Diné contestants capture 3 world titles

The Navajo Nation sent a small number of rodeo contestants to the 35th annual Indian National Finals Rodeo over the weekend and the number of world champions was much smaller as Navajos captured titles in only three events - barrel racing, breakaway and team roping.

Header Erich Rogers, 24, of Rough Rock, Ariz. and heeler Aaron Tsinigine of Winslow, Ariz., captured the team-roping title with class as they dominated their event all four days.

"Our motto throughout the rodeo was to either do good and win money or go down fighting," said Rogers, a five-time INFR qualifier. "We knew that if we drew good, we'd score good. We did what we wanted to do the way we wanted to do it."

The pair won the first round with a time of 3.92 then placed second in the second round with a 5.65.

They continued their winning streak as they won again in the third round with 4.94 and then second with a time of 5.71 in the final round to win the average with a 20.22.

"We got out to a good start and rode until we got a good shot," Rogers said. "I got on it fast and tried to give my partner a chance to do good too. We drew good steers all weekend."

Though Rogers' goal was to win the all-around title that did not happen this year.

"It means a lot to be an Indian world champ," he said. "It's everyone's goal to be on top and to have those bragging rights for a year."

Rogers credited his parents Ervin and Ramona Rogers and the rest of his family for the team's success.

Breakaway roper Yolanda Nez of Upper Fruitland, N.M., captured the title in the ladies breakaway event.

"I told myself I would take it step by step," said Nez. "Stay smooth to be quick. I knew I had to study my calves and know my start, come out swinging with my tip down, and ready to position my horse to rope the calves deep."

Nez placed third in the first round with a time of 3.21, then had a 3.75 in the second round, a 4.4 in the third round and a 2.86 in the final round to win the average in 14.22.

"I knew what I had to do," she added. "I had to catch and everything else would take its course. This world title means I overcame adversity. It means whenever you put your mind to a task and believe in yourself anything is possible. This is a mile marker in my rodeo career and I am ready to continue to rodeo to live and live to rodeo."

This year's National High School Finals breakaway champion, Kassidy Dennison of Tohatchi, N.M., captured the title in the barrel-racing event.

Dennison, who also defended her all-around title, clocked in a 16.065 in the first round, a 15.595 in the third round and a 15.795 in the final round for an average time of 63.719.

The top contestants from throughout Indian Country vied for a title in one of the eight rodeo events. About 20 Navajos competed.

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