Dallas PRCA Pro Rodeo stock contractor debuts on Navajo Nation

400 contestants from throughout the country will be competing for $74,000 in prize money

WINDOW ROCK, AZ. - Pete Carr is an entrepreneur by day and a cowboy by night. Carr is a man who wears different hats. That's because he owns a construction business, is a PRCA Pro Rodeo stock contractor, a team roper, a former bareback rider, and family man from Dallas, Texas.

The Navajo Nation selected Carr Rodeo as the rodeo stock contractor for the Navajo Nation Fourth of July Celebration and PRCA Pro Rodeo on July 3-7 in Window Rock, Ariz.

In fact, Carr Pro Rodeo, whose motto is "Living Life in Eight Seconds," will make its debut to the Navajo Nation on July 4.

Carr Pro Rodeo was established in 2005, but the seed was planted long before that. Even though he transitioned from a bareback rider to his commercial construction business, rodeo was in his blood. He started about a decade ago as a co-owner in another livestock company, but he spent that 2005 season under the permit stage of his very own PRCA card.

That year, Real Deal was named PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year. The horse continues to be recognized as one of the very best bucking horses in rodeo. Moreover, Carr has other award-winning livestock such as River Boat Annie - the 2007 Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse and MGM Deuces Night and Dirty Jacket, both in the running for the 2012 Horse of the Year. Carr also has a string of animals that are the talk of the bull riding circuit.

Today, he owns a very successful construction and rodeo stock contractor business. Carr said he is very pleased he was awarded the rodeo contract and is looking forward to coming to the Navajo Nation.

"The Navajo Nation has a very rich rodeo history and I'm glad to be a part of it," said Carr. "I know there are some great rodeo fans on the Navajo Nation. I hope we can put on the show that they want to see over and over again. Our team consists of the very best in the business who share my passion for the sport of rodeo, and we enjoy bringing that experience to rodeo fans everywhere."

"I'm excited that the Fourth of July celebration is being re-established in Window Rock by the Special Events Office. It will allow us to once again celebrate freedom along with other communities throughout the country," said Frederick H. White, Navajo Nation Division of Resources Executive Director.

White said the PRCA Pro Rodeo in the capital of the Navajo Nation was the brainchild of former Navajo Nation Fair Manager Ben Bennett and Edison Bitsui.

"Ben Bennett and Edison Bitsui are the founding members and were instrumental in bringing the PRCA Pro Rodeo to the Navajo Nation 24 years ago, and I want to commend them for their vision. We're working diligently with various individuals and entities to continue their vision. As a result of their goal, we now have Navajo champions in professional rodeo," said White.

White said it takes months of preparation, dedication, a host of volunteers, a lot of fundraising, and multiple partnerships to launch an event of this magnitude.

"We needed someone to assist us who is knowledgeable about rodeo, which is why we selected TJ Holgate as our PRCA Pro Rodeo coordinator," said White. "TJ is a former PRCA card holder and former world's champion bareback rider on the Navajo Nation. He is doing a tremendous job."

TJ Holgate, coordinator for the PRCA Pro Rodeo, said, "I want all the rodeo fans to come on out and enjoy the PRCA Pro Rodeo. We are honored and are looking forward to working with Carr Pro Rodeo especially since this will be their very first time to work with us here on the Navajo Nation. They have some of the best rodeo stock in professional rodeo."

"I want to thank all of the individuals, entities, businesses, and the executive and legislative leadership who are supporting us to make this a successful event. We want the Navajo people and Navajoland visitors to enjoy what we have to offer here in the Navajo Nation capital," said White.

Approximately 400 contestants from throughout the country are expected to compete for $74,000 in prize money. The PRCA Pro Rodeo will be held at 6 p.m. on July 4 and 7 p.m. on July 5-6 at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds. The PRCA Pro Rodeo on July 4 will also feature junior barrel racing and a wild horse race at 5 p.m.

On July 3, there will be a Navajo comedy duo at 7:30 p.m. called James and Ernie followed by a Creedence Clearwater Revisited concert at 9 p.m. On July 6, there will be an event called Battle of the Bands, which will feature top Native American country and western bands. The winning band will open for Country Music Artist Gary Allen in September during the Navajo Nation Fair.

For more information about the PRCA Pro Rodeo or overall Fourth of July Celebration, contact Delilah Goodluck, Public Information Officer, at (928) 871-6632 or

www.navajonationfair.com.