NRHA Adequan® NAAC Rookie and Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Champions Crowned
The Adequan® Arena at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City has been bustling with activity all week as riders from across North America compete in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. It was a full day of classes in the Adequan® Arena, with the remainder of the Rookie classes wrapping up Sunday afternoon. Making the classes even more exciting was that the Top 10, plus ties, in both NAAC Rookie Levels 1 (Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year) and 2 earned a spot in the Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdown or Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Showdown, set for Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Jim Norick Coliseum.
Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year & Adequan® NAAC Rookie Level 2 Champions – Rayne Anderson & Pale Face Gunslinger
After watching a friend claim the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year title, Rayne Anderson made it her top goal to do the same.
This year, she finally did it. After holding the lead with an impressive score of 218.5 for both days of the competition, she was crowned the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year as well as the Adequan® NAAC Rookie Level 2 Champion at the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.
“As soon as we finished that first spin, I knew it was going to be a good run,” Anderson said. “I was going to be very happy with him no matter what we scored.”
Anderson rode Pale Face Gunslinger, a homegrown 9-year-old gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Lost In Tinseltown, bred and owned by her grandfather, Tim Anderson.
Prior to being piloted by Anderson, who prefers to affectionately call him Simba, Pale Face Gunslinger was ridden by NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal to several finalist placings during the NRHA Futurity and the National Reining Breeders Classic.
About the gelding, Anderson said, “Simba has such a kind soul; he’s my best friend. I’m so grateful to have him for his older years and to have the opportunity to ride him.”
Simba has impressive lifetime earnings of more than $141,000, and his Rookie wins will add another $1,432 to that number. For Anderson, it’s a great start to what will be a surely impressive career.
Claiming this title qualifies Anderson to compete in the Bob’s Custom Saddle Rookie 2 Showdown and the Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdown.
“I’ve only shown in the Jim Norrick once before, so I’m excited that the showdowns will give me an opportunity to get back out there through the ‘Gateway of Champions’ again,” said Anderson.
Read more:
NRHA News – National Reining Horse Association
