Kody Lostroh Takes Round One In Atlanta

The PBR started their 2008 season in Atlanta ,Ga tonight.Actually they were just outside of it in Duluth rather than the  at Atlanta's Georgia Dome  this year. Justin McKee and Michael Gaffney opened the show; and they make a good team.Leah Garcia looks great per usual and her first guest World Champion Justin McBride was in good spirits although he  hates having to sit out  6 months. Justin would like to come back early but is going to abide by whatever Tandy tells him.Leah asked Justin which riders he felt would be in the lead when he returns to action and Justin said he expects it to be Guilherme Marchi and J.B.Mauney.I disagree.I think it will be a close five way race between Adriano Moraes,Wiley Petersen,Mike Lee,Mike White and Chris Shivers with Sean Willingham,J.B. and Guilherme a little ways behind the leaders.

As for Sean ,he told Leah his main goal is to be number one  but  his immediate goal is to stay on more short round bulls. Bucking off of them was his downfall last season.

McKennon Wimberley was the first man out and made the first qualified ride of the season for 81.50 aboard Apache who spun to the right in a flat,sluggish spin.

Zack Brown who sits number 4 in the CBR bucked off of his bull and hung up.Zack had been riding really well till now.I expect to see him score  tomorrow.

Red Chester bucked Tyler Pankewitz off while Gas To Go faked left then went right to throw Billy Robinson off. Travis Briscoe looked great aboard Dip Dog who spun to the left into Travis' hand as Travis remained centered and on his rope while spurring.He took an early lead with 86.50.

Red Carpet bucked off Cole Taylor quickly but Dozer could not do the same to Mighty Mike White.It sure was good to see Mike healthy and riding well.Mike  remained centered  as Dozer spun to the right into his hand; but got a little out of shape at the end  and scored 85.25Oh give me the old half point system!I have never liked this change.I do not like the new  pick your bull system being introduced at the three day events.I think its unfair.What's next-allowing the riders to score their own rides.Come on. This is dumb!And so is the proposed season change.Ok,Everyone from the PBR has always known I always speak my mind;and my mind normally reflects what the fans tell me.Kind of "a word to the wise."

I don't know what the problem was with Black Fate but LJJenkins was given the option of a reride  as he climbed out of the chute.Fortunately Jason Bennett made a clean get away from Smash Hit when he came off the bull at 7.4 when the bull spun away from his hand to the left.

Nick Landreneau rode Cruel Dude for 85.5 as the bull circled right away from Nick's hand then went forward then faked left.Scary Deal was a dud as he took five  loping leaps forward then spun to the left. Tyler  Smith came off  then but the bull only scored 39.75.

Manlaw,a small bull with lots of kick spun to the right into Steven Shelley's hand then reversed left.Steven scored 85.75

Cord McCoy got the option of a reride as Cadillac Jack had a bad trip.The bull took two leaps out then jumped backwards before going into a flat ,right spin away from Cord's hand.

Deviled Egg did a quick fake left and right to toss Silvanei Dias off but Tony Mendes looked  good aboard Git r Done who spun to the right away from Tony's hand for 84 points.

Larry the Cable Guy could only be the one to come up with the name Eaten Britches.Don't let it fool you.he's a good bull.He bucked off Australian Jared Farley right away.

Welcome back Chris Shivers! Love his smile and his style.Chris made a good ride on Ranger who spun to the right away from Chris' hand with lots of travel and belly kicks.Chris scored 86.5 because of his riding style.In his interview with Leah ,Chris seemed to have his head in the right place as he is there to do what he loves-ride.He's not thinking about the money .And he made me laugh when he said that he wished Justin McKee would keep his mouth shut.Chris is a card.

Reese Cates disqualified as Rocky Top spun to the left  and Reese slapped him.Ned Cross was holding his riding arm after coming off of Turn Signal Tom who spun around to the right.Austin Meier didn't fare well as Little Tan Jacket took two leaps out faking left then right to buck Austin off.Valderon Oliviera got a reride when Deuces II just took long lunges out and went first around to the left away from Oliviera's hand then bucked straight down the middle of the arena.With a score of 54  you know he took the reride option.

I don't know why the same option was not offered to Clayton Williams as Full Circle rolled out with a fake left and was all over the place.Clayton only scored 76.75 and it seemed to be the bull's fault.

Congratulations to Ross Coleman who is anticipating the birthof his first son.His wife Amy will undergo induced labor next week unless Cooper surprises both mom and dad and decides to be a New Year's baby.Ross will miss the NYC event due to this. Ross scored 83 tonight aboard Cheap Trip who spun to the left away from Ross' hand then reversed to the right into it before jumping out.ross described the bull as"a nice little spinner."Brother Jake got Greg Potter off to the outside as  the bull faked right then spun left away from Greg's hand fast. Cliffhanger  took one leap out then spun right into Mark Lopes hand to get Mark leaned back and off.

Luke Snyder scored 86.50 to enter a three way tie for the lead  when he rode  Hornet for 86.50. Hornet took two leaps straight out then spun right into Luke's hand while Luke spurred aggresively.Meanwhile Missfire  did a quick fake left then right to toss Chad Denton off.Harve Stewart fell victim to Hillstreet who spun to the right into Harve's hand, getting him down into the well. Meanwhile Black Ghost tossed Dustin Elliott out the back door.

