EIRA features Marki Rodeo bulls
By Susan Etchey
By Susan Etchey
Brighton - The Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EOIRA)season is about midway to finals in October, 2006. Brighton hosted an EIRA event Friday, April 8th at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena featuring Seminole cowboys and cowgirls and visiting rodeo riders from as far away as New York, Oregon and Arizona. "It was a smaller rodeo this month, but a good one. said EIRA secretary, Jo Leigh "Boogie Jumper. By this time of year Florida rodeos have fewer entries as Western states start to kick off Indian rodeo when the weather gets milder.
That left most of the field open to Seminole contestants. The faithful turned out. Jumper said the Tribe has dedicated competitors. "When it comes to winning rodeo you know if you got what it takes, and if you do, it’s in your blood."
The stock Friday night was provided by Marki Rodeo, a superior stock owned and managed by Seminole citizen, Marti Johns. It was a challenging night for the contestants with the majority getting bucked off angry horses and bulls before their time limit. In the Bull Riding event, no one scored.
Although most entries were from Brighton and Big Cypress, there were five entries that traveled from states as far away as Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico - members of the Navajo, Navajo/Shinnecock, and White Swan /Yakima tribes. One family drove down from New York so their son, Adam Phillips, could participate in Junior Bull Riding.
The evening started off with non-sanctioned events for the youngsters and there were remarkable first place10 point performances by Ahnie Jumper in the Mutton Bustin; Blevins Jumper in Calf Riding; Andre Jumper in Pony Riding and Steer Riding; Kalgary Johns, Henry Anuthkee, and Janae Braswell in Barrel Racing; Seth Randolph in Jr. Bull Riding; Dalton Boney in Jr. Breakaway; Jacoby Johns in Jr. Bareback. These and all the youngsters who competed in junior events are the ones to be watching for future champions.
In the Sanctioned Events, first place in the Bareback Riding event was won by Freddie Warbonnet, a White Swan Yakima Indian who now lives in Pendleton, Oregon. Warbonnet has a showman’s kind of flair making him a fun contestant to watch.
There were no contestants who placed in Steer Wrestling. The bulls just got the best of them.
Warbonnet’s brother, Cort Herrera, placed first in Calf Roping barely beating out Josh Jumper who came in 2nd.
In the Women’s Breakaway, Pauletta Bowers placed 1st with 10 points and with her seven point win in the Team Roping Heelers she also received the highest All Around Points of 19 points. A second close in All Around Points was Shelby Osceola with 17 points for her 8 points in Women’s Breakaway and her 9 points in Barrel Racing.
An upcoming star in the arena was Brighton Rodeo Queen, LeAnna Billie. This high school senior is really showing some amazing skills in Barrel Racing. She rode a new gray horse she has never rode in competition. "She really had to work with it, ride it many hours, and she brought it around, said Boogie Jumper.
The 10 point winner in Team Roping Headers was Josh Jumper, and Naha Jumper won 10 points in the Team Roping Heelers.
That left most of the field open to Seminole contestants. The faithful turned out. Jumper said the Tribe has dedicated competitors. "When it comes to winning rodeo you know if you got what it takes, and if you do, it’s in your blood."
The stock Friday night was provided by Marki Rodeo, a superior stock owned and managed by Seminole citizen, Marti Johns. It was a challenging night for the contestants with the majority getting bucked off angry horses and bulls before their time limit. In the Bull Riding event, no one scored.
Although most entries were from Brighton and Big Cypress, there were five entries that traveled from states as far away as Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico - members of the Navajo, Navajo/Shinnecock, and White Swan /Yakima tribes. One family drove down from New York so their son, Adam Phillips, could participate in Junior Bull Riding.
The evening started off with non-sanctioned events for the youngsters and there were remarkable first place10 point performances by Ahnie Jumper in the Mutton Bustin; Blevins Jumper in Calf Riding; Andre Jumper in Pony Riding and Steer Riding; Kalgary Johns, Henry Anuthkee, and Janae Braswell in Barrel Racing; Seth Randolph in Jr. Bull Riding; Dalton Boney in Jr. Breakaway; Jacoby Johns in Jr. Bareback. These and all the youngsters who competed in junior events are the ones to be watching for future champions.
In the Sanctioned Events, first place in the Bareback Riding event was won by Freddie Warbonnet, a White Swan Yakima Indian who now lives in Pendleton, Oregon. Warbonnet has a showman’s kind of flair making him a fun contestant to watch.
There were no contestants who placed in Steer Wrestling. The bulls just got the best of them.
Warbonnet’s brother, Cort Herrera, placed first in Calf Roping barely beating out Josh Jumper who came in 2nd.
In the Women’s Breakaway, Pauletta Bowers placed 1st with 10 points and with her seven point win in the Team Roping Heelers she also received the highest All Around Points of 19 points. A second close in All Around Points was Shelby Osceola with 17 points for her 8 points in Women’s Breakaway and her 9 points in Barrel Racing.
An upcoming star in the arena was Brighton Rodeo Queen, LeAnna Billie. This high school senior is really showing some amazing skills in Barrel Racing. She rode a new gray horse she has never rode in competition. "She really had to work with it, ride it many hours, and she brought it around, said Boogie Jumper.
The 10 point winner in Team Roping Headers was Josh Jumper, and Naha Jumper won 10 points in the Team Roping Heelers.
