Tribe’s rodeo standouts punch tickets to Las Vegas Sports by The Seminole Tribune - October 17, 2016 EIRA year end winner Kelton Smedley controls the bull during the EIRA regional finals Sept. 17 in Brighton. (Keith Lovejoy/Keith Lovejoy Photography) The Eastern Indian Rodeo Association held its regional finals Sept. 16-17 in Brighton. Several competitors, including some from the Big Cypress and Brighton reservations, earned spots to the Indian National Finals Rodeo that will be held Nov. 8-12 at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. The EIRA will hold its annual awards banquet Oct. 22 at the Boys & Girls Club in Big Cypress. Dinner will start at 6 p.m. followed by awards at 7 p.m. Here are the competitors that qualified for INFR: Sudden Death Winners Steer Wrestling: Greg Louis – Montana Calf Roping: Connor Osbourn – Oklahoma Lady’s Breakaway: Mindy Fish – Oklahoma Team Roping: Greg Louis – Montana Ed Harry – Nevada Barrel Racing: Loretta Peterson – Brighton Year End Winners Saddle Bronc: TO Yazzie – Arizona Steer Wrestling: Blevyns Jumper – Big Cypress Team Roping: Josh Jumper & Naha Jumper – Big Cypress Barrel Racing: Ashley Parks – Davie Bull Riding: Kelton “Kdawg” Smedley – Brighton Also going to Las Vegas: Calf Roping: Justin Gopher – Brighton Lady’s Breakaway: Leanna Billie – Brighton Other results included: Jr. Breakaway Cisco Rodriguez – Hollywood; Josie Louis – Montana Jr. Barrel Racing: Budha Jumper – Big Cypress, Jacee Jumper – Brighton Jr. Bull Riding: Cisco Rodriguez – Hollywood, Norman Osceola – Brighton Sr. Breakaway Roping: Ed Harry – Nevada, Norman Johns – Brighton Sr. Team Roping: Jeff Johns, Norman Johns – Brighton Blevyns Jumper tackles his target during EIRA competition in Brighton. Jumper was the year end winner in steer wrestling. (Keith Lovejoy/Keith Lovejoy Photography) Leanna Billie competes in Lady’s Breakaway at the EIRA regionals. (Keith Lovejoy/Keith Lovejoy Photography) Mindy Fish competes in the EIRA competition Sept. 16-17 in Brighton. (Keith Lovejoy/Keith Lovejoy Photography) EIRA year end winners Naha Jumper and Josh Jumper team up for a takedown in team roping in Brighton. (Keith Lovejoy/Keith Lovejoy Photography) Justin Gopher makes quick work of this calf during roping competition in Brighton. (Keith Lovejoy/Keith Lovejoy Photography) Loretta Peterson and her horse cruise past a barrellduring the EIRA regionals. Peterson was a sudden death winner. (Keith Lovejoy/Keith Lovejoy Photography) Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share
