Short round qualifiers set for Ceremonial Open Rodeo

CHURCH ROCK, N.M.

The long go-round of the 104th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association Open Rodeo is in the books with the conclusion of Saturday’s performance at Red Rock Park.

The top 10 cowboys and cowgirls will be vying for event crowns in Sunday’s short round, which will start at noon in the main arena. The festivities will also include a handful of old-school events such as the Pony Express Race, Frybread Pan Throwing Contest and Hide Race. The annual rodeo will also feature the Wild Horse Race, Ladies Steer Riding, Wooly Riding and Buffalo Riding.

The leaderboard in three events changed hands Saturday afternoon with bull rider Kash Long, saddle bronc cowboy Oistin Charleston and bareback rider Cauy Betony producing some top rides.

Long sought redemption on Key Ranch bull Red Rooster, scoring 78 points to earn his best showing ever at the annual Ceremonial rodeo.

“I’m really happy with my ride,” Long said. “It’s always good to make a qualified ride. I’ve been on a little riding slump and it’s always good to get another bull under my belt so that I can build that confidence.”

The Dilkon, Arizona, cowboy said he rode Red Rooster about three years ago and was bucked off.

“I kind of went off that ride, and it’s a little bit of redemption with today’s rematch,” he said.

Long said he’s rodeoed at Ceremonial for a couple of years, and this is his first time making the short round.

“I’m going to try and build off of this for (Sunday’s) ride,” Long said. “I’m just going to come out and try my best.”

Besides Long, two other bull riders made qualified rides, with Jaiden Harrison and Vinny Barbosa making the whistle. Harrison scored a 77-point effort aboard BIG on Saturday afternoon, while Barbosa finished with a 68-point ride on King Bee on Thursday night.

Those three cowboys are in contention to win this year’s average crown as the Ceremonial rodeo committee drew back seven other riders to compete in Sunday’s short round.

Charleston, who earned the top score of 78 points aboard Kadoka Joe in the saddle bronc event, is seeking to win his first Ceremonial rodeo after coming up short in 2025.

“I came close last year, but I had some tough luck in the short round,” Charleston said. “I won the long go, and I had the same score as last year with a 78, so I repeated it again this year.”

As for his mindset going into Sunday’s round, Charleston said his job is not finished yet.

“I’m going to show up and be better than I was today,” he said.

Charleston edged Tyler Beebe for the long-go win as the Colorado cowboy scored a 77-point ride on China Girl, a Running B5 Bucking Horse.

Friday afternoon leader Shane Phillips dropped two spots with his 75-point effort aboard Key Ranch’s Rogue Dealer.

“I’ve never gotten on that horse, but she was a nice horse, a nice hopper,” Phillips said. “I asked the stock contractor about her, and he said (the horse) has its days and today was a good day to draw her.”

The rest of the short-round qualifiers who made qualified rides include Kaden Miranda (73 points), Creighton Curley (73), Lorenzo Benally (65) and Shoshane Kee (64). Three other cowboys were drawn back.

In bareback riding, Betony won the long go-round with a 76-point effort aboard Prudhoe Bay of Running B5 Bucking Horse. His top score bettered the 73-point effort that Alvaro Begay turned in Thursday night on Pass the Hat.

Wyatt Betony finished with a 72-point score aboard Key Ranch horse Fistfight during Saturday’s round. The rest of the field will include four other cowboys who were drawn back.

The high callbacks for Sunday’s championship round in the timed events include Tydon Tsosie (bull doggin, 6.1), Kayden Caboni (ladies breakaway, 2.85), Zane Munoz (tie-down, 10.51), Lany Mirabal (ladies barrel racing, 17.376) and Ryan Garcia/Clarence Yazzie (open team roping, 4.48).

The list of short-round qualifiers is as follows.

Bareback

1. Cauy Betony, 76.
2. Alvaro Begay, 73.
3. Wyatt Betony, 72.
4. Richard James, 0.
5. Tylor Tsosie, 0.
6. Malaci Shorty, 0.
7. Isaiah Tom, 0.

Bull doggin

1. Tylon Tsosie, 6.10.
2. Rooster Yazzie, 6.58.
3. Tydon Tsosie, 8.46.
4. Pike Ketcham, 10.40.
5. Matthew Jodie, 14.33.
6. Winston Jim, 34.78.
7. Tyran Jodie, 36.46.
8. Braydon Boyd, 400.00.
9. Chandler Jim, 400.00.
10. Jeremiah Jodie, 400.00.

Ladies breakaway

1. Kayden Caboni, 2.85.
2. Elisha Paul, 2.88.
3. Carli Jones, 3.04.
4. Kadin Jodie, 3.19.
5. Lavonne Staker, 3.26.
6. Taniah Nez, 3.63.
7. Latasha Murphy, 3.86.
8. Racey Blackrock, 3.87.
9. Cauleen Segay, 4.04.
10. Kylie Dodson, 4.08.

Saddle bronc

1. Oistin Charleston, 78.
2. Tyler Beebe, 77.
3. Shane Phillips, 75.
4. Kaden Miranda, 73.
5. Creighton Curley, 73.
6. Lorenzo Benally, 65.
7. Shoshane Kee, 64.
8. Hank Blackgoat, 10.
9. Jacob Yazzie, 0.
10. Alzayin Lucas Kee, 0.

Tie-down roping

1. Zane Munoz, 10.51.
2. Nelson Charley III, 12.00.
3. Seth Hall, 12.56.
4. Trevor Jim, 13.73.
5. Benson Charley, 13.80.
6. Justin Tsosie Jr., 14.59.
7. Keacey Phillips, 16.30.
8. Ty Pablo, 17.90.
9. Landon Munoz, 18.82.
10. Colby Segay, 20.20.

Open team roping

1. Ryan Garcia/Clarence Yazzie, 4.48.
2. Hiyo Yazzie/Cameron Tsinginnie, 4.63.
3. Rawley Ben/Hiyo Yazzie, 4.98.
4. Westley Benally/Henry Benally III, 5.06.
5. Dwight Sells/Shane Jodie, 5.25.
6. Kesley Phillips/Keacey Phillips, 5.28.
7. Marco Sells/Trevor Nowlin, 5.46.
8. Ty Romo/Wawa Ben, 5.47.
9. Aaron Tsinigine/Victor Begay, 5.64.
10. Myles John/Brandon Ben, 6.28.

Ladies barrel racing

1. Lany Mirabal, 17.376.
2. Keelyn Etsitty, 17.674.
3. Brandy Sanchez, 17.886.
4. Tara Seaton, 17.899.
5. Maysa Yazzie, 18.019.
6. Carli Jones, 18.037.
7. Nancy Velasquez, 18.146.
8. Jodelle Bitloy, 18.156.
9. Patrice Yazzie, 18.415.
10. Riana James, 18.441.

Open bull riding

1. Kash Long, 78.
2. Jaiden Harrison, 77.
3. Vinny Barbosa, 68.
4. Korwin Kilecheenie, 0.
5. Cimmaron Curley, 0.
6. Vinell Mariano, 0.
7. Trent Laughlin, 0.
8. Isaiah Tom, 0.
9. Kyler Notah, 0.
10. Xman Antez, 0.

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.

---