Big action at 2013 Indian National Final Rodeo Nov. 5-9

Flag bearers are waiting for the opening ceremony to start.  Sonyah Clifford, Oglala Sioux and Miss Indian Rodeo, holds the U.S. flag and Eugenia Kirk, Navajo, of New Town, N.D., holds the Canadian flag as they wait for the opening ceremony to begin. Kirk is one of eight candidates vying for the next Miss Indian Rodeo title. Photos/Gary Elthie

Flag bearers are waiting for the opening ceremony to start.  Sonyah Clifford, Oglala Sioux and Miss Indian Rodeo, holds the U.S. flag and Eugenia Kirk, Navajo, of New Town, N.D., holds the Canadian flag as they wait for the opening ceremony to begin. Kirk is one of eight candidates vying for the next Miss Indian Rodeo title. Photos/Gary Elthie

LAS VEGAS - The opening ceremony for the 2013 Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) took place Nov. 5 at the South Point Event Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

The first INFR was in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1976.  Since then the event has taken place in different locations with the last six finals in Las Vegas, Nev.

Native American cowboys and cowgirls came together from across Indian Country including the United States and Canada.

The event started off with bare back riding and included steer wrestling, ladies breakaway roping, saddle bronc, calf roping, ladies barrel racing and team roping.

The rodeo culminated with the bull riding event.

Spectators held on to their seats as the Shiprock, N.M. cowboy, Julius Begay, did what he does best - riding the full eight seconds to place first for the first go round of the bull riding event.

Others were not so lucky, especially in the calf roping event.  There were many "no times" for the ropers.

The event ran through Nov. 9 to determine the next champion of the 2013 Indian National Finals Rodeo.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read