Klay McDowall Wins CINCH Horsemanship Invitational
Arena photos courtesy of NSBA – photo credit: Cody Parmenter Photography.
Klay McDowall of Franktown, Colorado, showed Only Martinis For Me to win the 2025 CINCH Horsemanship Invitational. The two bested 14 other riders in the finals of the class to earn the first-place prize of $3,000. Clay’s father, Kelly, earned a $1,000 bonus as his trainer.
Exhibitors qualified to be an exhibitor in the CINCH Horsemanship Invitational by placing in the top ten at the world show of an NSBA alliance association in 2024, or at last year’s NSBA World Championship Show. The event saw 63 exhibitors invited to compete in the preliminary round to reach the top 15 finalists for the finals, where exhibitors compete for a total purse of $15,500.
“I had never been able to compete in the CINCH Horsemanship Invitational before,” Klay said of the class. “It was definitely fun with the music and the crowd. I was nervous about my horse being able to handle the crowd because it was a different atmosphere that our normal Horsemanship classes. I’m proud of him for keeping it together.” Klay was also the only male exhibitor in the finals.
Exhibitors were provided with four potential patterns for the finals, but they did not learn which pattern they would perform until right before the class, and they had ten minutes to warm up in the arena. “I felt the pattern we showed was the easiest one to be able to find your spots in,” Klay explained. “It’s very different with the stage in the middle of the Ford Arena. Last night we went through each of the patterns twice and tried to find easily identifiable markers.”
Klay had stepped away from the show pen to attend college. “I didn’t get to show for about three years because I went to college and attended law school,” he said. “I am now a commercial real estate lawyer for a law firm in Denver specializing in leasing and purchase and sale agreements. I’m excited to get to come back and show. I’ve been together with this horse for about three years now.”
When asked about his show partner, Klay explained: “He is a Western Pleasure horse baby. We bought him from Cody Parrish and taught him all the classes. He’s turned into a great reliable horse. He’s six or seven now. We show in Trail, Western Riding and Horsemanship.”
It is fitting that Horsemanship is Klay’s favorite class. “I particularly like the Horsemanship because in my mind it is the class that allows you to be the most connected with your horse,” he said. “It’s all about your ability to work together with your horse to get the job done. Plus you get to do different things, change gears, change leads and do some spins.”
Klay is also a proud supporter of the class sponsor, CINCH Jeans. “I have 18 of this particular style of CINCH jeans. They’re very durable and flexible and I ride in them all the time.”
Youngest Invited
Vivienne King was the only 13 & Under Youth exhibitor in the class and was a finalist in the class. She competed with her horse, Mouse Trapped.
“I did it last year with my other horse,” she said. “It was so fun last year, and I’m really grateful that I got to make it back this year. It is a little nerve wracking with the crowd and the music. The hardest part is trying to find your spots for the maneuvers. I’ve only had this horse since April and we’ve been trying to pull it all together. My trainers have been awesome about it. He was really good considering he can be a little sensitive. I’m really proud of him.”
Representing In Color
Izzy Hostetler was the only APHA representative in the finals with her horse, Platinum Cowgirl. She qualified for the CINCH Horsemanship Invitational by winning the APHA world championship in Youth 14-18 Horsemanship. She earned a $100 bonus for being the highest scoring Color exhibitor.
“I had never done the class before so I didn’t know what to expect,” Izzy said. “It was pretty loud and chaotic, and since I have a mare, I wasn’t sure how she would do but she was great. I had a lot of fun. I had pressure on myself but I just decided that I had made the finals and we were going to do our best. I had leased her for a year and have owned her for two years now. Her name is Taya, and she has been a really good girl.”
Awards and Bonus Payouts
Estelle Atkinson and her horse, Waitin On A Ride, earned the highest placing Novice exhibitor award of $1,000 and Robin Frid won a $500 bonus as her trainer.
Danielle Watson, who showed Shes Zippen N Style, earned $1,000 for being the highest scoring Amateur Select exhibitor, which was earned during the preliminary go.
The top ten placings in the class included:
Champion: Only Martinis For Me, Klay McDowall, $3,000/Kelly McDowall Trainer Bonus $1,000
Reserve Champion: Gimme Ur Best Stuff, Jana Simons, $2,000/Sara Simons Trainer Bonus $750
Third: Miss Dark Sparkle, Liv Winter, $1,500
Fourth: Shes Rockin My Dreams, Isabella Buckley, $1,250
Fifth: UF My Legs R Leathal, Karly Humbert, $1,000
Sixth: Whata Moonlite Ride, Isabella D’Onofrio, $350
Seventh: Almost Invited, Sydney Swallom, $350
Eighth: Firstoneinlastoneout, Patricia Bogosh, $350
Ninth: Gettin Hot, Ella Petak, $350
Tenth: Itzonly Make Believe, Alexandra Rippeon, $300
Our thanks to corporate sponsor CINCH Jeans for making the CINCH Horsemanship Invitational possible.