Wiley Petersen looked great aboard Hot Pistol.He was picture perfect with great free arm actionas the bull spun to the right away from Wiley's hand with lots of kick.Wiley scored 88 to take the lead and received his Enterprise bonus of $5000.

Cord McCoy took his reride aboard Sleepy who took one leap out then faked left before spinning right away from Cord's hand in a fast spin for 83.25.Valderon Oliviera was disqualified as his reride bull took two leaps out then spun to the left.Oliviera grabbed his rope.Dustin Hall flew out the back door as FogHorn took two long leaps out  then a 1/2 spin to the right before jumping out  of the spin to reverse left.Physical education spun away from Beau Hill's hand to get him off early.

It was good to see Mike Lee back in form.Lil' J ,a small bull, spun left into Mike's hand and Mike made the ride look too easy as he scored 84.75.Gambler spun to the right away from Renato Nunes' hand to buck Nunes off.

And then it was Adriano Moraes' turn.He looks great and is a force to be reckoned with this year. The bull took a big leap out and stumbled but Adriano never faltered.The bull spun to the rightaway from Adriano's hand then reversed left into it with belly rolls.Adriano scored 85.75 and in his interview with Leah he said he was there to have fun but this might be his last hurrah.His head is in the right place and I sure hope he makes this number 4.

El Gato spun to the right away from Kasey Hayes' hand after bucking  in place three times with elevation. Kasey score 86.75 Brian Canter rode Platinum for 83 as the bull took three jumps  out then spun to the left into his hand.As Brian hit the ground the bull stepped on his riding arm . Leah said Tandy said it was bruised and he strapped it. Far West threw brendon Clark out the back door at 3.3 while Paolo Crimber got a reride option when MVP II had a terrible trip.The bull circled left away from Paolo's hand  with a loping gait  and no upwards kick, just some belly kicking.

Sean Willingham scored 82.50 aboard El Patron who took two wild leaps followed by a half spin to the left away from Sean's hand then reversed right into Sean's hand.

Cut The Card's made a half turn left and Matt Bohon hit the dirt.

Kody Lostroh rode Dark Side for 88.50  to take the lead  as the bull took one leap out then spun left into Kody's hand with lots of travel.Kody remained centered  with good free arm motion.

Robson Palermo  scored 86.75 on Thrillville who spun  left into his hand while covering lots of distance.

Paolo took his reride aboard Devil Dog who spun to the right into his hand then reversed left while scoring 86.25.J.B.Mauney rode the new Coyote Ugly for 81.75.The bull is not even close to the old Coyote Ugly we were used to seeing as he spun left into JB's hand  with not much timing then jumpe dout of it and circled left.J B looked out of shape a lot.Not a pretty ride.Last out was Guilherme Marchi on Friday Night who spun to the right into his hand slowly then jumped out of the spin with out much action. Guilherme scored  82.25.

Kody Lostroh won the event.He's my type of rider in that he is not out for the glory  of the Gold Buckle or the money but he's loving  what he is doing.He's having fun riding  and if he does win the World then its an extra.He's concentrating on riding each and every bull.

I want to let everyone know that Justin McBride is not the only one who had to undergo shoulder surgery.Tandy operated on Evan Rasch yesterday so please wish him well too. Like Justin,Evan will be out for 6 months.Cory Rasch is riding touring pro events and you can see him on January 4th in Louisville,KY and Jan.5 in Jackson,TN.Meanwhile Jody Newberry and Mike Collins fans can catch them at the last three NABA events of the season; and at the NABA Finals in Memphis,TN.

Atlanta continues tomorrow night on Versus while  the next event is Madison Square Garden

Tags: PBR results

I'm Back

Sorry I have been away so long but i am building my own news web site ; and not being a computer whiz its taking awhile. I promise to update the World Finals reports for the INFR,ABA,PRCA and PBR plus the last CBR  event in Jackson,MS and update everyone on the NABA.I also have a piece I am working on about the Virgin Births of Buffalo.I  do promise to get tonight's results from the PBR's  first round out now.They were in Atlanta,GA as their first event  in Ohio was canceled.

Please Aid Porcupine Clinic At Pine Ridge

Porcupine Clinic Needs Your Help

 by Sheila Totten

Once again my fellow NAJA journalist Steffi Schwartz has alerted me about a major problem at Pine Ridge that needs immediate attention; and takes  me away from reporting on rodeo and bullriding momentarily so for the ABA and PBR fans awaiting the reports please bear with me while I address this important issue. I hope in this season of giving many readers will read this and find it in their hearts to help the Lakota people and this wonderful clinic out.

Pine Ridge is the home of The Porcupine Clinic,named for the district it is in in S.D. It is the only independent Indian run clinic in the country and receives no aid or benefits from the  Federal Indian Health Services. As winter approaches ,the clinic  currently has no money for the needed propane deliveries for heat.This much needed clinic  has had to close its doors for lack of funds and this is a crime. So many elders and sick people  depend upon it but without propane  there is nothing else that can be done.

The clinic serves not only the reservation but the entire Porcupine district where it is located.Many people are treated free  especially elders and children while others are  treated on a sliding scale.Porcupine is 15 years old and has a Dialysis unit  that is 3 years old.Lives depend on this unit.We must do something to help.

