LYPA Rider of the Week: Sherra Mershon
Lakota welcomed it’s 300th LYPA member this week! Sherra Mershon is a hunter/jumper rider who loves her OTTB Kodak Moment or “Koda.” We caught up with her to learn more about their journey together, and what makes owning a rescue horse so fun!
5 Quick Questions:
Q: How did you get into riding?
I got into riding at the age of 8 years old and have been hooked ever since. My best friend in elementary school was part of a 4-H horses organization and we got to trailer out every week to the longhorn polo club arena and practice every discipline in the book.
Q:Do you have a good luck charm?
My good luck charm is a horse shoe necklace that never leaves my neck! It was given to me by someone very near and dear to my heart and it reminds me everyday how lucky and blessed I am. When I get nervous before going into the show ring I always catch myself holding and fidgeting with the charm on the necklace.
Q:What makes your horse so special?
My horse is the horse of a life time and he LOVES his job. He is a 9 year old thoroughbred gelding that I rescued from a non profit organization and he raced before he made it to them. He is a monster standing and 16.2h with a husky build. Every time I take him out to shows I have people ask me if he’s a warm blood and I love to respond with “No, he’s off the track!” I am one proud horse mom. He is so special to me because we rescued each other. He came into my life when I needed him very much so. He was a work in progress and would always give me 110% and I knew early on in his training that we were going somewhere together.
Q:How do you calm those pesky show nerves?
To calm my show nerves I put headphones in while I tack up to try to pump myself up while also using music as a mental distraction. While I am waiting to go into the ring and my nerves are at their worst I practice deep breathing, in through the nose and out through the mouth!
Q: What’s the best piece of horse advice you’ve been given?
The best piece of horse advice I’ve ever received was just to have fun… My show nerves were so bad at first and now I cant wait to get in the ring. The warm-up ring is a scary place and the show ring is HUGE and open and just somewhere where nothing else matters. It really is just having fun. Especially when we win!
Follow Sherra and Koda to see what they’re up too!
Instagram: @ottb.equestrian. or @sherra_beara
Check out the Lakota blog next Tuesday for the next LYPA Rider of the Week…it could be you!
