The Quarter Horse Congress is a captivating event largely due to its tough competition and prestigious awards. For Rachel Munday, a 28-year-old first-time Congress exhibitor, she discovered it was a place where her passion and determination all paid off as she was the last one standing in the arena. When Rachel heard her name ring through the loud speaker, it filled her body with absolute gratitude and satisfaction as she was announced as the Congress Champion in the NRHA Green Reiner Level 2 out of 68 riders.
“It meant so much to me to see my years of dedication pay off,” Rachel said when she was asked about how it felt to be a Congress champion. “After being told that my dreams were too big, it felt good to accomplish my goals. I am also so thankful for everyone who has helped me through the years, I did not become the rider I am today all by myself.”
Rachel’s year has been filled with many first time experiences. She bought her horse, FS Einstein Dun It, just a few short months ago in May. This is her first reining horse, and she performed with him at her first AQHA and first NRHA show just this year. She also attended the Region 8 Championship show in her hometown of Amarillo, Texas where she won her reining class. Munday got hooked on reining after being a part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association with West 
Texas A&M University.
“I’ve always loved horses, so I begged my dad to get me one. When I was 12 years old, he got me a horse, but I did not even have a saddle to use. I spent the first six months riding bareback until my mom’s close friend, Valerie Edwards, helped me get the proper tack.”
At the Congress, Rachel also placed 13th in NRHA Novice Horse Level 1 with 103 horses in the class and was 14th in NRHA Rookie Reining out of 109 riders.
“I felt confident about my ride. I felt so connected and in sync with my horse, but waiting out the class was hard. I was fifteenth to go so waiting for the results made me nervous, and I tried to keep my mind off of the class by walking around the grounds a bit.”
Rachel’s hard work and years of riding definitely paid off in a well-deserved moment. “It is one of my proudest moments and a day I will cherish forever!” she said. “I did not cry, but I was emotional. I was just so excited. Don’t ever underestimate yourself and don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t or that it’s not achievable because anything is possible with determination!”
Very well said.
