Member Highlights

One day, when she was 5 years old, Elle brought a flyer to her parents that was for a week of summer horse camp at Windy City Arabians.  You had to be 6 years old to attend.  She waited for that 6th birthday, went to that camp and little did she know that the Arabian horse community would become such a big part of her life, and help make her into the hard working young lady she is today.

She is 16 years old now and has spent her entire ten years with Thresa and the WCA team.  She has been a member of the NIAHAC club since her very first show.  The life lessons and work ethic that she has gained from riding are more valuable than words can say.  She began volunteering her spare time at the barn cleaning stalls, feeding, and doing barn chores.  She watched the older girls help with the youth just starting out, and when she was old enough, she stepped into their shoes, helping tack up lesson horses, and acting as a mentor to those youth riders.

Elle has been involved with the Arabian Community Tournament shows since she was old enough to show, and now assists Thresa with the ACT riders of today, introducing them to the wonderful world of riding and showing, and helping them grow.  She also volunteers to help with the outside youth activities that are hosted by the club.  Being a part of both of those things when she was young herself, inspired her to help be a leader for the youth coming up behind her.

The ups and downs of riding, showing, and working with horses have taught her what hard work and perseverance can do.  She now has her own horse Four White Shocs (Forrest) and working and learning together they have accomplished some great things.

The close friendships she has made through her WCA barn family, other NIAHAC youth riders, and Thresa will stay with her for life.  This is a shining example of how wonderful the youth program is and shows how it can continue to pass on these lessons to the next generation of riders to come!