Rachel Trebesh and No Doubt I Shine Win Congress 4 and 5-Year-Old Non Pro Trail Stakes

By: Brittany Bevis

Although the Congress may have started out a bit rocky for Rachel Trebesh and her new horse, No Doubt I Shine, they pulled it out in the end to win their first Congress Championship title during their first year showing as an amateur.

“The last two classes haven’t gone too well,” Rachel admits. “We’ve been working for this at home and here, and he’s had a busy schedule at the show. This was awesome!”

“My side pass was something we don’t practice a lot, so I thought it started off a little sticky in my pattern. Once I got going, it was smooth. I also knew I needed to focus on my spots. I knew I needed to stay really slow to get my four and five strides, and he stayed with me. I think he really plussed his first lope overs. He has a lot of expression, and that helps him with the scores, I think.”

Rachel and her stunning, bay roan, five-year-old gelding “Mako” have been a team for a year and a half. Mako is by No Doubt I’m Lazy and out of a Coosa Lad mare. “The owner of No Doubt I’m Lazy, Frank, is a great supporter of everything we do with this horse. I wish he was here!”

Luckily, Rachel did have another supporter at the show, her fiance/trainer, Shawn Hays. “He’s helped me a lot with this new horse. I had a very old and seasoned horse before, and this is the first time I’ve had a young one, so it’s been excited.” However, it can be challenging having your horse trainer also be your significant other. “It’s hard! If it says anything, I get passed off quite a bit!

Because Rachel was showing in a Harris saddle today, not only did she win the $3,544.68 purse, she also won a Harris bonus check. This is her first time showing in a stakes class, so Rachel was surprised and excited to receive, not one but, two big checks.

Coming up next, Rachel and Mako will compete at the AQHA World Show in Horsemanship, Trail, and Halter, while Mako will be shown by Shawn in Junior Western Pleasure.

The Reserve Champion was Angela Wade with A Soxy Dream. Third was Rickie Bryner with Lets Ride. Fourth was Bridgett Downs with The Ziggle Zone. Fifth was Megan Hawkins with Armani Assets.