There are special connections and bonds that are often created with horses and riders that cannot be matched. Some lucky riders find their once-in-a-lifetime horses as youth exhibitors, but unfortunately, have to part ways when they head off to college or move on with their adult lives.
That’s exactly what happened to Mackenzie (Max) Clason and her horse, The Big Adventure (Gus). This Congress and Reserve World Champion team were the 2007 Reserve AQHYA World Champions in Youth Working Hunter, Reserve Congress Champions in Youth 14-18 Hunter Hack. In 2009, they were Congress Champions in Youth 14-18 Equitation Over Fences. Clason is the daughter of Ohio trainer and OQHA President, Hank Clason and former NSBA President and AQHA judge, Dawn Clason.
“Thanks to Steve Meadows and Cecilia Hylton, Gus and I became show partners after the 2006 Congress where he won the Hunter Classic. Gus was my dream horse. He had so much talent and natural ability; I was beyond excited to get to show him,” Max recalls. “Professionals had only ridden him when I started showing him, so David Warner and I had to put in a lot of long hours to make him one of the best equitation horses I’ve ever seen or had the chance to ride.”
The 24 year-old, who now lives in Indiana, recalls that Gus was one-of-a-kind. “He has always had the spunk and energy of a two year old. One thing about him that always stood out, not only to me, but to anyone who has ever judged or saw me show him was that he whinnied every time he stepped in the show pen. It was kind of like he was excited to be there and wanted to make sure everyone was watching him.”
Clason reflects, “I think what made our relationship so special to me was everything he taught me. While he did take me to some of my biggest accomplishments as a rider, he taught me about hard work. For us to be successful, I had to put in the hours and Gus always gave me his all. He was my dream horse and our time competing together were some of the best memories I’ll ever have.”
After this team’s success, Max headed off to college in 2010 at Oklahoma State University to ride for the NCEA equestrian team.
“Gus went back to Cecilia Hylton’s, where Steve Meadows daughter, Noel started to show him. While having to part ways with Gus was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, I couldn’t have thought of a better person to pick up the reins,” Max states. “Noel is a horse trainer’s kid and I knew she had what it took to take care of Gus. It was a lot of fun to watch them compete together.”
Over the next six years, Max kept up with Gus and his accomplishments with other riders. In 2015 at the AQHYA Youth World, Max’s father, Hank Clason, and trainer, Carrie Grose, who had Gus in her barn, talked about where he should go for his retirement. “Now, if it had been any other horse my dad would have paid no mind. However, Gus was part of our family and he knew I loved Gus more than anything,” Max says. “So, at the 2015 Congress, Gus went home with my dad to live out a well-deserved retirement.”
Clason said that Gus gets turned out every day; eats all the hay he wants; and rolls around in all the dirt he can find.
Due to life changes and recently getting engaged, Max has been busy, but this past weekend, she was finally reunited with her old friend. Now 16 years old, Gus seems to be enjoying his retirement.
“Seeing Gus was like coming home. He came up to me instantly, and, of course, covered me with white hair. He’s still the same spunky horse I showed six years ago. I even pulled him out and rode him around. Having him back in Medina at my dad’s was like a dream. I never thought that I would ride him again, let alone him be mine. We both are a little out of riding shape, but it was awesome to be back riding him. He is fat, happy, and still getting all the treats he wants. I also get weekly selfies of my little brother, Reece, with him.”
Clason adds, “I can’t thank my dad enough and everyone else who made it possible for Gus to come back home. He will be well taken care of for the rest of his life.”
