The Loss of a Fellow Competitor and Friend, In Memory of Kiley Marschand
EC Blog by: Ellexxah Maxwell
Everyone in the horse world knows that, in this industry, we’re all family. Whether it’s across the state or across the country, we stand with each other. Over the weekend, we had our strength tested, to see if we would band together during a rough time, and again we did.
Heaven gained a new angel, one that is sure to make the sun shine brighter tomorrow. On June 4th, 2016, the world lost Kiley Marschand, a 15-year-old girl who fought against all odds all for the love of showing horses. When Kiley was diagnosed with leukemia, we were saddened, but we fully expected that the girl with the bubbly personality and constant smile would pull through.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared us for this loss. Kiley was the kind of person who could make you smile and laugh even on your darkest day. She looked upon life as if every bad situation always had a happy ending.
Personally knowing Kiley was an honor, and I will be forever grateful to call her my friend. She would put on a smile when she was having a bad day, just to make others happy. She put the needs of others before her own and would help anyone in need.
She was an inspiration to anyone who believes the odds are stacked against them, or that they can’t do something. Kiley believed that during every second of her life, and I hope she knows how many lives she’s touched.
She was a true horse lover and spent every second she could with her two horses. Kiley has taught us to never lose sight of what you love because of a small bump in the road. I know I’m not the only one to have shed tears or have a broken heart over the loss of not only a great horsewomen and horse lover, but a friend who had become like family.
Today, the horse world will link arms and bow our heads to a fallen sister, friend, and fellow horse lover. Tomorrow, however, we will raise our heads and continue our lives. The ache in my chest will still be there, but Kiley would want us to move on. For those of you showing or heading to a show, dedicate every ride you have to Kiley, to what she loved, and to the life she lived.
#RideForKiley
A visitation and funeral for Kiley will take place Tuesday, June 7th. The visitation is 11:30 am-1:30 pm and the funeral is at 2:00 pm at the Arcadia Christian Church, 26901 State Road 19, Arcadia, IN 46031.
During the Indy Circuit that’s currently underway in New Castle, a show that Kiley and her sister Emily often frequented, there was a moment of silence and a special song was played on June 4th, when we learned of Kiley’s passing.
https://www.facebook.com/100009712631610/videos/vb.100009712631610/286734601660292/?type=2&theater
