Seminoles wrap up EIRA season, ready for INFR Sports by Kevin Johnson - July 31, 2017 Kevin Johnson photo BRIGHTON — The Eastern Indian Rodeo Association’s 2017 season wrapped up the weekend of July 7-9 with a regional competition and banquet, but the work isn’t done yet for some of its riders. Adults and youth qualified to compete at the 42nd Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo that will be held Nov. 7-11 at South Point Arena in Las Vegas. “It was a great year. We had good participation,” said EIRA president Josh Jumper. Especially encouraging was the turnout on the youth level throughout the season. “We were probably between 70 and 100 kids. It’s probably one of the biggest sporting events we have for the kids,” said Jumper’s father, Moses Jumper Jr. “Seems like we’re building back up again. The kids are getting into it again,” Josh Jumper said. “We’re going to send a good crew of kids [to INFR].” Jumper’s advice to the rookies who will make their INFR debuts: “Just go out there and do your best,” he said. “That’s a big stage for those kids to be in as far as being in Vegas and the lights and the sound system and people watching them. Go out there and do your best and try to take one go at a time.” The regionals at Fred Smith Rodeo Arena provided one final chance for a competitor – adult or youth – to turn an average season into a memorable one. Kevin Johnson photo “A guy can have a bad year and turn around and win the average this weekend and go to Vegas,” Jumper said. Congratulations, EIRA riders, on qualifying for INFR Jacoby Johns — Brighton Bare Back Riding Blevyns Jumper — Big Cypress Steer Wrestling Naha Jumper — Big Cypress Calf Roping Connor Osborn — Oklahoma Calf Roping Ahnie Jumper — Big Cypress Lady’s Breakaway Roping Trina Hipp — Brighton Lady’s Breakaway Roping Josh Jumper & Naha Jumper — Big Cypress Team Roping Jason Baker & Caitlin Tommie — Brighton Team Roping Ashley Parks — Davie Lady’s Barrel Racing Jo “Boogie” Johns — Brighton Lady’s Barrel Racing Kelton Smedley —Brighton Bull Riding Madisyn Osceola — Brighton INFR Jr. Breakaway Roping & Barrel Racing Budha Jumper — Big Cypress INFR Jr. Barrel Racing Jaylen Baker — Brighton INFR Jr. Bull Riding Norman Osceola — Brighton INFR Jr. Bull Riding Norman “Dad” Johns — Brighton Sr. Breakaway Roping Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share