Let me explain something about the size of Pine Ridge. It  is estimated at 2.7 million square acres or11,000 square  miles of territory.From the remote areas where Porcupine is located to the IHS  Hospital at Pine Ridge itself is  a 100 mile drive. patients needing dialysis three times /week just cannot  travel that distance.And what of emergencies? The IHS hospital can't treat all the patients needing dialysis;and the next closest hospital is in Rapid City which is 120 miles away. Walk a mile in the mocassins of the people affected here.Stop and think for a moment of what you would do if the help you need to stay alive was taken away from you. Basically  this is what has happened here. Even if its just $5, I ask you to help bring heat to the Porcupine Clinic. You would be saving lives.Many of the people who have no heat in their substandard homes come to the clinic daily to stay warm so it really serves a dual purpose.With the doors closed pneumonia  along with flu and other life threatening illnessescould run rampant there as winter sets in. Please read on and help bring heat to Porcupine. And if you are a rodeo or bull riding promoter maybe you could do a benefit for  the people this clinic serves.They are in need of all the help they can get.Thank you and please continue on to Stephi's article below.

Porcupine Clinic Out of Heat<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

By Stephanie M. Schwartz, Freelance Writer

Member, Native American Journalists Association

October 26, 2007  Firestone, Colorado

 

Porcupine Clinic, located in the small community of Porcupine, South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota [Sioux] Reservation is out of heat.  According to Stella White Eyes, Administrative Assistant for the Clinic, the Clinic has closed its doors until it can find resources to fund their heating costs.

 

Porcupine Clinic is the only independent Indian community-controlled health clinic in the United States.  It is not connected with the Federal Indian Health Services (IHS) program and is funded primarily by grants and donations.  Unfortunately, those resources have become exceptionally rare this year.

 

Porcupine Clinic opened its doors in 1992 and serves the entire Reservation as well as the Porcupine District in which it is located.  Patients are billed according to their ability to pay and many patients, including low-income Elders and children, receive free health care there.

 

In 2004, the Porcupine Clinic opened its dialysis unit, saving countless lives of those diabetic patients who couldnot journey 120 miles away to Rapid City for needed dialysis treatment several times a week.  The only other dialysis treatment available on the 11,000 square mile (2.7 million acres) Reservation is located in the small IHS Hospital in the community of Pine Ridge.  But that facility hosts only a handful of dialysis beds, is up to 100 miles away from the more remote areas of the Reservation, and is completely unable to treat the vast need of the entire Reservation.

 

Recent statistics state that the diabetes rate on Pine Ridge is 800% that of the National average and the life expectancy rate is 52 to 58 years old.  It is said that 55% of the adults on Pine Ridge over the age of 40 have diabetes.

 

Ms. White Eyes states that the Clinic has been unable to pay their annual propane tank rental fees of $245 (for both the Clinic and dialysis unit tanks) or for the propane to fill them.  They have three tanks: a thousand gallon tank which services the main clinic and two five hundred gallon tanks servicing the dialysis unit.  The minimum propane delivery from their provider, Western Cooperative (WESTCO) out of Chadron and Hay Springs, Nebraska, is $360.

 

If all the tanks were filled, at $1.69 per gallon, it would cost well over $3,000.  Further, that will need to happen more than once this winter.  While the dialysis unit helps to fund at least part of its own propane use, the Clinic is out of funding now, just as winter is approaching fast.

 

Harvey Iron Boy, Porcupine District Vice President and Head Man, spoke of the vital role that the Clinic plays in the local district as well as the Reservation as a whole.  Not only are the health care services, bi-lingual assistance, diabetic education, anddialysis treatments all meeting critical needs on the Reservation but there are more basic needs met by the Clinic as well.  He pointed out that locals often come into the Clinic simply to get warm on days when they have no heat in their own homes.

 

Ms. White Eyes has contacted various non-profits and assistance organizations but has largely gone unanswered.  Link Center Foundation, a small all-volunteer non-profit organization out of Longmont, Colorado, was contacted this week and was also unable to help.  With their own heating assistance program for the elders and disabled on the Reservation struggling due to lack of donations, there simply was no funding available to help the Clinic.

 

However, Audrey Link, Founder/President of the Link Center Foundation (www.LinkCenterFoundation.org), personally paid the $245 out of her own pocket for the annual tank rental fees for the Porcupine Clinic and dialysis unit on Friday.  Largely retired and on limited income herself, Link stated that “She couldn’t go to sleep tonight if she thought the dialysis patients and Clinic were going to lose their propane tanks.  At least now, if they can raise any money at all elsewhere, they can use the money for propane to fill them.”

 

Anyone wishing to donate towards propane fuel for the Porcupine Clinic may do so directly to the propane company.  Please contact:

Loretta at Western Cooperative (WESTCO)

170 Bordeaux St – Chadron, NE 69337-2342

Call Toll Free 800-762-9906

Credit Card and Bank Card donations by phone will be accepted.  Small donations are also welcome and will accumulate until the minimum delivery has been reached and then the company will makea delivery of propane to the Clinic.  Please clearly mark any donation “For Porcupine Clinic.”

 

Donations may also be sent directly to the Clinic.  For more information, please contact:

Porcupine Clinic

Stella White Eyes, Administrative Assistant

P.O. Box 99 – Porcupine, SD 57772

Internet Information: http://www.lakotamall.com/porcupine/

Phone:  605-867-5655

Note:  Due to lack of heat, there may or may not be anyone available to answer the phone at the Clinic at this time.  Please leave a message.

