Sam Bird has been the Team Roping Heading Champion at the Indian National Finals
Rodeo three times; 1976, 1988 and 2001. He has also won the Montana ProRodeo
Team Roping Champion seven times and the Northern Rodeo Association Team
Roping Championship twice. With all of Sam’s accomplishments, one can see why he
has acquired the nickname “The Champ.”
Rodeo is truly a family tradition for Sam, and he prides himself on that fact. He won
the 2001 Team Roping title with his nephew, Dustin Bird, also from Cut Bank. Bird
has six brothers and three sisters, with five that have been, or still are, involved with
rodeo. His wife, Terry, was also a tough competitor in the barrel-racing event.
Sam and Terry have two daughters that are following in mom and dad’s footsteps.
Brittany and Sammy Jo are both barrel racers and breakaway ropers. As a matter of
fact, in 2008, the sisters won both ladies events included in the INFR tour rodeo
association. Sammy Jo won the ladies barrel racing by 23 points and Brittany won
the ladies breakaway by 27 points. Sam and Terry instill their competitiveness into
both their daughters.
He gives a lot of credit to his brothers, Beaver, Dick, and Ron Bird. They started him
in the sport of rodeo and not only taught him how to rope and rope consistent but
also how to be competitive.
In 2008, Sam had both daughters and several nieces and nephews competing at the
INFR. He is very proud that he is still competing against them and not sitting in the
bleachers cheering them on. Sam should take a lot of credit for his family being
competitors at the INFR. He has always helped his family or anyone in general, in
anyway that he can. He is always willing to give advice, a helping hand, and a
practice pen with steers to name just a few.
Bird would like to thank his family and friends for the continued support he receives.
He would especially like to thank his mom and dad, Whizzie and Sam Bird Jr., who
have passed on now, but were always there for him in anyway he needed.
He would also like to give Bud Connelly a special thank you. Sam’s dad bought his
first roping saddle for Sam from Mr. Bud Connelly. Sam also won his first roping with
Bud at 12 years of age.
Sam has been a commissioner of the Indian National Finals Rodeo for eight years
and also qualified for the INFR 32 times. His goal since the beginning has been to
make Indian Rodeo bigger, better and more profitable for Indian Cowboys and
Cowgirls. He is also hoping to bring it to a higher level in which Indian Rodeo is just
as respected as any other rodeo organization.
Many people, in and out of the rodeo arena, have a certain respect for Sam Bird,
and for good reason. He is a genuine cowboy and a true champion.
Rodeo three times; 1976, 1988 and 2001. He has also won the Montana ProRodeo
Team Roping Champion seven times and the Northern Rodeo Association Team
Roping Championship twice. With all of Sam’s accomplishments, one can see why he
has acquired the nickname “The Champ.”
Rodeo is truly a family tradition for Sam, and he prides himself on that fact. He won
the 2001 Team Roping title with his nephew, Dustin Bird, also from Cut Bank. Bird
has six brothers and three sisters, with five that have been, or still are, involved with
rodeo. His wife, Terry, was also a tough competitor in the barrel-racing event.
Sam and Terry have two daughters that are following in mom and dad’s footsteps.
Brittany and Sammy Jo are both barrel racers and breakaway ropers. As a matter of
fact, in 2008, the sisters won both ladies events included in the INFR tour rodeo
association. Sammy Jo won the ladies barrel racing by 23 points and Brittany won
the ladies breakaway by 27 points. Sam and Terry instill their competitiveness into
both their daughters.
He gives a lot of credit to his brothers, Beaver, Dick, and Ron Bird. They started him
in the sport of rodeo and not only taught him how to rope and rope consistent but
also how to be competitive.
In 2008, Sam had both daughters and several nieces and nephews competing at the
INFR. He is very proud that he is still competing against them and not sitting in the
bleachers cheering them on. Sam should take a lot of credit for his family being
competitors at the INFR. He has always helped his family or anyone in general, in
anyway that he can. He is always willing to give advice, a helping hand, and a
practice pen with steers to name just a few.
Bird would like to thank his family and friends for the continued support he receives.
He would especially like to thank his mom and dad, Whizzie and Sam Bird Jr., who
have passed on now, but were always there for him in anyway he needed.
He would also like to give Bud Connelly a special thank you. Sam’s dad bought his
first roping saddle for Sam from Mr. Bud Connelly. Sam also won his first roping with
Bud at 12 years of age.
