Even the smallest step forward is rewarding.
Tell us how you approach challenges with your rider to help him/ her succeed and reach their full potential?
I remind Kodie that he can make it happen but it will take patience, practice and perseverance to succeed.
What are areas of focus you and your rider are working on in the next year?
Kodie has an opportunity to travel more and a job that he will be able to continue to show as an amateur for the summer into fall.
