Big names leave with no title

Some big names in rodeo worked all year and in some cases decades for a chance to go down in the history books as an Indian world champion.

But they know that after the 35th annual Indian National Finals Rodeo last weekend, all they can do now is dust off their jeans as many left with no title.

At age 42 and having competed in the bareback event most of those years, Bennie Begay, a 16-time qualifier and seven-time runner-up, knows better than anyone what it takes to be a world champion.

This year, Begay left disappointed yet again.

"Even the riders behind the chutes told me that I wasn't being judged right," said Begay, of Rock Point, Ariz., about his scores. "But they also told me that even as an old man, I was doing better than them. That helped me to keep my chin up."

Begay scored a 74 in the first round, 73 on the second ride, and 73 in the third round for a total score of 220 and an overall finish of 12th place.

"The horse did his part and I did my part," Begay said. "I just think I should have gotten higher scores and should have won two rounds easily. With everything that everyone said I just told myself that I won and that I am a world champ.

"I'll definitely go after it again," he added. "Even though I'm half of everyone's age."

Placing in the top 15 was Earl Tsosie Jr. from Indian Wells, Ariz. who placed 7th with a score of 286 on three draws, J.R. Chino who placed 11th with a score of 228, and Freddy WarBonnet in 13th with a score of 218.

Three-time INFR champion Julius Y. Begay of Shiprock went to Vegas already having won two titles at the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association finals in mid-October and the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association finals in late-October so accepting his third-place finish at the INFR wasn't difficult.

"It all depends on the luck of the draw," said Begay. "I got some pretty decent draws but two threw me off. The Lord blessed me in this way and I'll take what I got."

Begay, a 24-time qualifier and five-time runner-up, bucked off his first and third rounds but won the second round with an 84-point ride. He scored an 82 in the final round for a total of 166 points on four draws and an overall 3rd place finish in the bull-riding event.

Raynell Harvey, of Tsaile, Ariz., placed 7th with a score of 81. JR Billy of Cortez, N.M. followed in 8th with his 77.

First-time qualifier Leander Thomas of Steamboat Canyon, Ariz., placed 12th with his average of 76 points in the saddle-bronc event. Following close behind was T.O. Yazzie of Cowsprings, Ariz., in 13th and Vince Tsosie of Table Mesa, N.M. in 14th.

Calf roper and steer wrestler Garrison Begay, a 10-time INFR qualifier and three-time calf-roping champion, of Lower Greasewood, Ariz., said competing was a reward in itself.

"I'm just happy to have competed in the INFR finals and to have competed against top competitors across Indian Country," he said. "But most importantly, I was able to walk out of the arena injury-free."

Begay finished 4th with his total time of 52.81.

"Some days are diamonds while others dust in the wind," Begay said. "Of course anyone who is a competitor expects the best. However, there are many factors that come into play and when you are competing, you don't have time to think about your last run, but only hope for the best.

"Keeping your head up is the most important thing," he added.

Placing 13th in the calf-roping event was Kyle Dennison of Window Rock with his total time of 35.3 seconds.

Breakaway roper Janelle Many Goats of Winslow, Ariz., placed 15th with her time of 17.17. Barrel racer Faith Holyan placed 11th with her total time of 66.764.

Steer wrestler Brandon Bates of Mexican Springs, N.M., dominated the steer-wrestling event but failed on his last steer placing him second with a total of 21.4 on four head. Bates clocked a 4.23 in the first round and placed second for the day, then had a 4.65 in the second round again placing second for the day, and a 7.4 in the third round and a 5.12 in the final round to give him the runner-up title in the average.

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