 

Stephanie M. Schwartz may be reached at SilvrDrach@Gmail.com

Visit other writings of Stephanie M. Schwartz at  www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com

 

This article may be reprinted, reproduced, and/or re-distributed unedited with proper attribution and sourcing for non-profit, educational, news, or archival purposes.

Tags: Indian issues

Statement From Michael Hicks, Principal Chief Of The Eastern Cherokee nation

Intro by Sheila Totten

Recently , Asheville,NC's councilman Carl Mumpower made some very derogatory statements about  the Eastern Cherokee.This man who is running for office in the area  which would make the members of the Eastern Cherokee Nation  and their employees his constituents obviously must be unaware that Cherokee people vote! Maybe he is just wanting to alienate potential constituents so that he will lose the election.I do not know .I take offense at his remarks and  pity the current constituents this man represents because of his prejudiced remarks. I have visited his election site(he is a candidate for Congress) and read  his words. This is a Republican running as an independant who follows his own guidelines. He  contradicts himself about Iraq. Bottom line is he has tried to paint the Eastern Cherokee nation not as a Sovereign Nation but as a special interest group only.  Here is the rebuttal to Mumpower from Chief Michael Hicks, and I am proud to place it here.

Eastern Band of Cherokee is and will remain a sovereign nation


by Michell Hicks


published October 22, 2007 12:15 am


As the Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I felt compelled to respond to the recent disturbing press release issued by Asheville Councilman Carl Mumpower belittling our Nation as a special-interest group.

Mumpower would not be the first American politician advocating for the destruction of our tribe and for the dissolution of our rights to exist as a distinct Nation.

Many advocate for our demise out of ignorance about our historic government-to-government relationship with the United States.

Look at history

First and foremost our Nation existed in this land long before Europeans and then Euro-Americans sought to establish themselves as sovereigns.

Our people peacefully sought diplomatic relations with the governments of England and France long before there was an American government, and so it was that the new United States recognized our right to continue to exist as a distinct Nation.

This sovereign right was established nearly 200 years ago, not just with the rise of our ability to legally operate a gaming enterprise.

We will fight until the bitter end to maintain and defend our sovereignty, no matter what the circumstance.

Field still not level

I do, however, agree with Mumpower that the current playing field is uneven.

Thank goodness someone finally understands that.

We have not been on a level playing field for the 200 years of our relationship with the United States.

Our people have historically been among the most destitute in the country, and we have worked tirelessly to provide our people with opportunities that many other Americans take for granted.

Our Tribe continues to avail ourselves of federal grant money, which is available to many communities. It is our right as citizens to do so.

What is most disturbing about Mumpower’s view is that he so readily dismisses the rights of those constituents he hopes to represent.

Is he so dismissive of our ability to operate a business within the legal limits of the law that he would accuse our people of being corrupt?

Jealous of success?

If our business is so “counterproductive to the interests of Western North Carolina,” why are we one of the largest employers west of Asheville?

Why are we the most visited destination in North Carolina?

Is it that Mumpower has no idea of the huge unemployment rates prior to the opening of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel, or is it that he doesn’t care about the constituents in the counties that provide the majority of our work force?

I think Mumpower would better serve this district if he actually knew who he wants to represent west of Buncombe County.

Michell Hicks is Principal Chief, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

Tags: Indian News

The CBR Bull Bash In Longview ,TX

               

Logan Knibbe Aboard Deuce Bigalo

 Logan Knibbe Tops The Field In Longview, TX

Pictures by Teri Lann

by Sheila Totten

As the temperature dropped in Longview, TX the excitement grew; and the fans were on the edges of their seats in this SRO There were even fans crowded around us where photographer Teri Lann and I were working by the arena fence. What a crowd!

. As the race for the event title went down to the wire the excitement grew. When the dust had finally cleared it was Stephenville, TX’s Logan Knibbe who won his first event title. CBR President, 4X World Champion Tuff Hedeman presented Logan with his winner’s check and Resistol hat; and also interviewed him. Logan told Tuff:” I’ve been waiting a long time to win one of these deals.” Tuff called the winning ride “awesome” which it was.

 Logan rode in the second section of the long go and took the lead with a great looking 89.5 ride aboard Lonnie Brown’s Copan Cat. The bull came out with power, spinning to the left into Logan’s hand with high kicks then reversed right towards the end of the ride. Some of the best four-year-old bulls in the country were here as this was a NBBA Classic event.

Logan held on to his long go lead until Ardie Maier (Twin Lakes, S.D. [which is on the Cheyenne River Reservation]) the 28th rider out made an incredible 91 point ride aboard the Lyndal Hurst/Cody Ohl/Garrett/Dyess bull Carney Man who made a fast spin to the left away from Ardie’s hand with lots of high kicking and power. Ardie, was perfect and exhibited complete control. Ardie went into the championship round in the lead with Logan right behind him.

