Elsie Arbarson
Elsie Arbarson was born on October 3, 1892 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her mother was a weaver and her father was a fisherman. They had little money and lived in a shack. As a young girl, Arbarson loved horses. She owned one that she got for free when the owner passed away. Its name was Hope. She was able to work to gain the money for the food and supplies. When Elsie was only 13, her mother passed away, and her and her father moved to Texas where there was more open land for Elsie to ride horses. The Arbarson family bought a ranch and Elsie had 5 acres to ride Hope. On a trail one day, Elsie met Rick Benford. They became best friends and went riding every day. Soon after Elsie and her father moved to Texas, her father passed away from an unknown illness. Elsie, now 16 was left on her own, but the Benford family agreed to take her in. The Benford's sold their house and moved in with Elsie, even though she was able to take care of herself. Elsie and Rick went on to raising the ranch and riding the horses that they both loved. When Elsie was 21, she married Rick and bought a larger ranch. Hope died a few months later along with Comet, Rick's horse. Elsie became the best-known horse rider in the history of Texas and made a difference in the sport of horseriding for women. Elsie Arbarson died at age 90 in 1983 on January 6.
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