NFR average win long time coming for Derrick Begay

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Dec 16, 2023 | News |

LAS VEGAS, Nev.

It’s been a long time coming for Derrick Begay.

The 10-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier won his first-ever average title inside the famed Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Diné cowboy won the aggregate title with his best friend, Colter Todd, in the team roping competition as the pair secured the title with a 4.4 run in the 10th round on Saturday night.

The duo was the only team to rope all 10 draws during the PRCA’s final rodeo event of the year. They finished with a 69.0 aggregate, which paid them a whopping $78,747 in the aggregate race.

“This is the 10th time I made the National Finals Rodeo, and I’ve never been close to winning the average (title),” Begay said. “So, getting the average buckle is something that I’ve always wanted. It’s the next best thing to a gold buckle.”

Begay acknowledged that he’s still coming to terms with winning the average race as he moved up to No. 4 in the world with a year-end total of $269,125, with $131,009 coming at the NFR.

“It’s still kicking in,” Begay said. “It’s been a long week. This is what every cowboy wants to do: to come here and do good, and luckily enough, we got by this week by catching 10 steers.

“I’m glad that I got to do it with my best friend,” he added.

Like his partner, this was Todd’s first average title win at the NFR after three previous tries.

“This is pretty special,” Todd said. “The trouble with this rodeo is the rounds pay so much, so you want to start out by winning rounds and placing good and then just see how it starts to shake out.

“It’s crazy that we were the only ones to catch 10 because there’s so many guys that can (rope),” he added. “I never thought that we would be the only team to do that. I was just glad to not mess up too bad this week.”

With his NFR winnings of $131,009, Todd finished third in the world with $284,292.