Logan had his work cut out for him as first Navajo Nation World Champion Bull Rider Spud Jones (Twin Lakes, AZ) took the lead in the short go with a solid ride aboard Double R Bucking Bulls’ Sharp Shooter for 88.5 points. Spud is the first Native American to win a CBR event (Window Rock) and we were rooting for him. There have been many riders who are of Native American descent, but Spud is one from Indian Rodeo who is carving out a name for himself not only there but also in the CBR and the PRCA. The bull spun to the left away from Spud’s hand then jumped out of the spin before reversing to the right into Spud’s hand. In the long go Spud rode Zorro’s number one rated son Derringer for 85.5.Derringer took one leap out of the chute with high kicks before spinning to the right into Spud’s hand in a fast though low spin. Spud was out of position towards the 8 second mark but held on to his rope till the buzzer sounded. Derringer is currently in first place in the NBBA Classics standings for 4 year olds. Spud’s lead of 174 was quickly overcome when Livingston, Alabama’s Luke Kelly rode Scott Burruss’ Georgia Son for 90 points as the bull took one leap out before spinning to the left with lots of power and action. Luke made a textbook ride with good free arm action and high spurring. Luke had come out aboard Ben Brown’s Bee-Be-Gone in the long go who spun to the left away from Luke’s hand with high kicks and it looked like a buck-off but the bull had fouled Luke at the gate throwing him out of position. Luke got the option of a reride and this time the bull took one long leap out before spinning away from Luke’s hand to the left in a low spin. Luke scored 86 so added to his short go’s 90 that gave him 175 on two head and the lead. That held until Muskogee, OK rider Bronson Butcher rode Henry Wilson’s Black Gold in the short go for 88 points. Bronson rode him jump for jump, as the bull spun to the left with high kicks. Butcher is a young rider to watch. He had been called in as an alternative rider for Cody Hancock. Butcher made a good long go ride aboard Dan Duncan’s Big Red for 88.5 points in his first ever CBR event The bull spun to the left into Butcher’s hand then reversed right at the end of the ride. His score of 176.5 on two took over the lead. Logan Knibbe quickly ended that with his ride aboard Alan Murphy’s Deuce Bigalo for 89 points who took two leaps out of the chute before spinning to the right away from Logan’s hand with lots of rear and drop then jumped out of it and bucked straight. Logan had the lead with 178.5 on two head and it was nail-biting time for the fans. Only Ardie Maier remained to ride and he would need 88 points to win. He had drawn Scott Burruss’ Pole Cat who spun to the right into Ardie’s hand then jumped out of the spin and bucked straight before returning to a right spin. It just was not strong enough and Ardie scored 85 to end up third in the event while the long awaited win went to Logan Knibbe.

There were a lot of good bulls in the event with the best four year olds in the country in the NBBA portion of the event. The winning bull was Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo’s Maverick; another of the great young sons of my all time favorite Zorro. Maverick bucked Skeeter Kingsolver off in the long go. I spoke with Chuck Griffith before the event and he pointed out to me which of their bulls are Zorro’s sons. I can relate to Chuck’s pride in these babies as I feel the same way about my own bulls who buck in the ABA To me Zorro is another Blueberry Wine; maybe even better when he comes out with his rear and drop. Then again I am prejudiced as I have three young bulls that come out like Zorro although they are no relation to him.

In the long go Ardie Maier was first while Logan Knibbe finished second. Bronson Butcher was third in the long go while Houma, LA’s Trent Cormier finished fourth with his 87.5 ride aboard Wes Bruce’s Train Robber who is a little spinner with lots of action who spun to the right into Trent’s hand real fast. Pistol Robinson (Burelson, TX) was fifth with 87 points aboard Harlan Robertson’s Rusty who spun to the left into Pistol’s hand with a roll and lots of high kicking. Pistol stayed up front and looked good. He’s currently in first place in the CBR standings. New Bloomfield, MO’s Corey Davis tied for 6th  /7th in the long go with Jena, LA’s Danny McDowell at 86 points. Corey rode Lyndal Hurst’s Rehab who took one leap out then spun to the left into Corey’s hand before jumping out of the spin and bucking straight. Danny rode Terrell Sullivan’s Fat Boy who took one leap forward then spun to the right into Danny’s hand with high kicking while Danny spurred him high. Luke Kelly was 8th in the round with his 85.5 ride aboard Bee-Be-Gone. Luke who finished fourth in the event was #1 in the short go with 90 on Georgia Son while event winner Logan Knibbe was second on Deuce Bigalo. Spud Jones who was fifth in the average was third in the round with his 88.5 on Sharp Shooter while Bronson Butcher who was second in the average was fourth in the round aboard Black Gold. Jarrod Craig who scored 83 in the long go aboard Bryce Cooper’s Chipaway tied for fifth in the short go aboard Alan Murphy’s Buckshot with Danny McDowell aboard Scott Burruss’ Evil Eye with 87 points. Jarrod was 7th in the average while Danny was 6th.Trent Cornier was eight in the average with his 87.5 ride from the long go.

There was so much to see and do this weekend as the event was held in conjunction with Longview Heritage Days. There were autograph signings,vendors,concerts just so much. We saw old friends and met new people .I finally met Alan Murphy and he told me he had just bought Train Robber, Rampage’s Ghost and Mr. Slim from Wes Bruce before the event began. Alan also bought some good bulls from Wes at the Finals and now owns Cherokee Fiddler and Cowboy Cut.

