Father-son duo net Ceremonial team roping title after losing a family member
Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Kesley Phillips (right) swings his rope during the team roping competition on Sunday afternoon while his son Keacey (left) waits his turn during the 104th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Open Rodeo. The father-son duo won the team roping with a 12.84-second aggregate with Keacey also winning the all-around cowboy award.
CHURCH ROCK, N.M.
This was his mom’s favorite rodeo.
For Kesley Phillips, his team roping win with his son Keacey at the 104th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Open Rodeo on Sunday afternoon brought some raw emotions.
The father-son duo roped two draws in 12.84 seconds for the aggregate crown. They secured that title by turning in a first place run of 7.66 seconds during Sunday’s short round performance. That triumph was met with a somber tone as the Phillips family loss matriarch Lorraine Yazzie on Friday.
“This was a tough week for us,” Kesley said. “I lost my mom two days ago, so this win was special for me. But winning it with my son is a bonus, and I love it.”
The elder Phillips said his mom passed away due to an illness and he urged everyone to take care of their well-being.
To read the full article, please see the Aug. 13, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow