January 4, 2016 – The Monroe Monitor by Chris Hendrickson.
Ever since Elsie Naruszewicz first climbed onto the back of a horse, she’s had a knack for riding. She tackled the world of competitive horse shows with passion, skill and perseverance, and has a string of championship wins to show for her efforts.
Whil
e all her wins are special to her, one of them shines just a little bit brighter than the rest. Last October, the 14-year-old Monroe resident achieved one of the equestrian world’s highest honors by earning the prestigious title of Congress Champion. The All American Quarter Horse Congress horse show, held every October in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest single-breed show in the world. Last year’s Congress featured competition in 25 different divisions, including Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Trail.
Elsie and her horse, Benny, took the championship in the Youth Trail division, a challenging competition in which horse and rider must be perfectly in synch as they navigate an intricate obstacle course. Benny, whose registered name is Made Me Intangible, is a 24-year-old bay gelding given to her by her trainer, Paige Stroud. Elsie has had to work hard to pay her own way, Stroud said.
And she has had to build her skills from the ground up.
“It’s kind of an expensive sport, so it’s pretty special because she’d done it on such a limited budget,” Stroud said. “She works really hard and helps out at the barn in trade for some expenses.”
And Elsie isn’t the only one who has worked hard for the chance to participate in horse shows; her mother, Lara, has supported her every step of the way.
Lara admitted she was nervous when Elsie first expressed an interest in horses. She’s a single parent, so the possibility that her daughter might fall in love with a notoriously expensive hobby scared her. But then, about seven years ago, they met Stroud at Cascade Meadows Equestrian Center, a boarding and training facility on Tualco Road.
Stroud helped them overcome financial obstacles by allowing Elsie to work at the barn to cover some of the expenses.
“We were so lucky to find Paige,” Lara said. “We wouldn’t be where we are without Paige. I really, truly believe that.”
Photo by Magic Look Photography