A year ago the Eastern Indian Rodeo Association brought back a few first place finishers from the Indian National Finals Rodeo when Jacoby Johns (bareback riding) and Naha Jumper and Josh Jumper (team roping) won the short-go rounds.

This year the EIRA came back empty-handed from Las Vegas in October as none of its riders won rounds or championships, but there were a few close calls.

Johns had consistently strong performances in each of the first three rounds. He finished in the top five in all three, including second place in round two when he had a score of 79. He entered the final day in second place overall, but had a no score in the short-go and finished sixth overall with a score of 233 and three head.

Johns’ sixth place showing was the top finish among EIRA men.

Dayne Johns started strong in steer wrestling with a sizzling time of 5.06 seconds in the first round, good enough for second overall in the round, a fraction of a second behind Clint Bruised Head. Johns ended up finishing 27th overall.

Jobe Johns finished 17th overall in calf roping. His best time came in the round two with a time of 10.13, good enough for third place in the round.

Also in calf roping, Naha Jumper finished 26th overall. His top time also came in round two at 11.71 seconds, which was 14th in the round. He was 17th in short-go at 22.02.

Naha and his brother Josh weren’t able to duplicate last year’s success in team roping. They finished 27th overall.

The team of Justin Gopher and Connor Osborn was 31st overall in team roping. Their best performance came in round two with a time of 11.84, which was the 15th fastest time of the day.

Norman Osceola competed in bull riding and did not record any points.

On the women’s side, Ashley Parks generated EIRA’s top showing with fourth overall in ladies barrel racing. Her times were: 15.75, 11th place in round 1; 15.660, 4th place in round 2; no time round in round 3; 15.461, 7th place in short-go.

Fellow EIRA member McKenzie Bowers also had a solid EIRA as she posted times in all three rounds. She finished 21st overall.

Ahnie Jumper competed in ladies breakaway roping. The Florida Gulf Coast University softball player finished 32nd overall. Her best time came in round three at 12.37, which placed her 17th in the round.

EIRA’s top performers in the Junior portion were Jaylee Wilcox in junior barrels and Norman Osceola in junior bull riding. Both finished sixth overall in their events.

Other EIRA youth who competed at INFR included Canaan Jumper (junior breakaway roping) and Justin Gopher Jr. (junior bull riding).

Norman Johns and Jeff Johns teamed up in senior team roping; Norman also competed in senior breakaway roping.