Cody Jesus Invitational set for Saturday, Inaugural event to draw the top 35 bull riders

WINDOW ROCK
Cody Jesus has had some big moments competing at the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena.

The Sawmill, Ariz., bull rider has had multiple 90-plus rides inside the arena. Just recently, he earned an 89.5-point score during the PRCA Fourth of July Celebration.

“There is no better place to ride other than here,” Jesus said two weeks ago before a packed house at the Window Rock arena. “We got it turned around, and we gave them something to watch.”

On Saturday night, he’s going to be hosting the Cody Jesus Invitational Bull Riding and he’s going to sit this one out.

“It’s gonna be tough because I know I’m gonna see 35 really good bulls that I really want to get on,” Jesus said. “I would rather be competing with these guys and sling it out to the bitter end, but I’m gonna enjoy it.”

Gates will open at 4 p.m. with free admission albeit there is a $20 parking fee.

“Come on out,” Jesus said. “It’s something you don’t want to miss.”

The one-day event will feature three riding events: junior bulls, mini bulls and open bulls.

Jesus said he’s always wanted to host a bull riding jackpot, but he’s never had the time with his busy schedule. An opportunity, however, presented itself when he was sidelined earlier this year to mend a nagging injury with his riding hand.

“I got injured and I wasn’t going to any PBRs, so I planned this out with my girlfriend and her mom,” Jesus said. “We started making plans five months ago and it happened really quick.

“I wanted to have jackpot bull riding for my birthday,” he added. “I want to watch some bull rides and we were like, why don’t we bring in the best bull riders out.”

Initially, the plan was to host the event from his house, but as the event got closer they decided to move it to Window Rock.

“It just kept getting bigger and bigger,” he said.

Jesus said he’s going to invite 35 bull riders to compete in his inaugural event that is sponsored by several corporate events including the Texas Rattlers, Jesus’ home-based team.

“I’m trying to pick the best 35 bull riders I can find, that are available,” Jesus said. “I know most of the PBR bull riders are traveling to other PBR events, but I got the Texas Rattlers coming in.

“What more could you want? There’s 10 of the best bull riders right there,” he added.

Jesus said he’s looking to add 10 of the Navajo Nation’s best bull riders, which includes JaCauy Hale, Robbie Taylor, and Wade Tuni.

“I want the riders that are riding the hottest right now because I’m bringing the best bulls in,” he said. ‘The best bulls are fixing to be coming in and show out.”

The stock contractors for this year’s event include M Rafter E Bucking Bulls of Beaver, Okla., and Chad Drury, of

Erick, Okla.

“We got some of the Navajo Nation’s top bulls coming in,” Jesus said.

Jesus said he’s hoping to draw a big crowd, similar to the flock that attended the PRCA rodeo on July 4.

“It would be nice to get a big crowd to where the electricity stays electric the whole time,” he said. “I’m bringing in 35 bull riders, and I expect all 35 to stay on.”

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