Diné ropers remain in contention at INFR
Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Team ropers Trey Begay (right) and Cody Lansing earned the rodeo’s high call back at the 2022 Indian National Finals Rodeo. The pair have posted three runs in 17.19 seconds heading into tonight’s final performance.
LAS VEGAS, Nev.
A pair of youngsters are angling for a top finish at this year’s Indian National Finals Rodeo.
Among a field of veterans, Trey Begay and Cody Lansing are looking to walk away with the world title in the team roping competition.
The duo heads the field with a 17.19 aggregate after three rounds.
“We just came out here to rope,” Begay said. “We’ve been doing this all year, so this is kind of like practice for us.”
“We’re not focused on the average or the rounds,” Lansing added. “We just want to catch all four rounds.”
This is the second INFR qualification for the two promising prospects, and if things go their way in tonight’s final performance, they could potentially be the two youngest world champions.
They have a slight lead over team roping brothers Westley, and Hank Benally, as the latter pair have turned in an 18.03 aggregate.
“I’m sure it’s gonna be tough, but like I said, we’re just gonna knock down four (steers),” Lansing said.
Begay said they’ve been drawing even steers, and their consistency has been paying off.
“Our starts have been just right,” he said. “We’re just trying to get out and rope them.”
Veteran steer wrestler Brandon Bates is looking to stay consistent as he is gunning for his second INFR world title. His last title came 15 years ago when he was crowned the champion in 2007.
Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Steer wrestler Brandon Bates heads the field with a 15.31 aggregate after three rounds at the 2022 Indian National Finals Rodeo. Bates is seeking his second INFR world title.
“It’s been a long time,” Bates said of his last title.
The Winslow cowboy posted a third-place run of 4.55 seconds in the third round on Friday night to stay in contention.
“I drew a good steer, and I did my ABCs on him,” he said. “I made sure I got out and get him caught. I did the best I could on him.”
With that run, he leads the pack with a 15.31 aggregate, with Bridger Amiotte (15.37) and Jim Stevens (16.32) giving chase.
“I’m taking it one steer at a time,” he said. “I got one more to go, and we’ll go from there.”
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow