Kolby KickinWoman ICT

LAS VEGAS – The broncs and bulls were buckin’ Tuesday as Native cowboys and cowgirls showed why they are among the best rodeo athletes in the world on Day One of the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the event draws athletes from all around Indian Country to Las Vegas to compete for gold buckles and world championships. They come from north of the Medicine Line to the southwest, Oregon to Florida and everywhere in between.

Likewise, the fans.

Some are veterans, attending Indian Country’s biggest rodeo year after year. Others, like Hannah Joy Fleury, made the trek for the first time.

Fleury, Tlingit and Haida, flew in from Alaska to the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas for her first INFR experience. She said it was fun and exciting, citing bull riding as her favorite event of both the afternoon and evening performances.

Hannah Joy Fleury represents her Alaska roots at the Indian Finals National Rodeo (Kolby KickingWoman, ICT)

“Eight seconds is the longest eight seconds in the world, it’s fun,” Fleury told ICT. “I’m like, ‘What do you mean they gotta stay on eight seconds?’”

When asked what she thought goes through a bull rider’s mind before the chute opens, she figured it was pretty simple.

“Hang on!” she said.

On the other end of that spectrum, Terry Tatsey, Blackfeet, has been in attendance since the INFR moved to Las Vegas 18 years ago. His first Indian finals was back in 1986 when it was hosted at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He competes in the senior championship division these days.

Contestants line up prior to the Day 1 evening performance at the Indian National Finals Rodeo at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Oct. 13, 2026 (Kolby KickingWoman, ICT)

The biggest change over the years, he said, has not only been the number of spectators who take in the rodeo but also the level of competition.

“A lot of the contestants that are in the PRCA [Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association] right now have used this venue as a way to establish themselves in their career, and then they move on to the professional and even compete at the National Finals Rodeo,” Tatsey said.

While he enjoys watching all aspects of rodeo, he enjoys the timed events – as that is what he competes in – as well as the team events because of the horsemanship involved.

“It goes back to a lot of our old culture,” Tatsey told ICT. “Our people trained horses, buffalo running horses or horses for moving camp, so that relationship and communication between horse and rider is always good to watch.”

The Fort Belknap Indian Community and Blackfeet Nation tribal flags being carried during the Parade of Tribal Nation Flags during the evening performance on day 1 of the Indian National Finals Rodeo (Kolby KickingWoman, ICT)

Norma Wauneka, Navajo, is a former competitor turned spectator. Her daughter, Justine Begay is a former INFR World Champion who also took first place in Round 1 of the Ladies Breakaway event.

Watching her daughter rope is the highlight of Norma’s INFR week and she also enjoys seeing old friends she’s made on the rodeo circuit over the years.

“With rodeo, you meet people all over the country, and you have friends, like I said, from Florida to Canada,” Wauneka said. “If I didn’t do rodeo, I wouldn’t have met those friends and lifetime friends, and they’re great. It’s like family. Rodeo’s family. When you meet somebody, you know, they take care of you.”

Let ‘er buck: Indian National Finals Rodeo celebrating 50 years

The day wrapped with an awards ceremony, with winners being presented golden belt buckles to commemorate their day one victories.

The official full results came in as follows:

Bareback
1 Ty Ferguson – 81
2/3 Will Demontigny – 77
2/3 Clay Ramone – 77
4/5 Wyatt Betony – 75
4/5 Steven Dewolfe – 75
6 Lucas Yellowhawk –  74

Steer Wrestling
1 Joe Wilson – 3.81 seconds
2 Brock Belkham – 3.95 seconds
3 Dakota Lewis – 4.62 seconds
4 Shane Day Chief – 4.99 seconds
5 Kyle Smith – 5.73 seconds
6 Rooster Yazzie – 5.81 seconds
7 Arlan Minue – 5.82 seconds
8 Dontre’ Goff – 5.91 seconds

Ladies Breakaway
1 Justine Begay – 1.80 seconds
2 Kylee Jo Washakie – 2.36 seconds
3 Carli Jones – 2.60 seconds
4 Rawlinda Ben – 2.75 second
5 Kadin Jodie – 2.92 seconds 
6 Audrey Fish – 3.30 seconds 
7 Abilene McGee – 4.19 seconds 
8 Bailey Bates –  4.51 seconds

Saddle Bronc
1/2 Jackson Ford –  82 
1/2 Kash Deal – 82
3/4 Cash Wilson – 80
3/4 Creighton Curley – 80 
5 Cole Elshere – 78  
6 Stade Riggs – 76

Tie Down Roping  
1 Brock Belkham – 9.15 seconds 
2 Lowrey Bruce – 10.78 seconds
3 Dean Holyan – 11.13 seconds
4 Spencer Whipple – 11.32 seconds
5 Nolan Conway – 11.60 seconds
6 Dalton Porch – 12.03 seconds
7 Dennison Boone – 12.07 seconds
8 Collin Johnson – 12.25 seconds

Team Roping
1 Kesley Phillips / Clay Gunshows – 5.66 seconds
2 Wawa Ben / Brandon Ben – 5.83 seconds
3 Drew Harper / Jess Harper – 6.21 seconds 
4 Erich Rogers / Aaron Tsinigine – 6.34 seconds 
5 Nolan Conway / Wyatt Gibson – 6.38 seconds 
6 Jay Guerrero / Chance Guerrero – 6.44 seconds 
7 Jace Bishop / John Bell – 6.76 seconds 
8 Josh Jumper / Dakota Louis – 7.77 seconds

Ladies Barrel Racing
1 Paige Dale – 15.660 seconds 
2 Kaylee Barker – 15.795 seconds
3 Shantell Brewer – 15.906 seconds
4 Faith Anna Jesus – 15.913 seconds 
5 Quinley Inman – 15.946 seconds
6 Tiffany Teehee – 15.961 seconds 
7 Carli Jones – 15.983 seconds 
8 Yvette Vega – 15.997 seconds

Bull Riding
1 Latrell Long – 85
2 Trent Harrison – 84.5
3/4 Ralph Gray Jr III – 77
3/4 Chazz Gabe – 77
5 Jacauy Hale – 75
6 Jacob David – 56

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