The Beginning To An End

There was no mistaking Adell Evans’ ear to ear smile. It was the smile of a champion. During this year’s National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals, she was honored with the 2023 Senior Girls Little Britches Rookie of the Year– an award given to those with the highest points during their first year competing in NLBRA. 

Evans is the first in her family to rodeo, leading her to the association where "Where legends begin." Their finals is the largest youth rodeo under one roof and is the oldest ongoing youth rodeo association. Members who compete in NLBRA are ages five to 18. The finals took place in Guthrie, Oklahoma at the Lazy E Arena from July 2nd to the 8th.

“This is the first title I've ever been in the running for in my entire rodeo career,” Evans said in an interview for Resistol. “I've done four different rodeo organizations, including Little Britches and this is the only one that I've ever made any headway in.” Evans is originally from Parker, Colorado. 

Her favorite part during finals wasn’t just her new title, but being able to celebrate the horse that got her there. 

“This is my last rodeo on my mare before I retire her. All four of my runs were clean. They were perfect, just the way that I wanted them, so that made it really, really special for me.” Her mare’s name is “Chivato’s Girl,” whom Evans calls Chiva for short. 

She plans to attend Northeastern Junior College in the fall where she plans to continue rodeoing. The 2023 finals will forever hold a place in her heart as a threshold to a new beginning, and a "thank you" to her journey there.

As a Little Britches Rookie of the Year, she will be honored again at the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year luncheon during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. 

The other rockstars include Neligh Robinson, who won the Little Wrangler Rookie of the Year. The Little Wrangler division includes members between five to eight years old. Cadie Agner took home the Junior Girls Rookie of the Year title, which includes ages nine to 13.