Editor’s Note: Michele Trush tells us the story of her daughter, Mackenzie, who was born with a rare type of dwarfism. Despite her stature, her daughter doesn’t let any challenges stand in her way from riding and showing horses. Here is Mackenzie’s story through her mother’s own words:
Mackenzie Trush is a 16-year-old sophomore at Delsea Regional High School, located in a small town in southern New Jersey. She was born with a rare type of dwarfism called Spondylo-Epi-Meta-Physeal Dysplasia (SEMD). There are approximately 100 known cases of this particular type of dwarfism. She stands 36 inches tall, but don’t let her short stature fool you into thinking she’s much different from everyone else. She is one of the most determined, self-confident, strong-willed, sweet and kind people I know–even though I am her mother.
While some types of dwarfism are hereditary, Mackenzie’s type is not. It is caused by a random gene mutation. This type of dwarfism affects her bones, joints, and her vision.
Mackenzie developed her love of horses when she was five years-old. I purchased a yearling AQHA gelding for her, and Mackenzie was the very first person to sit on his back–the day before she went to DuPont Hospital for bilateral hip de-rotation surgery. When she was younger, she also endured cervical spine decompression and fusion just before her second birthday.
After spending several months in a full body cast and going through physical therapy to regain her strength, Mackenzie decided she wanted to ride horses on a regular basis. She started taking weekly lessons at a local equine therapy program, and although she enjoyed it, she wanted to do “more” than be led around at the walk. She wanted to ride independently, just like her mom and older sister. The search began for the perfect horse for Mackenzie. We needed to find something quiet, kind, level-headed, gentle, and comfortable for Mackenzie to ride. After searching for several months, we found the perfect mount for her.
“Mookie” came into Mackenzie’s life when an equestrian from Indiana heard we were looking for a special horse for Mackenzie. She felt this would be the perfect “forever home” for her long-time horse, Mookie, who was a 25-year-old Thoroughbred. He was a former race horse, jumper, dressage horse, as well as therapy horse. Upon his arrival to New Jersey, he helped give Mackenzie the independence she craved and taught her about herself, which greatly helped her self-confidence. Mackenzie loved Mookie and rode him every chance she got, up until he reached a ripe old age and crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Since then, Mackenzie has shown three wonderful horses very competitively and successfully against riders of all ages, abilities, and levels. She has such a strong love and compassion for horses, and we’ve never met a horse who doesn’t adore her. She can get her current horse, Tony, to perform better for her than he ever has for anyone else. They have a mutual bond that is beautiful to watch.
Mackenzie’s most memorable and rewarding horse show experiences were made with her 28 year-old AQHA mare, Miss GeGe Sonny. GeGe was given to Mackenzie by a family friend who wanted GeGe to spend the rest of her years being loved by a little girl. GeGe had a successful show career in her younger years, earning approximately 250 AQHA points in western pleasure, western riding, halter and horsemanship. Then, she became a broodmare and had seven foals before coming to live with Mackenzie. Mackenzie and GeGe showed on the AQHA circuit in New Jersey and Delaware. They started in the open walk/jog classes, where they were unanimous winners against large classes of highly competitive horses who show on a national level. Next, they started showing in Novice Youth Western Pleasure classes, but GeGe suffered an age-related ligament injury that permanently ended her riding career. She is now living out the rest of her years on lush green pastures.
Since GeGe’s retirement, Mackenzie began showing her older sister’s AQHA gelding, A Rare Hotrodder, who has earned over 100 all-around points. She shows him very successfully in showmanship as well as walk/jog classes at open and AQHA shows. She also has an older gelding named, JBT Spanish Rhythm, who adores Mackenzie.
Showing horses on the AQHA and open show circuits has helped Mackenzie gain some of the recognition she deserves. Instead of sitting on the sidelines watching her big sister have all the fun showing horses, these amazingly talented and good-minded horses have given her the chance to shine. She is a very determined, hard-working young horsewoman who competes with – and does well against – people with no disabilities at all. People seemed to have decided to come out of the woodwork when they saw her out there riding and showing instead of sitting on the bleachers all of those years. Showing horses has helped Mackenzie to feel like “somebody” and she surely deserves it.
