10/14/2019
IV Show Horses, Casi and Steve Ischay wish to congratulate Mariah Sherer on being crowned the 2019 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen! From the first day, seven + years ago, when I met Mariah I knew she was something special - a force to be reckoned with, and nothing would stand in the way of her dreams. She informed me that she enjoyed running barrels and wanted me to find her a horse to learn how to ride Hunter Under Saddle, wanted to win the Youth World in HUS, in fact. I looked at her and her Dad and said, "I'm sorry, but in order to do that well, you really need to choose one event." They looked at each other, then at me, and challenged my advice within ten minutes of meeting them. Admittedly, I scoffed and said, "Ok, I mean, we can try, but you'll have to be an extraordinary rider and very dedicated to be able to excel in two very different events." Little did I know, that the kid who walked into my barn is beyond dedicated and excels in literally everything she sets her mind to doing. Literally, blood, sweat and tears, and a few horses later, that young lady finished 6th in the Nation in Hunter Under Saddle and top ten in the World - in the face of major physical adversities for both horse and rider. We went on to challenge the World together several times, both Youth and NSBA and walked away a Congress Champion. Four years later, I watched as her dreams of being Congress Queen were dashed by a few tiny points as she just missed the crown. Everyone immediately pushed her to try again, and I quietly sat back, knowing she would, knowing the next time she would not leave the arena without a crown. I was hired as the photographer at a wedding this past Saturday, but at the last second, we tuned in online to see the crown placed appropriately on Mariah's head. I never doubted her, from the minute I found out she was running the first time, I warned the other girls via social media...there is nothing this girl can't accomplish when she sets her mind to it. CONGRATULATIONS, Mariah, you did it!
