Indian National Finals Rodeo INFR

2009 World Champions Crowned in Las Vegas in conclusion of the 34th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo

The 2009 Indian National Finals Rodeo was a great success. In front of thousands of fans, and a nearly sell-out crowd at the South Point Equestrian
Center twelve of our Native American cowboys and cowgirls were crowned with championship world titles.

Rollie Wilson of Buffalo, South Dakota took home the men’s all-around championship title. Wilson competed in three events, bareback, saddle bronc
and steer wrestling.

Kassidy Dennison of Tohatchi, New Mexico captured the Women’s All-Around title. Dennison competed in both the ladies breakaway and ladies barrel
racing events.

Tiffany Sinclair of Browning, Montana was crowned the new 2009 Miss Indian Rodeo. Tiffany won the horsemanship competition, the essay contest
and the best scrapbook competition.

Having a fantastic weekend, the younger brother of Rollie Wilson, Joe Wilson of Kyle, South Dakota captured the Bareback riding title. However, Joe
had to battle to the complete end for the title. Austin Janis, another South Dakota native gave Joe Wilson a run for the money. Both Janis and Wilson
were tied after riding four head of bareback horses. They completed a ride-off for the world title, it was Joe Wilson who came out on top and received
the world champion victory lap.

Browning, Montana and the United Indian Rodeo Association were well represented and another world champion gold buckle was brought back to the
Blackfeet Reservation attached to the belt of Dan Connelly. Connelly was awarded the Steer Wrestling World Champion Title after four fantastic
performances. In four runs, Connelly turned in a spectacular average time of 28.8 seconds on four head of steers.

Lizzy Dixey of Ft.Hall, Idaho and the Shoshone- Bannock reservation brought home the Ladies Breakaway world champion title. The breakaway was a
close race at this years INFR, but as Lizzy stayed consistent in being fast and on top of her “A” game, she roped all four of her calves in 11.5 seconds to
capture the world title.

Jeremey Meeks of Bell Fouche, South Dakota had a phenomenal weekend and was the only cowboy in the saddle bronc riding event to cover all four
horses to earn himself a gold buckle and world championship saddle. Jeremy had a total of 289 high points to win the average at the 34th annual
Indian National Finals Rodeo.

South Dakota was on fire and well representing the 605 area code, Dallas Louden of Martin roped his way to the top in the calf roping event. Louden
roped all four of his calves in 40.8 seconds above the 2007 Horse of the year “Dice” owned by Mark Cuny and respectively earned himself the world
champion victory lap.

In the team roping event, two southern cowboys, both representing the state of Arizona took home the world champion trophies. Brooks Dahozy on the
heading side and Preston Williams on the heeling side was the only team all weekend who roped their steers using only two loops. The team roped all
four head in an average time of 37.3 seconds.

Shelly Vocu of Ashland, Montana and a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe had an untouchable weekend and was a definite clean sweep in the
Ladies Barrel Racing event. Vocu was the only lady to complete the clover-leaf pattern in 14 seconds in every go-round above “Sandy” a mare owned by
DeeAnn St. Andrew. Vocu finished the weekend with an overall 59.34 second average and earned herself her very first World Champion victory lap.

A young sensation of the White River Apache Tribe dominated in the Bull Riding event. 17 year old Laren Daley of WhiteRiver, Arizona was the only
cowboy to cover all four bulls. Daley had a total of 324 smoking points and earned himself his very first World Champion honors.

The INFR is very excited about next year, the 35th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo will be held back in Las Vegas at the South Point Equestrian
Center November 10-13, 2010. There will also be a pow-wow and various exciting activities during the 35th annual Indian National Finals Rodeo.