REGION THREE EXPERIENCE

SHEER DETERMINATION

BY ANDREA CAUDILL

Ellie Schommer and Sweet Lil Asset

When 10-year-old Ellie Schommer of Isanti, Minnesota, broke her wrist a week ago in a riding accident, she didn't cry. In fact, she continued riding the rest of the day -- and it was another day and a half before mom Laurie realized what was wrong and took her to the hospital.

It wasn't until the X-rays came back and her doctor informed them of the break -- the one in her wrist, as well as the one she would probably have to take from riding for awhile -- that Ellie began to cry. It wasn't that her arm hurt, she explained, it was that she didn't want to miss the horse show.

After negotiating with the doctor, her mom started making phone calls. First she called the show's management and okayed it with them. Then she called a friend who could do alterations. They tore out the right sleeve of her show shirt and fixed it up to go over her cast, which goes from her hand all the way to her upper arm. They also borrowed a friend's English hunt coat that was large enough to fit over the top of it.

And so, only a few days later, Ellie was at the show with her mare Sweet Lil Asset, or "Lilly." The pair competed in halter and showmanship, and will do western and English classes as well. Ellie has been riding since she was 3 years old and trains with Lloyd Anderson. Lilly is a 6-year-old daughter of Optional Investment, and they purchased her in September 2006. The pair have points in halter, western pleasure and hunter under saddle.

"Her pain tolerance is amazing," Laurie said. "She didn't cry before -- she only cried when she thought she was going to miss the show."

But now that she's at the Region 3 Experience, Ellie was all smiles.