I want to thank Mary Ramos for all her help. That is one hard working woman and I hope to profile her and Scott Davis soon. Scott was a big help to us also and deserves thanks. The fans were lined up Saturday morning at Jack O’ Diamonds Dodge to meet Tuff Hedeman, Matt Baldwin, Layne McCasland.Cody Sousby and Ray Clary.KYFX 105.7 Country was there along with the drum line from the Longview High School Marching band. Danny Tyler Danny and Drew Morning Show) had Teri Lann spin the KYFX  “Spin To Win” wheel but alas, our photographer didn’t win a prize. She did get to take Danny’s picture though and also Barbara Biggs who is with the station. Thanks also to David Carter, the sales manager at Jack O’ Diamonds who allowed us to take pictures for Tanasi Journal there. Teri took some shots of the Drum Line (Adonis Centers, Jonathan Marshall, Shawndell McGee, Kyle Stinson, Cameron Peoples, Daniel Pierce, Orey Love, Rosa Sanchez and Melissa Preston) thanks to assistant director Grant Woodson.The band was there doing a car wash to raise money for a spring break trip to Disney World where they get to march and play in the parade there. Teri got pictures of fans and their heroes including Tuff Hedeman.Thanks also to Eli Lux for watching over us. Eli is one of Tuff’s golf buddies and Teri got a good shot of the two of them together.

For those who wonder where Pam Minnick is her obligations to RFD-TV have kept her away from the CBR broadcasts and she is missed by all but we wish her well with her new position.

Tuff is wearing his CBR credentials on a beautiful piece of beadwork, which was given to him in Gallup.  He is probably the busiest man I have ever seen. He rushes from appearance to appearance, then works behind the chutes making sure everything goes right; and also greets the fans and does the presentation and interview with the winner! I get tired just watching him. It was good to see Andy Stewart .I think he is one of the better announcers in bull riding and rodeo.

It was good to talk with Jody Newberry who is doing well in the CBR.His wife Amanda is currently taking her clinicals and will be done with college soon for all the Bullriding Fans who have missed Amanda’s posts on the lists.

The CBR now has cheerleaders of a sort-the CBR Bull Babes. They were helpful also. I love these outdoor events but maybe one day I will learn that in some places the heat turns to cold temps at night!

It was great to see CBR Founder Terry Williams. To see the big guy looking healthy and wearing that great smile of his was a prayer come true. I give my thanks to Grandfather for that. During intermission they had a miniature bull riding with junior rodeo riders and a calf scramble for the kids. After the event there was a really good country music concert with Rich McCready and his band. I was really impressed with him.

If I have forgotten anyone I sure am sorry. Watch for my interview with Spud Jones, and try and make it to the CBR’s next event in Jackson, MS on November 17th.Teri and I will be there. Hope to see some of our readers there.

 

Tags: Bull Riding, CBR

Pistol Robinson Makes It Two In A Row

Pistol Robinson Wins  The Tuff Hedeman Louisiana Shootout At Bossier City

by Sheila Totten

Pistol Robinson continued his winning ways as he  had a "Grand Slam" at Bossier City. He won the long go,short go and the event as he put together two great rides to edge out Jody Newberry.Pistol is on a roll right now.This is his third event win of the season and his second in a row.Could Longview be a third in a row? Come out there and see.

In the long go Pistol rode the Bruce/Martinez bull 45 Turbo Charger for 90 points during the second section of the long go.The suspense was carried right to the very end of the event as Pistol,having the lead entering the short go was the last to ride.He had to score at least 88 to take the lead over Jody Newberry who had 177 points on two head. Once again it was a Bruce/Martinez bull,Apache Warrior who brought the victory home for Pistol.Pistol scored 92 and the crowd went wild.

Jody Newberry,one of the original CBR riders  came in second with 177 points .He rode the Bruce /Martinez bull 427 Black Mamba for 88 in the long go and  Scott Burruss' White Chocolate for 89 in the short go.Its good to see Jody doing so well.

In the first section of the long go there were three qualified rides.Bonner Bolton scored 87 aboard Harlan Robertson's  King Arthur while Kolt Miller scored 86 aboard Robertson's Pecos.BJ Schumacher scored 84.5 aboard Robertson's Mr.G.

The second section started with Jody Newberry's great ride for 88 points aboard Bruce/Martinez's  Black Mamba only to be eclipsed by Pistol Robinson's great 90 point ride aboard Turbo Charger.He was followed by Danny McDowell's 83.5 ride aboard Alan Murphy's Ghost Road with Seth Reynold's  making the last qualified ride of the section aboard Murphy's Rocky for 85.5.

In the third section between Alan Murphy's,Robbie Herrington's and Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo's bulls it looked like it was going to  the bulls over the cowboys  until Kenny Westrope rode Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo's Quickstart for 83 points.He was followed by Mike Moore who scored 86 on LRR's Moonshine and by Cody White who rode Alan Murphy's Cherokee Fiddler for 87.

Round four began with Vernon Guidry's bulls blanking their riders. Jake Littlefield rode Mutt Neuman'sBlues Man for 81 while Travis Sellers rode Neuman's Mutt for 85.Hmm and I thought our teenage stock contractor friend Marv Littrell of Circle 13 was the only one who named a bull after himself(49% Marvelous Marv).Jay Morrow rode Henry Wilson's red rooster for 87 and Danell Tipton finished the round with 82 on Wilson's Groopy.

The final section of the long go had Howdy Cloud scoring 88.5 aboard Scott Burruss' Brass Apache followed by J.W.Harris aboard Scott Burruss' Windmill for 85.5. Cody Whitney rode  Burruss' One Horn Willie for 84 to end the qualified rides in the long go.

