Congress Youth Trail Winners Are Elsie Naruszewicz, Deanna Green, and Sidney Dunham

By: Brittany Bevis

Three more Congress Champions were crowned during this morning’s Trail classes. First up, Elsie Naruszewicz rode Made Me Intangible to score a 228.5 and win Youth Trail 12-14. The Reserve Congress Champion was Ellexxah Maxwell with Zips Bossy Chip. Third place was Jordan Davis with Amblin Good N Easy. Fourth place was Jessica Mcallister with A Good Order. Fifth place was Marley Mainwaring with HT Tahnee Too.

In Youth Trail 15-18, Deanna Green and Blazinmytroublesaway repeated their earlier performance in Novice Youth Trail 14-18. This time, the team scored a 228.5 to be named the Congress Champions. The Reserve Congress Champion was Sharese Rivait with Show Your Invitation. Third place was Chelsea Gorius with Bens Chocolate Chip. Fourth place was Grace Brown with Invitation To Ride. Fifth place was Taylor Searles with Flashy Attraction.

Finally, in Youth Trail 11 and Under, Miss Sidney Dunham rode her horse, No Trouble Mac, to mark the highest score of the day, a 229, to win her first Congress Championship title. This is 12-year-old Sidney’s third trip to the Quarter Horse Congress and her first Congress Championship title.

Sidney and her 14-year-old gelding compete under the guidance her father/horse trainer, Mark Dunham. “My horse has many names, but Mac is number one,” she says.

Earlier at the show, Sidney and Mac placed fourth in 11 and Under Horsemanship and 10th in 11 and Under Showmanship. Of all the events she competes in, her favorite is Trail because it incorporates her favorite subject in school.

“I really like math, and it helps me in Trail because I have to know how to count, to know where my steps are going to be,” she says. “My favorite part of the pattern would have to be my walk-overs, because it took me forever to get them [in the practice pen,] and then I went in [the show pen] and I could get them!”

When Sidney learned she had the highest scoring Trail go out of all the Youth Trail classes this morning, she had an adorable and candid response. “I was really impressed with myself,” she says.

Now that Sidney’s Congress journey has come to a close, she will be headed back home this afternoon. Since Dad still has to stay at the horse show, we wondered what’s going to happen with all her new prizes… “My trophy is going to be coming with me!” she says.

If this newly crowned Congress Champion could give one piece of advice to younger competitors, she would say, “Just try, because you never know what could happen!”

The Reserve Champion in 11 and Under Trail was Paige Wellendorf with Good To Be Sudden. Third place was Isabella D’Onofrio with Just Good Enough. Fourth place was Lily Richardson with Chips Heart. Fifth place was Emily Mastroleo with Hot Rageous Rodder.