In the saddle since before she could walk, Nydia went on to represent Scotland in Tetrathlon. Riding her beloved chestnut mare Indi, Nydia has been awarded a string of rosettes, including the British Unaffiliated Dressage Champion at prelim level in 2013.
In 2018 - just months after having her second daughter - Nydia & Indi qualified for the Badminton Horse Trials.
Name: Nydia Chandler
Job title: The Eventing Mum
Location: Scottish Borders
Background: Married to farmer Adrian, mum to Rosie & Flossie, former tetrathlete for Scotland and dedicated horse lover
Hobbies: Dedicated horsey mum - usually found in the yard, baby Flossie strapped to her back, in jodhpurs and a bobble hat.
Nydia’s much-loved granny farmed in Shropshire and would look after ponies for a local private school in the holidays. Immediately drawn to them from a young age, this afforded a young Nydia the opportunity to spend as much as time as could looking after horses.
Starting proper lessons and the age of six at Appin Equestrian Centre and riding whenever possible, Nydia’s mother bought her first horse at 11 years old. Nydia’s abilities went from strength to strength, competing in the Tetrathlon event (a multi-discipline event comprising of riding, running, swimming, and shooting), representing Scotland for six years.
After studying International Equine Agriculture Business at Cirencester, Nydia worked with Vicky Russell in her racing and Event yard, before heading to America to work on hunting yard.
Nydia then moved to Somerset where she met her now husband Adrian. She was missing horses so decided to buy Indi, a 5-year old Cleveland Bay x Irish Draft bred by her uncle in Shropshire. Nydia describes her as ‘the fluffiest, stuffiest pony you’ve ever seen’. Ever the equestrian, Nydia couldn’t resist saddling up and taking her for a ride.
Nydia took the pony into an open field for the first time, where she behaved ‘perfectly’. Sensing an immediate connection, Nydia immediately purchased the pony from her uncle – she swears with the intention of getting her trained up and sold on.
The rest is history – just one year later, Nydia & Indi claimed their first sash as Unaffiliated British Dressage Champions at Prelim Level and won their first BE event, and have since earned a string of awards together. Indi having seen Nydia through the birth of her two children, the bond between them is immediately apparent.
In late 2017, just months after the birth of her second daughter and following a dramatic turn in the dressage arena, Nydia & Indi qualified for the 2018 Badminton Mitsubishi Motors Cup.