2007 Congress News

A Dream Come True for Ellexxah Maxwell and The Cookie Baker

Although Ellexxah Maxwell has been showing since she was 18 months old, 2007 was her first time showing at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Not only did Ellexxah have fun showing at her first Congress, she will leave the show as a two-time Congress Champion.

Ellexxah began her winning streak with Novice Youth 13 and Under Showmanship. “She almost didn’t even show in the class,” said Becky Miller, Ellexxah’s grandmother. “She got out there and saw that all the other kids showing in the class were a lot bigger than her and she told her mom that she was going back to the barn.”

Luckily for Ellexxah, her mother – Melissa Maxwell of Mil-Max QuarterHorses – was able to convince her to at least give the class a shot.

It’s not surprising that Ellexxah would feel overwhelmed going into a Novice Youth 13 and Under class. The blonde bombshell celebrated her seventh birthday two weeks ago, and stands only 46 inches tall.

She packs a lot of power in her punch, however, and completed her pattern without flaw.

Next, Ellexxah tackled the Small Fry Horsemanship. This class was more comfortable for her, as she has been showing walk-trot at nearly every horse show for the past two years, but she wasn’t so sure about her mom. “I thought my mom was going to have a heart attack! I wasn’t really nervous, but she was,” Ellexxah said.

Ellexxah showed her nerves of steel as she piloted The Cookie Baker to another Congress Championship, this time in Small Fry Horsemanship. “Winning was like being somewhere else, like being in a dream.”

According to Ellexxah, “Baker” is her favorite horse to ride. “I used to show Chocolate Poker Chip, but now I show Baker and I like him a lot more. He’s a lot quieter,” she said.

Not only does Ellexxah show Baker, she also rides him every day. “I ride every day because that’s the only way you can get better.”

Although Ellexxah relies on talent and hard work to improve, she also hopes for a little luck. “My number was 9532 and every night I said a poem before I went to bed. 9532, I’m here to win the blue,” Ellexxah said.

Ellexxah thanked her dad and mom, Brent and Melissa Maxwell, her grandma Becky, her Mil-Max friends, and all the judges that have appreciated her hard work.

Article by Carly Williams, Photos courtesy Kirkbride Photography.