Several of my favorite bulls were in the short go and they blanked their riders.Vernon Guidry's Snuff's Hot Damn,Alan Murphy's  Smokin Joe and Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo's Zorro all had their way with the riders.Cody Whitney was the first to  score  in the round with 88.5 aboard Scott Burruss' Evil Eye giving him 172.5 on two head.He was fourth in the event and third in the short go.B.J.Schumacher scored 75 aboard Harlan Robertson's Graceland to finsih fifth in the short go and fifth in the event with 159.5. Bonner Bolton scored 86 aboard another of my favorite bulls,Vernon Guidry's Dippin XS Energy to finsih fourth in the round and third in the event with 173 on two head. The only other two qualified rides were Newberry and Robinson and we already know where they finished. Pistol Robinson has lengthened his lead in the Crown Royal World Standings while B J Schumacher jumped into second place .

There were several injuries to report.Kolt Miller was ko'd in the chute while trying to mount Harlan Robertson's Solitaire.Kolt was thrown into  the metal frame of the slide gate , taking a bad hit on his head.He was taken to the hospital where all tests thankfully came backnormal but he did sustain a concussion and was held overnight.

CBR bullfighter Sid McKissick had a bad wreck when a bull slammed him into an arena wall.He was also taken to the hospital  and had a trauma team work on him all night.He had 5 broken ribs,a pneumothorax and a bruised lung. Sid stayed in the ICU overnight and was moved to a regular room on Sunday where he will remain under observation for his lung status.

I hope to have a full report for everyone next week as I will be at the CBR's Longview ,TX event.If you canpossibly ge tthere,this is going to be a great event and a really fun time for families.Hope to see you there.

Tags: Bull Riding News

Utility And Heat Assistance Is Needed On South Dakota Lakota Reservations

Too many people today think that all tribes and nations living on reservations are rich thanks to money from Casino operations,oil leases ,etc, but that is so far from the truth that it is not funny.The once feared and proud Lakota Nation is now among the poorest  of all  in this country which gives aid to illegal immigrants before taking care of its own.Why? Is the government still afraid of the once mighty Lakota? Do they fear the prophecies of the long dead leader and hero Crazy Horse.? It makes me wonder. More than any other tribe or nation it seems as if the federal government has bent over backwards to keep the Lakota downtrodden. Look at the following article by Stephanie M. Schwartz and read about conditions  on the 9 Siouian reservations in South Dakota. The thought of people freezing to death once again because they have no heat  is not the stuff of westerns depicting  conditions of the 1800's but it is fact .It is life! It is what is happening on these reservations;especially Pine Ridge,home to nearly 40,000 Oglala Lakota-the people of Crazy Horse.Look at the figures .Could you live  on $3500 a year?What if Nashville or NYC or Boston or LA had unemployment ranging at 85%?That is the figure for Pine Ridge-well if you are Indian.There are non Lakota towns on the reservations where white people live in comfort. They have work.They have pride .It is the Lakota who do not have this .

People living in urban ghetto areas have better housing than the Lakota where over 60% of the homes are substandard Even the roughest inner city ghetto would not allow legal housing to  be rented without running water or electricity.I am not talking about homeless  living in abandoned buildings .How many illegals live here without running water or electricity? Many Lakota lack both.This is messed up!

Last year before it was known that the FEMA  trailers were toxic  the reservations begged for their use so that elders would not freeze to death but FEMA's director refused them.The trailers had to be moved east in case of winter storms.Funny,I never knew them to move trailers in after a Blizzard or Nor'easter; and I lived through many!Funny also that once they became aware of the toxic problems with the trailers and of the illnesses people living in them along the gulf coast had developed the offer to make them available to Pine Ridge  came about.Reminds me of the genocide  in the old west when blankets from soldiers dying of smallpox and other diseases were distributed along with tainted meat to the reservations. Sorry if I sound bitter.I am not  as I cannot change history but I can ask for help in changing the present. Please read Steph's     article that follows.
For the Lakota Siouxan Elders, the Disabled or the Sick

Who Live On the Reservations of South Dakota

                                                     

2007-2008 is the third winter in which Link Center Foundation has strived to make a difference in the lives of the Elders, disabled, and ill of the South Dakota Lakota Reservations.

 9 Siouxan Reservations in South Dakota:  Pine Ridge Reservation, Cheyenne River Reservation, Crow Creek Reservation, Lower Brule Reservation, Rosebud Reservation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Reservation, Yankton Reservation, Flandreau Santee Reservation, Standing Rock Reservation
Among the poorest indigenous people in the United States.  As example, the average income on the Oglala Lakota Sioux Pine Ridge Reservation is only approximately $3500.00 per YEAR with unemployment hovering around 85% on this 2.7 million acre Reservation housing approximately 35-40,000 people
Over 60% of the homes are severely sub-standard, many without running water or electricity

Winter low temperatures in South Dakota average 9* F (November through February)
Made worse with bitter wind-chill factors and Record Temperatures reaching -44* below 0*F (1996)

Lakota have died from hypothermia due to inability to pay for heating
The majority of funding goes to help the Elders only.  However, there are those occasions when the disabled or sick are in crisis situations and critically in need of heat.  Even though they may not be actual Elders, Link Center Foundation finds it cannot, and will not, turn away from them.  Therefore, this project will now also include those rare and reasonable instances of severe need by those who are disabled and/or sick.
Help Us Help The Elderly,Disbled And Sick
All applicants screened and documented

Payments made directly to utility, propane, wood, or heat equipment companies

Donations carefully tracked and accountable
Link Center Foundation Financial Statements Available for Viewing at

www.LinkCenterFoundation.org

Your donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.  Please consult your tax advisor. 

