BHS junior crowned World Champ at prestigious draft horse event

(SHIPSHEWANA, Ind.) – A Batesville junior has been crowned a World Champion at the most prestigious draft horse event in North America.

17-year-old Ellie Westerfeld competed in the Six-Horse Hitch Class Series World Finals in Shipshewana, Indiana. 

She qualified for the Youth Cart Driver division after competing at several different shows including the Indiana and Ohio state fairs, county fairs and other exhibitions. 

Her division included competitors from across the Midwest and as far away as Colorado, New Hampshire and Canada. 

Ellie had a dominant performance and earned the Grand Champion award in the division. 

She said this achievement is a dream come true. 

“I’ve been showing since I was 7 and always said that my biggest goal was to win this event,” Ellie said. “This has been a childhood dream and I was grateful to just qualify for it, but to win, I am speechless about that.”

Westefeld says the World Champion title hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but it is certainly an honor. 

“It was very emotional. I play basketball and tennis but horses are my true passion. I grew up with them and it started with my grandparents, and just getting to do this means so much to me,” she said. 

Ellie plans to continue showing horses and is looking forward to competing in the Ladies Cart division in the future.