LOOKS BRIGHT: SCC sophomore rides high in her own saddle

Published 11:45 pm Friday, October 17, 2014

By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — She was only 2 years old when she first got on a horse, and although Shelby Reine may not completely remember the experience, it is one that has certainly shaped a lot of who she is today as a 15-year-old sophomore student athlete at St. Charles Catholic High School.

Reine is a member of SCC’s newly established Equestrian Team. She said before she entered her freshman year at SCC from St. Joan of Arc, she talked to the administration about the possibility of the school allowing her to use her equestrian career as an athletic endeavor at SCC.

“I worked out a plan with Dr. Courtney Millet to letter (in athletics) through equestrian,” Reine said, explaining she really wanted to letter in a sport in high school but didn’t want to take time away from her training as a rider.

She said the only school she knew of that had an equestrian program was one in Covington, so she was thrilled to be able to attend SCC and letter in the sport.

Millet, director of instruction and institutional advancement at SCC, said Reine maintains great grades, performs community service and holds many current national titles in the equestrian world.  

Reine said she first competed in a horse show when she was either 3 or 4 years old, adding she grew up around the sport and the animal.

“My grandpaw started us with horses,” Reine said of herself, her sister and cousins. “Most people think that it’s cool and different that I ride.”

Reine said she’s taken many falls off of her horse during training but has never thought about quitting her beloved sport.

She appreciates the support from her family and friends in her athletic endeavors.

“No matter what happens when you ride, keep going and do your best and you can still come out ahead,” Reine said her trainer, who lives in Texas, constantly reminds her.

Reine travels to Texas once a month and spends her whole summer there each year training, which has proven to pay off.

Earlier this month, she competed in the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show and was first out of 133 in the preliminaries. She also claimed a top 5 slot at the show.

Reine was also recently awarded as Co-Reserve Champion in Level 4, Co-Champion in Level 3 and Champion in Level 1 at the National Reining Breeders Classic Heritage Non-Pro Futurity in Texas, where she won nearly $5,000.

Reine said she got a new 3-year-old horse, named Keep Your Guns Loaded, in April and a win with him recently got her very excited about her future shows.

“It gave me a lot of confidence for December,” Reine said, referring to when she will celebrate her 16th birthday participating in the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City.

Reine said the show has always been a goal of hers, and she is excited to be participating in it this year.

Reine, the daughter of Mike and Alisha Reine of LaPlace, is a parishioner at St. Joan of Arc Church and a member of SCC’s Beta Club.