Pint-Size Rodeo Wranglers ‘Rodeo Up’ For a Day of Fun
When it comes time to “rodeo-up,” not everyone gets invited to the Big Dance -- those action-packed hotspots like the Indian National Finals Rodeo or the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. But the saddle stars of tomorrow have to start somewhere, and this year’s community-sponsored All Indian Junior Rodeo was a day-long rope-and-race-all-over-the-place with a cheering section that contained lots of relatives and family members.
“Horses are what we’re made of out here,” said arena director Leonard “J.D.” Delores, a former traveling rodeo bareback bull rider, who started riding steers at 12-years-old. “This rodeo is totally geared to our community of youngsters to give them a chance to compete and show their developing skills.”
The rodeo was held at the Cowlic Community of the Tohono O’odham Nation in the southern Arizona on October 26. The O’odham Nation also holds an adult version for rodeo riders earlier in the year, but at this one-day arena gathering, spectators rooted for younger tribal members in four divisions including the crowd-pleasing Pee Wee and Midget categories (for tots age 6 and under).
Contenders in the youngest age bracket vied for the top spot in additional categories: stick horse racing, stick barrel racing, and dummy roping; while the older kids graduated to calf riding (age 7-12), steer riding (age 13-15) and bull riding (age 16-18).
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Ron Gilson/GilsonPhoto.com
A cowgirl gears up for a ride at the All-Indian Junior Rodeo on October 26, 2014.
Kenzlee Beyale, a one-and-a-half-year-old cowgirl, had a tough, mutton-busting challenge with rough stock three times her size, but she bravely competed in the wooly ride.
Nathan Pablo organized and coordinated the day’s events. “We’re pretty isolated out here with little to do for our youth who are mostly raised on a ranch and familiar with livestock. This is an opportunity for them to burn off some energy and be recognized for their talents.”
An official belt buckle prize was awarded to those competitors who managed to hang on to the sheep for 6 seconds (8 seconds for steers), and everyone who competed and attended the event was a winner in some way: they took home raffle prizes and T-shirts. “This was truly a community event made possible by donations and volunteers,” said Pablo. “Lots of people contributed so that all could have a good time.”
