BURBANK — No one expected Kelli Norwood NOT to win the 2013 Jack and Linda Baker Classic Reining more than, well, Kelli Norwood.

“I worked really hard for this event, but I still can’t believe I won,” said Kelli, who topped the large, competitive amateur field under the lights Los Angeles Equestrian Center Equidome Aug. 17 on One Flashy Rooster for the title. “I had never won a buckle in my life, so my goal was to qualify for the event and hopefully win a buckle. I still cannot believe it.”

Her first buckle is now displayed on a prominent wall in the barn of her trainer husband, Bill Norwood of Temecula, and the trophy saddle rests nearby, too. The win climaxed a quick, three-month campaign for Kelli starting in May when she began riding One Flashy Rooster (Gallo Del Cielo x Flashy Jackie Jac) after a year of no riding at all. The full-time physical education teacher at Great Oak High School in Temecula is the mother of three, including Austin, 7, Ella, 4, and Grace, who was born Jan. 7.

After not riding since April 2012, Kelli returned to the saddle on “Tom” and then showed the gelding in the NRHA Derby in late June, making the Level 1 Finals.

“When I got back from the Derby, it was a big learning experience,” said Kelli, who finished 20th in Oklahoma City. “I’m an ex-barrel racer, so I tend to be real quick with my hands and fast with everything. Bill really worked with me between the Derby and the Jack and Linda Baker. He said, ‘Kelly, ride him with emotion — he’s a horse. Feel him. Don’t just yell at him. Give him a chance to respond by just kind of whispering to him lightly, and then move on.’

“After that, I started feeling him with emotion and giving him a chance to be good instead of expecting the worst,” she added. “I just started to trust him. I think that’s the biggest thing. Then we clicked.”

She qualified for the Jack and Linda Baker Classic by winning a pair of classes at a summer reining held at nearby Galway Downs — granting her first entry into an event that she had admired for years from the sidelines.

“I’ve watched the Jack and Linda Baker forever, and I’ve always thoguht it would be so much fun if I could ever do it,” she said. “It is the neatest show, and there is so much camaraderie. Everybody is so excited and just happy to be there. If you make it, if you qualify, it’s just fantastic.”

Her husband and coach is at the top of the list of folks she credits for her success.

“I would not be able to do this without him,” she said. “He’s amazing. He doesn’t make a horse do anything — he wants a horse to find that spot and WANT to do it. He showed Tom in an Open class for three years, and when you watched the horse, you never saw him pin his ears. Bill trains them all to their personality. He teaches his non pros and me to be the same — let them find that place and reward them.”

“He also watches the kids when I ride,” added Kelli, who appreciates the practical support, too. She credits her parents, the farrier and the vet for their roles in her big win.

“You cannot do it without all these people,” she said. “It’s amazing what it takes behind the scenes.”

Kelli and One Flashy Rooster scored a 288.5 for the win, a single point ahead of reserve champion Carrie Clark riding Santa Anna Whiz. Clark received the title in the 49-under Division. The Prime Time Champion was Lynn Klein riding Hearts Cruiser, scoring a 279 that was ninth overall.

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2013 PCHA JACK & LINDA BAKER REINING CLASSIC FINALS
Aug. 17, 2013 * L.A. Equestrian Center, Burbank, Calif.
1st One Flashy Rooster / Kelli Norwood 288½
2nd Santa Anna Whiz / Carrie Clark 287½
3rd Remenic N Poco / Bree Hokana 286
4th Brother White / Dana Avila 285½
5th Ruff Draft / Jane King 284½
6th Lil Ruff Hollywood / Kristin Booth 281
7th Roxys Custom Crome / Lindsay Handren 279
8th Hearts Cruiser / Lynn Klein 279
9th Zen Master / Adina Valenzuela 279
10th Twister Jac Whiz / Linda Dalton 278

Prime Time Champion
Hearts Cruiser / Lynn Klein

49 & Under Champion
Santa Anna Whiz / Carrie Clark

Bud Dillon Perpetual Memorial Trophy
High Point Gelding
One Flashy Rooster

Kemars Bar Chex Trophy
High Point Mare
Tinseltown Girl

High Score Opposite
Alyssa Frias

The Rona Doc Perpetual Trophy For The Oldest Horse
Brother White

The Tricia Bisbee Perpetual Trophy For The Youngest Rider
Taylor Jensen

The Golden Years Perpetual Trophy For The Most Senior Rider
Lorraine Larramendy

John Varble Sportsmanship Trophy
Anouk Krueger

Emily Jungers Memorial Green Rider Trophy
Carrie Clark

Shiner’s Hickory Perpetual Trophy For the First Qualifier Every Year
Guinness Light / Kaitlyn Kerl

Helen Larramendy Memorial Perpetual Trophy
One Flashy Rooster / Kelli Norwood