Spotlight on Kayenta

The Kayenta 4th of July Rodeo is expecting a large crowd for this week's celebration.

With top pro Indian rodeo contestants schedule to compete this weekend and with plenty at stake with payouts and an automatic bid to the International Indian Finals Rodeo, rodeo coordinator J.J. Young is excited.

"For the last 17 years we've been named rodeo of the year," Young said. "It doesn't get any better than that. We're one of the top shows on the Navajo Nation in terms of putting on something like this.

"We have a little over $27,000 for added money, which is doubled from last year," Young said. "We have cowboys from everywhere. In fact, we have entries from Canada, from Montana and all over. This year we'll have the highest entries in many years. It's good to have the top contestants here."

The increases are due to Navajo Nation officials doing away with the annual PRCA rodeo and youth fair in Window Rock, which in the past has drew attention away from Kayenta's holiday celebration.

"We're very optimistic for this year," Young said. "Our goal in the past has actually been to try and compete with Window Rock, which I feel like we were successful. And besides, not a lot of people get to the Window Rock rodeo, so this was kind of an appetizer.

"We're honored and privilege to have this on the Navajo Nation and for the people," Young said.

As for contestants, Young says only best are competing.

"Since we're the only rodeo on the Navajo Nation, we're pretty much going to have the best of the elite contestants out here," Young. "You only get to see them at the Navajo Nation Fair and, with this, you get to see them half way from now until then."

With over 600 contestants, Young said well-known names include Kassidy Dennison, the Bates brothers, Garrison Begay and Guyton Tsosie, all of whom have won all-around titles before.

"We have the short-go on Sunday and that's something to watch because you get to see the best contestants come out that night and compete," Young said.

"There's a lot at stake this year," he said. "They not only want to win the championship saddle but they also get and automatic berth to this year's International Indian Finals Rodeo in Farmington in October. That's something worth looking at. We're part of the wild card sponsor event with IIFR and that's what attracted some the best contestants here."

Young also the facilities have been upgraded and improved.

He said that he expects an increase in attendance because of newly installed bleachers that can seat 1,000 more people.

"Last year we had about 1,200 attend and they stood along the arena rails and that didn't stop them from coming, but this year, we're looking at an increase in attendance," Young said.

Also this weekend will be celebrations of the 100 years since Kayenta was founded, with a song and dance, fireworks, events for youth, daily free pancake breakfasts and a powwow.

"We're all excited about this weekend," Young said. "We couldn't have done it without all the support we're getting from our sponsors and our communities. We have a lot of people volunteering, especially from our youths."

To kick off the rodeo, the "Beauty and the Best" competition was held on Tuesday. The event included young contestants in barrel racing and bull riding.

"It was something that we could give back to the youth," Young said. "We had over 1,000 contestants in that event."

The all-Indian pro rodeo will be held nightly at 7:30 p.m., starting tonight, and will conclude on Sunday with the finals with top finishers vying for an extra $3,000 payout.

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