Brothers shine at IRCA finals

Page R3

A strong continent of veterans, youth and new faces will be representing the Indian Rodeo Cowboy Association at the Indian National Finals Rodeo at Rapid City, SD, Oct. 27-30.

The IRCA Rodeo Finals held here at the Memorial Agriplex during the Thanks-giving week-end, determined the two finalists to go to the INFR after four rounds of competition.

The year-end champions were declared by total points over 10 rodeos for the 1994 season and got the first seat to the finals. The second representative in all the major events sent to the finals champions here, on total money won in each event over four performances.

The three-day rodeo provided top-notch, exciting action from start to finish. Blackfoot cowboy Allison Red Crow came to the finals pumped up and put on an outstanding performance in capturing the year-end and finals championships, with year-end total points of 326, and winning $990 in the bareback event.

This will be Red Crow's first INFR and he was thrilled with the finals results.

"I knew going in I had to just give it all and get good draws every round. This is a dream come true for me, ever since I started in the steer riding event some 15 years ago. Everything just went right, and I hope I can come home with a world championship," he commented.

Allison also picked up an extra $445 in the bull riding, making him the top money winner at $1,425. Kelsey Chief Moon was second to Allison at the finals and will also be going to the INFR in the bareback event.

Eighteen year old Tyler Little Bear from Standoff, a student at Kanai High School, put it all together to capture the finals championship in the bull riding event. The diminutive toro twister dominated the event, sticking like glue to all the bulls he rode. Little Bear won $1,240, the most money won in a single event, winning two goes and placing second twice.

"I'm just thrilled to make my first INFR finals. I drew some of the top bulls and just went all out on all of them and it paid off for me," he said.

Year-long leader Lorne Bell from Peigan hung on to his lead to end the season with 297 points and his third trip to the INFR.

Two veteran calf ropers who have been to the world finals before, will be taking aim at a world title.

Standoff's Robert Bruised Head won the year-end title with 189 points, while Ken Augare of Browning, Montana, won the finals title with total winnings of $800.

A tough pen of steers gave fits to the steer wrestling contestants, but this event produced the most exciting of the finals as a run-off was held to determine the finals champion.

Clarence Black Water Jr. won the year-end title, moving from third to first with 180 points. He and rodeo manager Brian Many Grey Horses were tied in total money won at $800 each, so a run-off was held to see who would win the championship buckle.

Bryon Bruised Head won the year-end, all around and saddle bronc champion-ships, and is no stranger to the INFR, making his first appearance in 1982 at the age of 16 years. He qualified for the finals in all three riding events, but due to injuries entered only the saddle bronc events.

Max Big Throat, a veteran for some 15 years, will be making his first trip to the finals after winning the saddle bronc finals with total winnings of $1,035.

In the barrel racing events, two Standoff cowgirls will make the trip south. Jackie Black Water won the year-end title with 260 points, while Lisa Jo Creighton won the finals with total winnings of $950.

The junior barrel racing provided the tightest race of all. Janey Day Chief held a five point lead over Beck Jo Fox heading into the finals, but Fox came out the winner, taking the year-end title with 460 points, and was the finals winner with total winnings of $617. Both junior events are excluded from the INFR finals.

The ladies' breakaway roping, an added event to the INFR for the past five years, will see both Barb Regan of Babb, Montana, and Tammy Dodging Horse of Sarcee going to Rapid City.

Chute Chatter

Thanks to the rodeo committee headed by Brian Many Grey Horses and Dolly Creighton for putting on one heck of a show...Shade & Sons and Bob Wilson supplied the rodeo stock, judges were Dake Helgerson and Bob Wilson...Besides the odd injuries, Charlie Shade was the most serious after his horse banged him against the fence knocking him cold, Charles is still in hospital recovering from head injuries, a speedy recovery for him...See you all at Rapid City.