Four local high school cowboys qualify for nationals

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Jun 22, 2017 | Rodeo |

PAYSON, Ariz.

With a state title out of the picture, Evan Betony did the next best thing.

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Bareback rider Evan Betony grimaces as his horse flies through the air June 9 at the Arizona High School Rodeo Finals in Payson, Arizona. Betony placed first in every round and won the average race, finishing the state as a reserve champion.

The Tuba City bareback rider entered the state finals of the Arizona High School Rodeo Association in Payson, Arizona, June 8-10, trailing event leader JC Mortensen by 43 points. But at the conclusion of the three-day event, the recent Tuba City High graduate chipped away at the lead and finished the finals by winning the average race in dominant fashion.

Betony placed first in every go round and collected 45 points, the maximum points allowed at the state finals.

“Winning the average was pretty cool,” said Betony, who added that he made some adjustments to his riggin’, which proved to make a difference.

“I was having some trouble with my equipment so my season was off and on,” he said. “But I got it fixed. I’m starting to have a better handle in my riggin’.”

With his second place finish, Betony earned his third qualification for next month’s National High School Finals Rodeo, which is scheduled for July 16-22 at the Camp-Plex Arena in Gillette, Wyoming.

He will join Many Farms cowboys Andric Johnson and Ryan Bitsui as they finished third and fourth in the year-end standings in the bareback event.

In addition to those cowboys, the area also will have Brent Becenti represent Team Arizona as the Rock Point cowboy qualified in the saddle-bronc event with a fourth place finish.

Betony, who finished the season with 162 points, said his rides at the state finals were pretty good.

“They were nice horses but I just need to work a little harder to get them finished,” he said. “If I do that I should do pretty good at nationals.”

With his two previous qualifications, Betony has his eye set on making the short round and, perhaps, bring the national title back home to Arizona.

“I want to win it this time,” he said. “I’m going to use my experience the last two years and fix my mistakes.”

He said it’s all about being mentally prepared and wanting it.

“I just want to keep the ball rolling,” he said.

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