Hale, Dale lead heading into INFR championship round

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Oct 17, 2026 | Rodeo |

50th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo

LAS VEGAS, Nev.

Three down, one to go.

The 50th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo entered its final day Saturday, with several Diné contestants leading their events heading into the championship round at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas.

The championship round was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., with the top 10 contestants in each event competing for world titles.

Beshbetoh, Arizona, cowboy JaCauy Hale entered the final round seeking his second world crown. The 2023 INFR champion was the only bull rider to go a perfect 3-for-3 through Friday night’s third round.

“Coming into the INFR I was feeling confident in myself,” Hale said. “I went to a few rodeos before I came here, and I did really good. I just told myself nothing is going to change when I get here.

“I just have to ride everything underneath me,” he added.

Hale scored 81 points aboard “Going Rogue,” a Marki Rodeo bull during Friday night’s performance, giving him the lead in the aggregate race with 237 points.

“I looked him up and he’s (originally) from the Five Star Rodeo Company,” Hale said. “I saw a few videos, so I kind of knew him. I just came in with the same mindset, which is to get on another bull and just do my job.”

Kayenta cowboy Brad Moreno trailed Hale after covering two of three bulls, including Friday night’s winning ride of 84 points aboard Two Feathers of Howl Bucking Bulls. Moreno had 171 points in the aggregate after winning the second performance with an 87-point ride.

In barrel racing, Shiprock cowgirl Paige Dale led the event with an aggregate time of 46.812 seconds on a borrowed horse. Dale brought her own horse, Rex, to the finals, but it sustained an injury.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Shiprock cowgirl Paige Dale makes the final turn on Chanter during Friday’s performance at the 50th Annual INFR in Las Vegas, Nev. Dale leads the barrel racing pack with an aggregate of 46.812 seconds.

“I’m super sad because he gave it his all over the summer to get me qualified,” Dale said. “I was looking forward to competing on him. He’s a horse that I trained and seasoned this year.”

With Rex sidelined, Dale found a replacement through fellow Diné cowgirl Karsyn Yazzie, who lent her prized horse, Chanter, for the finals.

“Karsyn’s a good barrel racer and she was right behind me in the standings,” said Dale, who added that she developed a connection with Chanter right away.

Dale and Chanter won two rounds during the weeklong rodeo, giving them the lead heading into Saturday night’s championship round.

“We just got to be smooth, and be fast again,” Dale said of entering the finale. “I’m just giving it all to God, and I’m giving Him all the glory … It’s been a rollercoaster throughout this whole INFR, and I’ve been praying about it. I just want to make everyone proud, including Karsyn’s family.”

Oklahoma cowgirl Abilene McGee trailed Dale with an aggregate time of 47.162 seconds, while Winslow cowgirl Tara Seaton entered the championship round fifth with 47.705 seconds.

In bareback riding, Cauy Betony led the finalists with 226 points in the aggregate. Nazlini, Arizona, cowboy Alvaro Begay was second with 186 points, followed by Isaiah Tom with 185.

Oklahoma cowboy Chance Howard took the lead in steer wrestling with an aggregate time of 15.70 seconds, ahead of South Dakota’s Brook Belkham, who had thrown three steers in 16.59 seconds. Crownpoint cowboy Tydon Tsosie was fourth with 18.47 seconds.

Breakaway roper Audrey Fish entered the championship round with a narrow lead over Diné cowgirl Kadin Jodie. The two ropers had aggregate times of 8.56 and 9.91 seconds, respectively.

A pair of South Dakota cowboys held the top two spots in saddle bronc riding, with Kash Deal leading the field at 241 points and Cole Elshere following with 236. Defending INFR world champion Creighton Curley entered the championship round fifth with 229 points.

In tie-down roping, Oklahoma’s Tylen Layton led the average race with 30.98 seconds, followed by Cherokee cowboy Dontre’ Goff at 34.06.

Thoreau, New Mexico, cowboy Wyatt Gibson and Montana cowboy Nolan Conway led the team roping with an aggregate time of 17.34 seconds on three draws. Drew Harper and Jess Harper followed with 18.41 seconds.