INFR crowns 3 Diné champions in Jr/Sr Events

By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times

LAS VEGAS, Nev.

The final rounds of the 2025 Indian National Finals Rodeo’s Junior and Senior divisions wrapped up in Las Vegas, closing the week with new champions crowned and gold buckles secured.

Among those earning top honors were Darryl Monroe and Spider Ramone in Senior Team Roping and Cashes Thomas in Junior Bull Riding.

In conjunction with the Junior and Senior Finals, rookie bronc and bareback categories were added this year with Riley Begay winning the bareback and Ethan Heisman Yazzie claiming the saddle bronc. Entries were open to any Native American contestant 25 years of age or younger who had never qualified for the INFR, with an added $1,000 purse for each event.

The spotlight fell on Tommy Nez Jr., who placed second in the Senior Breakaway aggregate with a time of 10.21 seconds as he finished behind event champion Eric C. Watson, who roped three draws in 9.70 seconds. Gerald Daye of Gallup followed in third with a 10.32 aggregate, while Benson Charley of Crownpoint took fourth at 10.35 seconds. John Boyd Jr. of Window Rock finished fifth with 10.77 seconds and Darryl Monroe of Page rounded out the top eight at 9.28 seconds with the latter roping two of three calves.

In the Junior Breakaway, Crownpoint’s Tryan Jodie earned his moment in the spotlight with a second-place finish in the aggregate, clocking 21.50 seconds, trailing only first-place winner Hudson Terveen as the South Dakota cowboy won the event in 11.47 seconds. Cody Lane Yazzie of Rehoboth, New Mexico, also placed well, finishing fifth overall by catching two of three draws in 7.80 seconds.

The Junior Barrel Racing standings saw a shake-up as Carli Jones moved up from fourth to third in the aggregate race, finishing three runs in 46.986. Naci Charley of Dennehotso, Arizona, followed in fourth place with a 47.127 aggregate while Jasmine Yazzie of Kayenta rounded out the field at 52.669 seconds for eighth place.

The Senior Team Roping event belonged to Diné combo of header Monroe and heeler Ramone. Together, they clinched first place with a 24.66 aggregate. Brother Carl and Aaron Begay finished close behind in second with a three-run average of 26.16 seconds. Victor Begay, who roped with Marco Sells, placed fourth at 27.13 seconds while James Begay Jr. and Marvin Yazzie took fifth with 37.31 seconds.

Wrapping up the afternoon, Junior Bull Riding brought the crowd to its feet as Cashes Thomas of Window Rock rode his way to victory with a three-round total of 199 points for the top spot in the aggregate. Elie Yazzie of Prewitt, New Mexico, followed in second with 131 points, closing out an impressive showing for the Navajo Nation and Four Corners riders at this year’s INFR.

In the rookie divisions, Begay captured the bareback title with a 66-point ride while Yazzie of Houck, Arizona claimed the Rookie Saddle Bronc buckle with a 74-point ride.

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