The Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, held during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, culminated Saturday afternoon. The Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie 2 and Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdowns in the Coliseum, and the NAAC Youth 14-18 competition being held in the Adequan® Arena.
Rita Clausen Wins NRHA Bob’s Custom Saddles & Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdowns
The final day of the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships kicked off with intense competition in the Jim Norick Coliseum.
The inaugural Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown and Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Show were run concurrently, and after the last horse had cleared the pen, only one entry remained at the top of both divisions – Rita Clausen.
The 15-year-old competitor was teamed up with veteran reiner Smart Tinseltown, and the duo marked a 214, winning the $5,000 bonus for both divisions. “This was so much fun, I just had so much fun with it,” Clausen said. “We turned ok, and had a turn penalty the second way, but he circled really good and easy. Then he stopped good, and he was really honest,” she said.
With a $10,000 purse up for grabs in both the Toyon Ranch and Bob’s Custom Saddles Showdowns, Clausen had to battle a bit of nervousness. “I was a little nervous, and was even feeling kind of sick this morning,” Clausen admitted. “I decided I just needed to deal with it, get on, and go show.”
She added, “Thank you so much to both of the sponsors. This was such a fun class and opportunity, and I really enjoyed it.”
Smart Tinseltown is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of Tinseltown Lil Step. The 11-year-old gelding has won more than $124,000 in his career, including big wins with both of Rita’s sisters, Anna and Shelby. “He has been in our family forever. Both of my sisters have shown him and done well on him, and now it’s my turn,” Rita said. “Next year I get to show him in the Non Pro classes.”
Clausen thanked her parents, Marie Kleiner, and the whole Schmersal barn.
Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown Winners
- Rita Clausen & Smart Tinseltown – $5,000
- Logan Flaherty & Cashing Black Chex – $2,500
- Rita Clausen & Whiz Eli Code – $1,500
- Wayne Mizelle & Whizkey At Dawn – $1,000
Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie 2 Showdown Winners
- Rita Clausen & Smart Tinseltown – $5,000
- Logan Flaherty & Cashing Black Chex – $2,500
- Caleb Sturgeon & Whizkeys Shining Gun – $1,500
- Rita Clausen & Whiz Eli Code – $1,000
Mazie Petelski Wins NAAC Youth 14 – 18 Championship on Chexalicious
With a score of 214, Mazie Petelski won the Adequan® NAAC Youth 14-18 Championship. Her partner for the event was Chexalicious, by Busy Winin Chex out of Gunnaliciuos. The duo won a saddle from Continental Saddlery, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, product from Dr. Joe Carter, Platinum Performance and Classic Equine, and a gift certificate for Bluebonnet Feed.
“I’ve had him about seven months now, and have been to about six shows,” Petelski said. “Today he was super honest in the show pen. We just walked in, he put his game face on, and we went for it. He was there for me the whole time and never had any bobbles. Everything I asked him to do, he did, and he just felt really nice and honest.”
Next up for the pair? “This coming year will be his last derby year. We will probably just go to the derbies until he’s not eligible anymore,” Petelski said of the 6-year-old gelding. “To win this means so much, and that all of the hard work I have put in these past few months has finally paid off. Hopefully, we can just continue to grow from here.”
Petelski thanked her trainer, Logan Brumfield, and her parents.