7th IIFR kicks off with large fan base
By Quentin Jodie
Navajo Times
FARMINGTON, Oct. 24, 2011
Maybe it's because they are well versed in the spectacle that happens inside the arena. But the real reason, it seems, is the IIFR draws a lot of spectators due to its close proximity to Navajoland.
This is year should be no different as the 7th edition kicked off this morning with the 9 a.m. performance for the minor events at Farmington's McGee Park Coliseum. The main performance is slated to start at 7 p.m. tonight for the eight major events.
The schedule will remain the same for the next two days with the finals concluding on Saturday night. The top 5 qualifiers in the minor events will earn their way into the championship round.
Tickets for the finals are $10 on Thursday and $15 on Friday and Saturday.
"We are the only finals that is close to home," IIFR Commissioner Edison Bitsui said. "Spectator-wise, it's getting bigger every year. We draw a lot of our Navajo people who follow their favorite cowboys and cowgirls from the AIRCA and CNRA."
This year the field includes 64 qualifiers from both associations but when you include the wild-card entrants from the Navajo Nation Fair and the Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo, the numbers jump to 88 Diné contestants.
"Between the four organizations we have more Navajos and that is what makes the draws that more significant," Bitsui said. "But really the IIFR is a big family. We value and appreciate our neighbors from the north who have traveled far distances to be here."
Because of the distance, Bitsui said the IIFR decided to accommodate their northern friends by ending the finals on Saturday night instead of the usual Sunday afternoon performance.
"Primarily most of the contestants from the north can use Sunday as a travel day," he said. "It makes it easy for those who are traveling hard."
Besides crowning world champions on Saturday night, the IIFR has two other events going on during the three-day event.
On Friday, some of the contestants will tee it up at the Pinon Hills Golf Course. The format is a four-team scramble in which 18 holes of golf will be played. The first place winners will take home IIFR Pendleton jackets while the second place team will receive golf equipment.
"It's going on its fourth year and this is a popular event," Bitsui said. "This is an opportunity for us to spend time with our vendors and our fans."
The ever-popular IIFR Team Roping Classic will be held on Saturday and Sunday morning. The format includes No. 13 handicap roping and a Super 12 roping on Saturday afternoon.
And then on Sunday, the roping will end with a No. 11 handicap warm-up followed by the 5(+)-and-under shootout with high-point roper receiving $5,000.
As for other entertainment, Aces Wild and State Line will be performing on Friday night while renowned country singer Eddy Raven will take center stage on Saturday night. Both events will are scheduled to take place after the rodeo performance.
Admission is $12 for Friday's lineup while the Eddy Raven concert is $25 at door. Fans can save $5 for the concert by purchasing advance tickets at the Boot Barn store or at Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise.
In other notes, the IIFR will crown a new queen on Friday night. This year the candidates are Chenoa Williams, Tanya Shepard, Brittany Becenti and Tarah Jamie Onessa Henio.