Sam has been a commissioner of the Indian National Finals Rodeo for eight years
and also qualified for the INFR 32 times. His goal since the beginning has been to
make Indian Rodeo bigger, better and more profitable for Indian Cowboys and
Cowgirls. He is also hoping to bring it to a higher level in which Indian Rodeo is just
as respected as any other rodeo organization.
Many people, in and out of the rodeo arena, have a certain respect for Sam Bird,
and for good reason. He is a genuine cowboy and a true champion.
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| INDIAN NATIONAL FINALS RODEO "Riding With Tradition" |
Bird Inducted into Montana Indian Athlete
Hall of Fame by Kari Zubach
INFR Commissioner Sam Bird was inducted
into the Montana Indian Athlete Hall of Fame,
Dec. 12, 2008.
The Montana Indian Athlete Hall of fame was
formed to ensure that Indian athletes receive
recognition for their lifetime achievements. The
Blackfeet Nation was well represented as Bud
Connelly, Samson Bird, Sam Bird III, Billie
Brown, Jess LaBuff and Leonard Guardipee
were inducted at this year's event.
Hall of Fame by Kari Zubach
INFR Commissioner Sam Bird was inducted
into the Montana Indian Athlete Hall of Fame,
Dec. 12, 2008.
The Montana Indian Athlete Hall of fame was
formed to ensure that Indian athletes receive
recognition for their lifetime achievements. The
Blackfeet Nation was well represented as Bud
Connelly, Samson Bird, Sam Bird III, Billie
Brown, Jess LaBuff and Leonard Guardipee
were inducted at this year's event.
The INFR website is currently looking for articles on INFR contestants, rodeos or other things
related to Indian Rodeo. Please email your articles to Kari Zubach kzubach@hotmail.com.
related to Indian Rodeo. Please email your articles to Kari Zubach kzubach@hotmail.com.
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| 2010 INFR SPONSORS |
| INFR Headquarters: 406-338-7684 |
NELSON TSOSIE 1986-2010
To the Family of Nelson Tsosie,
On behalf of the Indian National Finals Rodeo
Commission, Staff and Members, I wish to convey
our deepest sympathy to you the on the loss of a
wonderful cowboy and friend.
During Nelson’s past years of being a member of
the Indian National Finals Rodeo he accomplished
many goals with his dedication to being an INFR
World Champion Cowboy.
In 2005, at only 19 years old, he won his 1st World
Champion Bareback Title. Nelson proved himself
to be a true competitor and a high quality champion
cowboy when he returned to the INFR winning the
World Champion Bareback Title back to back in
2007 and 2008.
To the Family of Nelson Tsosie,
On behalf of the Indian National Finals Rodeo
Commission, Staff and Members, I wish to convey
our deepest sympathy to you the on the loss of a
wonderful cowboy and friend.
During Nelson’s past years of being a member of
the Indian National Finals Rodeo he accomplished
many goals with his dedication to being an INFR
World Champion Cowboy.
In 2005, at only 19 years old, he won his 1st World
Champion Bareback Title. Nelson proved himself
to be a true competitor and a high quality champion
cowboy when he returned to the INFR winning the
World Champion Bareback Title back to back in
2007 and 2008.
Nelson was a valued member of the INFR team and his positive attitude, enthusiasm, and
smile will always be remembered by his friends in the rodeo arena. The family can be justly
proud of his contributions to the Indian Professional Rodeo. He will be remembered with
respect and admiration and he will be missed by all.
I extend my condolences to the Tsosie family. I hope that time and memories will help
lessen the burden of your sorrow, and that you may draw some measure of comfort knowing
that others care and share in your loss.
We will be remembering Nelson during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 INFR.
Sincerely,
Donna Hoyt, General Manager
Indian National Finals Rodeo
smile will always be remembered by his friends in the rodeo arena. The family can be justly
proud of his contributions to the Indian Professional Rodeo. He will be remembered with
respect and admiration and he will be missed by all.
I extend my condolences to the Tsosie family. I hope that time and memories will help
lessen the burden of your sorrow, and that you may draw some measure of comfort knowing
that others care and share in your loss.
We will be remembering Nelson during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 INFR.
Sincerely,
Donna Hoyt, General Manager
Indian National Finals Rodeo
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