Whitehorse makes history with Ty Murray Invitational win

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

ALBUQUERQUE

Keyshawn Whitehorse fulfilled a lifelong dream Sunday afternoon, winning the Ty Murray Invitational at The Pit with a perfect performance.

Whitehorse went a flawless 4-for-4 during the three-day event, capping his run with two rides in the final day to secure the title. In a span of 16 seconds across two bulls, the Navajo rider from McCracken Spring, Utah, turned a strong showing into a historic finish.

It marked the first time in the event’s 28-year history that a Native rider has claimed the Ty Murray Invitational title.

At the conclusion, Ty Murray handed Whitehorse the trophy modeled after his own riding days and leaned in with a quiet message.

“That is the best bull riding I’ve ever seen,” Murray said.

The sold-out crowd witnessed more than a win. It saw the realization of a vision Murray has carried since the event began.

Whitehorse entered the final day in control after taking the aggregate lead in Round 2. In Round 3, he faced Freightliner Fever, a bull that had never been ridden. Whitehorse answered with a 91.60-point ride, reclaiming the top position heading into the championship round after briefly slipping to third as Claudio Montanha Jr. and Bob Mitchell surged on the leaderboard.

With the title within reach, Whitehorse drew Lights Out from the Blake Sharp, Henry Wilson and Hanks pen. Needing only 84 points to secure the win, he delivered a decisive 90.75-point ride. The arena erupted.

Once the 8 seconds were up, Whitehorse tossed his helmet with both hands across the arena and sprinted to embrace his father, Norbert, before turning back toward Murray, who waited with the trophy.

“Everyone here, I thank you so much,” Whitehorse said. “I thank Ty for putting on such a great event and all the Navajo Nation for the support here in Albuquerque. I’ve dreamed of this moment my entire life. Now we are on track for a gold buckle, and this is a great steppingstone.”

Whitehorse finished with an aggregate score of 361.90 across four bulls and earned 191 points toward the Unleash The Beast standings. The victory moves him to No. 9 in the world standings with 405 points, trailing leader John Crimber, who sits at 703, with three events remaining before the PBR World Finals.

Murray, who has long maintained ties to Native communities, said the moment carried significance beyond the scoreboard.

“I grew up in and around the Native American community my whole life,” Murray said. “I support them and want to give back to them and give them an opportunity, and the Ty Murray Invite gives one of the Native riders that opportunity. They have a passion for the sport.”

He added, “It’s fun to see the success of riders like Cody Jesus and others, but Keyshawn is coming up the old-fashioned way and still represents his community. Seeing him put up two high scores like that puts a smile on my face because I know what it means.”

Cole Brewer, the reigning Indian National Finals Rodeo champion, was unable to convert a ride across three rounds, underscoring the difficulty of transitioning to the PBR’s top level.

“Inviting the No. 1 guy, this is a huge step in competition,” Murray said. “Even if he doesn’t have immediate success, I hope it gives them confidence to know they can ride with the best. I want to inspire them to reach outside the box they create for themselves. Look at Keyshawn.”

In the end, the event returned to its simplest form: just a rider and a bull. Whitehorse executed that balance across four rides, staying in rhythm each time, a philosophy he described earlier in the weekend.

“The bull is half the points that you get, the dance partner you draw,” he said. “You have to stay in timing with him and don’t have a fight with the bull but make sure everything goes smoothly.”

While Whitehorse claimed the title, 4B Bucking Bulls of Rabbit Brush, N.M., Black Harbor remained unbeaten at the event, posting scores of 42.40 and 43.05 in the first and third rounds and continuing his streak as one of the most difficult draws in Albuquerque.

For one weekend, inside The Pit, a long-held vision met its moment. And when Whitehorse raised the trophy, it carried more than a win. It carried history.

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