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2C • The Seminole Tribune • September 25, 2009
Rodeo Competitors Give Their All at Finals
BY JUDY WEEKS
Freelance Reporter
BIG CYPRESS — Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA)
members converged on the Junior Cypress Arena at the Big Cypress
Entertainment Complex Aug. 28-29 to participate in the 2009 Regional
Finals Rodeo.
The competitors traveled the EIRA circuit all year long, attempting
to accumulate the points necessary to qualify for the competition
at the 2009 Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) at South
Pointe Casino in Las Vegas.
On Aug. 28, participants vied for the top 10 slots in each event
during the long go process and racked up scores to be averaged
with the short go for a chance at the regional finals championship
buckles.
Average points from the two-day event will be added to the
scores collected throughout the year to determine the year end
champions, which will be announced at the 2009 banquet. Champions
will represent the EIRA at the Indian National Finals Rodeo and
will be accompanied by the reserve winners.
The finals proved to be a wild weekend of rodeo with extraordinary
exhibitions and near calamities in almost all the events. Excitement
rippled throughout the stands as spectators took turns cheering
and gasping in disbelief as their favorite athletes risked life and
limb before their eyes.
Brighton bareback rider Jacoby Johns bested Oklahoma cowboy
Cody Parker during the long go, but they swapped positions
during the second night. Averaging their points, Johns won the
championship buckle by a slim one point difference.
The horses were the winners during the first round of saddle
bronc competition with no qualified rides. However, last year’s
champion, Tyler Humble beat out Ivan Bruised Head for the buckle
in the short go.
Steer wrestler GrayWolf Herrera took a first over Naha Jumper
and then returned for a second behind Dayne Johns with an 11.1 run
in the short go. A quick average of the points moved Herrera in line
to receive the buckle for the championship.
Two-tenths of a second put Naha Jumper ahead of Ivan Bruised
Head in the calf roping event, but Al Tigertail’s 15 second flat run
in the short go swept them both off their feet. When Jumper’s calf
Judy Weeks
Andre Jumper (C) somersaults to the ground in the steer riding competition.
slipped through the rope, it appeared to have cost him the points,
until the results were averaged and 2 seconds brought home his
buckle.
Shelby Osceola and Ayze Henry battled it out for first and second
place respectively in the ladies’ breakaway event. Leanna Billie’s
6.5 second win in the short go held promise, but wasn’t quite
enough to upset Osceola’s bid for the championship with a 4 seconds
flat time.
Breakaway legend’s division competitor Billy Joe Johns won
the regional finals buckle with a 5.9 second catch just out of the box.
The steers were taking an unfair advantage in the team roping
event until header Justin Gopher and heeler Gray Wolf Herrera
came in at 10.9 seconds for first place. The duo then came back for
the buckle on the second night.
A 16.865 and 16.172 second run for Loretta Peterson blew everybody
out of the saddle and made her a shoe in for the championship
in ladies’ division barrel racing event. Carrera Gopher and
Sheyanna Osceola qualified for the second place prizes and will be
tough competition for the year end totals.
Bull rider Seth Randolph scored an awesome 84 points in the
long go that earned him the buckle following no qualifying rides
during the second event.
Junior bareback riders William Bearden and Andrew Holmes
tied with 58 points, splitting the monetary prize. Flipping a coin for
the buckle, Andrew Holmes came out ahead of the game.
Junior rodeo non-sanctioned events took place on the afternoon
of Aug. 29 and were the place for rodeo fans who love action and
suspense.
Mutton busters David R. Doctor, Myron Billie and Cameron
Hollying all tied for first place and were close contenders on their
second runs. Hollying’s two 30 second scores gave him the necessary
edge.
Frank Huff drew a rearing maniac in the pony riding, but managed
to hold his own for the required 6 seconds. His 67 points beat
out K-Dawg Smedley and Jobe Johns.
Calf rider Jobe Johns’ 4.38 seconds earned him a buckle, but
also an ice pack and wrap for his upper arm after being stomped by
the animal. Johns however returned to take first place in the junior
steer un-decorating event.
Chebon Gooden beat the buzzer by fractions of a second to
take the senior steer un-decorating championship title.
Meanwhile, the steers won the chute dogging event
hands down.
Blevyns Jumper suffered a hard blow in the steer
riding event when his mount slammed him into the side
of the chute nearly knocking the wind out of him.
The good news was that he eventually made it to
his feet and staggered out into the arena. The bad news
was the fact that he qualified for a re-ride. Being a sensible
young man, he declined and K-Dawg Smedley
took the prize.
Junior bull rider William Bearden took home his
second first place title for the day when he earned 58
points on a black and white spotted brute. Ernie Courson
and Billy Foley were hot on his heels, but didn’t
quite cover his score.
When it comes to barrel racing, the Jumper family
has made their mark. With 11 riders competing, Budha
Jumper came in first in the 4-8 year old division. Her
cousins, Kalgary Johns and Ahnie Jumper, took first
and second, respectively, in the 9-12 year old division,
while burning up their patterns.
Completing the barrel racing line-up, Nauthkee
Henry had an impressive 17.823 points in the 13-17
year old division.
Out of nine contestants, Dalton Boney had the
only catch in the junior breakaway event and took the
championship with his 4.2 second run.
Judy Weeks
Saddle bronc rider Tyler Humble went on to win the regional finals championship buckle.
Judy Weeks
(L-R) Team ropers Justin Gopher and GrayWolf Herrera receive congratulatory handshakes from
competitors and brothers, Naha and Josh Jumper, after winning at the regional finals roping event.
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