Diné veterans capture INFR world title

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Oct 31, 2024 | Rodeo |

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Saturday’s short-round performance at the 48th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo served as redemption for Leonard Williams Sr.

Williams still felt the sting of last year’s shortcomings when he waived off his steer as the high call-back team with then-partner James Begay Jr., in the senior team roping.

“We had to be 15 (seconds) or under and I missed,” Williams said. “Oh man, I was so mad at myself.”

That uneventful mishap played in his mind on Saturday afternoon at the South Point Equestrian Center as he entered the roping box as the high call-back team with Victor Begay, James’ brother-in-law.

“I’m usually zoned in but I kind of put pressure on myself, thinking that I had be on the barrier,” Williams admitted. “I normally don’t think about those things when I rope, but it came up.”

Despite feeling a little edgy, Williams got a hold of his steer and let Victor Begay finish the job as the pair turned in an 8.01 run in the short round.

Combined with their two other runs, the duo was crowned world champions as they roped three draws in 26.99 seconds.

“I’ve never won the senior team roping until today,” Begay said. “It feels good to win a world title because of the steer we had a lot of try.

“That steer we had gave me a big hop, and I had to take my shot right there,” Begay added. “I was lucky enough to not lose the two feet, so this is pretty good.”

And while this was Begay’s first world title in the senior team roping, Williams collected his second one. In 2011, he won his first one while heeling for Jerome Alcott.

“I have two (world) titles on each end,” Williams said. “You know, last year I dropped the ball, and I didn’t want to do it again, so I’m glad that I got it done this time.”

Williams attributed his latest world title to Reno, the equine owned by Jacob Todechine.

“My horse did a good job all week,” the Leupp, Arizona, cowboy said. “He played a big role in what we did to win.”

The duo finished nearly three seconds ahead of the Diné team of Larry Willie and Howard Begay as they recorded three runs in 29.74 seconds. With a 30.05 aggregate, Leon Monroe and Shawn Shirley placed third overall.

In the senior breakaway roping, Crownpoint cowboy Sheridan Jodie lost the world title by 0.11 seconds to Montana cowboy Keith Tatsey.

Tatsey recorded a 2.86 run in the short round that earned him a three-head aggregate of 9.12 seconds. Jodie, meanwhile, posted a 3.38 run as he finished with a 9.23 aggregate.

Window Rock cowboy Colby Segay covered 2-of-3 draws and finished second in junior bull riding with 145 points.

South Dakota teenager Wynn Lawrence won the world title as he rode three bulls for 208 points.

Segay also had a top finish in the junior breakaway as he finished third overall. In the three-head average race, Segay roped two draws in 5.06 seconds while fourth-place finisher Daydynn Begay of Many Farms, Arizona, caught two in 5.59 seconds.

Oklahoma cowgirl Quinley Inman won the junior barrels with a 47.039 aggregate. Kayenta’s Faith Whitehorse finished seventh by completing three runs in 48.107 seconds.