| INDIAN NATIONAL FINALS RODEO "Riding With Tradition" |
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| Copyright (c) 2007-2008 Indian National Finals Rodeo |
| The 2008 INFR official photographer is Intertribal Photography. Check out their work at www.intertribal-photogra phy.com and order pictures from the 2008 finals. |
The INFR a success for our Indian Cowboys and Cowgirls throughout
Indian Rodeo Country.
By: Kari Zubach, Sharon Small, and Jimi Champ
The 2008 Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) was a year of several firsts. The
INFR was held October 2-5th at the extravagant South Point Hotel & Casino in Las
Vegas, Nevada. The World Champions received top of the line sting ray trophy
saddles and gorgeous Montana Silversmith buckles. Contestants didn’t have to be
the world champ to get a buckle however, each go-round winner also was awarded
a Montana Silversmith buckle. After an exciting week of rodeo, 6 championships
went home with a well deserving contestant who had never won that coveted Indian
World title. The other five went home with champions from years past.
Jess Colliflower, the 2008 Men’s All-Around Champion qualified in the steer
wrestling and saddle bronc riding. A feat very similar to that of his father, John who
won the All Around title in 1989. Placing second in the saddle bronc riding and
second in the steer wrestling along with the All-Around title made the 2008 INFR
very profitable for this cowboy from Rocky Boy, Montana.
Kassidy Dennison won the 2008 Ladies All-Around Title. Kassidy kept it in the
family after her Aunt Carol Jackson-Holyon won the prestigious award in 2007.
This is the second All-Around title for Kassidy whom also won the saddle in 2005.
Kassidy competed in the ladies barrel racing and breakaway events. Although she
had a little tough luck on Saturday night in the barrel racing when her horse fell
leaving her with a sprained ankle, she cowgirled up and roped and barrel raced in
Sunday’s performance.
Nelson Tsosie and Rollie Wilson once again walked away with back to back
championships in the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding respectively. Rollie
was also this year’s runner up in the Men’s All-Around race, making money in both
the bareback and saddle bronc riding events.
Greg Louis had a great rodeo season in 2008. Greg won a PT Cruiser this
summer after winning the most money won in the rough stock events at Crow
Native Days, Rocky Boy and Crow Fair. Greg won the INFR bull riding title in 2005
and once again was crowned the champ in 2008. He was the only cowboy going
into the forth round that had covered three bulls while winning the first round with
an 82 point ride.
Raynell Holgate a freshman in college stayed calm and collected while cleaning
house in the ladies barrel racing. This young lady walked away with 3 of the 4 go-
round buckles as well as the World Championship awards. When she was asked
how she stayed so calm she replied, “I just stayed focused on my homework and
took every run as a separate run”. We wish the best of luck to Raynell in and out
of the arena.
The 2008 Ladies Breakaway roping title was won by Ms. Katelin Loring. Not only
did Katelin earn honors in the breakaway roping this year she also graduated with
honors from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in business
administration. She is now attending a masters program at the University of
Montana. This talented young cowgirl roped very smart and consistent with an
aggregate time of 13.8 on four runs. Katelin proved that hard work and
determination pay off in the arena as well as out.
Ty St. Goddard and Terry Doka also roped consistent on four head of steers at
“the big show” as Ty calls it. Ty not only qualified to the “Big Show” for the second
time, but was crowned the 2008 team roping champion. Terry Doka started the
week off right, winning the first round in the team roping while his daughter Justine
won the first round in the breakaway (both on last year’s heel horse of the year
Slash). Winning this year’s World Championship was a great victory for this
talented team.
Another horse of the year carried his cowboy to his first World Championship.
Mark Cuny of Billings, Mt won the Tie Down Roping on his horse Dice. This was a
very bitter sweet victory for Mark and Dice; this year will be the last year for the
duo as Mark retired Dice at the end of the fourth round. Dice won’t be completely
retired however Mark’s girls will still be riding him in the event he loves the best,
breakaway roping.
This year’s Steer Wrestling World Championship returns to Alberta, Canada. The
sting ray seat saddle will join another in the trophy room in Wright’s Bruised Head’s
home. Wright was very consistent with an aggregate time of 22.0 on four steers.
The INFR would like to thank as well as welcome our biggest sponsors, ROPER
APPAREAL & FOOTWEAR and THE SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA for making
the INFR a great success.
Indian Rodeo Country.
By: Kari Zubach, Sharon Small, and Jimi Champ
The 2008 Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) was a year of several firsts. The
INFR was held October 2-5th at the extravagant South Point Hotel & Casino in Las
Vegas, Nevada. The World Champions received top of the line sting ray trophy
saddles and gorgeous Montana Silversmith buckles. Contestants didn’t have to be
the world champ to get a buckle however, each go-round winner also was awarded
a Montana Silversmith buckle. After an exciting week of rodeo, 6 championships
went home with a well deserving contestant who had never won that coveted Indian
World title. The other five went home with champions from years past.
Jess Colliflower, the 2008 Men’s All-Around Champion qualified in the steer
wrestling and saddle bronc riding. A feat very similar to that of his father, John who
won the All Around title in 1989. Placing second in the saddle bronc riding and
second in the steer wrestling along with the All-Around title made the 2008 INFR
very profitable for this cowboy from Rocky Boy, Montana.
Kassidy Dennison won the 2008 Ladies All-Around Title. Kassidy kept it in the
family after her Aunt Carol Jackson-Holyon won the prestigious award in 2007.
This is the second All-Around title for Kassidy whom also won the saddle in 2005.
Kassidy competed in the ladies barrel racing and breakaway events. Although she
had a little tough luck on Saturday night in the barrel racing when her horse fell
leaving her with a sprained ankle, she cowgirled up and roped and barrel raced in
Sunday’s performance.
Nelson Tsosie and Rollie Wilson once again walked away with back to back
championships in the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding respectively. Rollie
was also this year’s runner up in the Men’s All-Around race, making money in both
the bareback and saddle bronc riding events.
Greg Louis had a great rodeo season in 2008. Greg won a PT Cruiser this
summer after winning the most money won in the rough stock events at Crow
Native Days, Rocky Boy and Crow Fair. Greg won the INFR bull riding title in 2005
and once again was crowned the champ in 2008. He was the only cowboy going
into the forth round that had covered three bulls while winning the first round with
an 82 point ride.
Raynell Holgate a freshman in college stayed calm and collected while cleaning
house in the ladies barrel racing. This young lady walked away with 3 of the 4 go-
round buckles as well as the World Championship awards. When she was asked
how she stayed so calm she replied, “I just stayed focused on my homework and
took every run as a separate run”. We wish the best of luck to Raynell in and out
of the arena.
The 2008 Ladies Breakaway roping title was won by Ms. Katelin Loring. Not only
did Katelin earn honors in the breakaway roping this year she also graduated with
honors from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in business
administration. She is now attending a masters program at the University of
Montana. This talented young cowgirl roped very smart and consistent with an
aggregate time of 13.8 on four runs. Katelin proved that hard work and
determination pay off in the arena as well as out.
Ty St. Goddard and Terry Doka also roped consistent on four head of steers at
“the big show” as Ty calls it. Ty not only qualified to the “Big Show” for the second
time, but was crowned the 2008 team roping champion. Terry Doka started the
week off right, winning the first round in the team roping while his daughter Justine
won the first round in the breakaway (both on last year’s heel horse of the year
Slash). Winning this year’s World Championship was a great victory for this
talented team.
Another horse of the year carried his cowboy to his first World Championship.
Mark Cuny of Billings, Mt won the Tie Down Roping on his horse Dice. This was a
very bitter sweet victory for Mark and Dice; this year will be the last year for the
duo as Mark retired Dice at the end of the fourth round. Dice won’t be completely
retired however Mark’s girls will still be riding him in the event he loves the best,
breakaway roping.
This year’s Steer Wrestling World Championship returns to Alberta, Canada. The
sting ray seat saddle will join another in the trophy room in Wright’s Bruised Head’s
home. Wright was very consistent with an aggregate time of 22.0 on four steers.
The INFR would like to thank as well as welcome our biggest sponsors, ROPER
APPAREAL & FOOTWEAR and THE SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA for making
the INFR a great success.
| 2008 INFR DVDS $25 per Performance Contact: Craig Caples Caples Productions 3325 W. Wigwam Las Vegas, Nv 89139 Office (702) 547-1010 FAX (702) 547-1001 |
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| INFR SPONSORS |
| Seminole Tribe of Florida King Mountain Tobacco Rusty & Mary Garrett Ranch Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation Pueblo Of Laguna Alliance Crow Tribe Merill Lynch Miccosukee Indian Gaming Moapa Band Red Cloud Food Service Apsaalooke’ Meth Project Apache Gold Casino San Carlos Apache Tribe Navajo Nation Parks & Rec |