 

Please mark your check: "Utility and Heating Fund"

Otherwise, all donations will be placed in the General Operating Fund which supports all projects of the organization and operating expenses.Please send donations to:
Link Center Foundation  P.O. Box 2253 ~ Longmont, CO 80502-2253
Or Visit Our Website for Credit or Bank Card Donation at www.LinkCenterFoundation.org

 

This is not spam. You have received this email because of some indication you have given me that you wish to be on my mailing lists. If you no longer wish to be included, simply reply to this email with "Remove" in the subject line. No hard feelings.

-Stephanie M. Schwartz
Freelance Writer www.SilvrDrach.homestead.com
Member, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)

Volunteer, Link Center Foundation www.linkcenterfoundation.org



Tags: Indian News

It Takes A Big Person To Apologize For Dropping The Ball

By Sheila Totten

So many people shift blame for their shortcomings to others that we are always passing the proverbial buck rather than saying.I messed up.I dropped the ball.Taking responsibility for our actions or inactions should be an everyday part of life but to so many its  a "Not me.I would never do that." type of thing.Well,I want to praise my editor at Tanasi Journal,Val  Ohle because her is a woman who can face all of us and say "I really messed up."Val is not afraid to face facts and when she dropped the ball for setting up the Day of Healing she did not pass the buck.She came right out  and said "I did it." The following  paragraphs  contain the letter she sent to all.I also aplaud her for her ideas.She has hit the nail on the head for healing needs to start within each and every one of us.We need to first forgive ourselves for our own shortcomings be they temper tantrums,laziness or other bad habits.Then we need to forgive those who touch our lives  friends and enemies,all our relations .From there we can go on and forgive those who historically trespassed against us.If we let go of the negative energy we feel when we think of Columbus Day or Little Big Horn,Custer,Sherman,etc. and replace that with positive energy the world around us becomes a better place.And just maybe we will see unity and peace. Please read Val's letter and take to heart her ideas.Lets make Monday a true Day of Healing.

Failing a Test of Faith, or Finding a Starting Point?

My Issues, Goals, Improvements, Personal, Projects & Proposals, Issues, Ideas, Perspectives Comments (0)

Last March, I asked the Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs to establish an annual community-wide Day of Healing. It was a grand plan, really. In my head, I saw people gathering across the state to shed themselves of frustrations, fears, animosities, angst, resentments … all those things that keep us divided as a community … in some symbolic gesture.

The commission supported the idea. It was recommended the Day of Healing be set for Columbus Day, also a grand idea. What better day to begin a process of healing ourselves than a day that has inadvertantly caused us so much pain for hundreds of years?

A committee was appointed consisting of me and Ms. Van Lynch, and to which was to be added traditional spiritual elders. Those elders we were aware of were contacted and agreeable to the idea. After that the ball got dropped. Ms. Van didn’t drop it and the elders didn’t drop it.

I did. I let the roadblocks that put themselves in front of me prevent me from moving the project forward. I let political issues absorb my concentration and time. I let everyday life get in the way. I let personal economics stop me.

Key words being “I let.”

It’s easy to make excuses for not feeding the Spirit, not staying centered on Spirit, not putting Spirit first. It happens in all faiths, all spiritualities. Sadly, it happens to the majority of the people. It’s even easy to be faithful in keeping spiritual traditions, but not keep those traditions in a good way.

If someone were to say to me, “Well that never happens to me,” I’d probably tell them they were liars. I’m relatively sure my elders would.

At any rate, “I let” this project fall by the wayside. It would be difficult now, at best, to put together a plan, distribute it out to the public who would then be faced with trying to organize something, inform their local communities and make it happen. To do so would be foisting my mistake onto others. I’m not going to do that.

So here is the 2007 Day of Healing plan:

Since “I” (meaning self, individual) is the one most responsible for “letting” Spirit be pushed aside, the focus of this year’s Day of Healing is “I.” We need to individually heal ourselves before we can ever hope to heal an entire community.

Wherever you are on Columbus Day morning (October 8, 2007), take a moment of time to speak to that highest power you accept as the Creator/Spirit. If you offer, offer. If you send smoke, send smoke. If you kneel, kneel. Whatever your daily ceremony is or should be, make it be, do it.

• Give thanks for a new day and a new opportunity. 
• Give thanks for the blessings you’ve received and recognized.
• Give special thanks for the blessings you’ve received and not recognized.
• Give thanks for your elders, family, friends and community.
• Ask that the day become the first Day of Healing for you, personally.
• Ask Creator for spiritual strength, guidance, forgiveness and humility.
• Ask that Creator help you find a way to let go of those things that allow you to “let yourself” put the Creator/Spirit on a side or back burner.
• Ask that Creator help you find a way to let go of any anger, animosity, resentment or jealousy you may feel toward others.
• Ask that Creator help you understand and be tolerant of others.
• Ask that - when you are faced with opposition - you are guided to face that opposition in an honorable and forthright manner.
• And ask that, the next time you meet or interact or even hear about someone you consider to be an enemy or the opposition, you are given the strength and guidance to try to understand their perspective, to form your words, actions or reactions toward them in a good way and become an example for the Seventh Generation.

And if you’re in need of that symbolic gesture, write down the names of all your enemies, all those you feel have done you wrong, all the “things” that you feel are harming you or holding you back. Take the list you make, read it one time, then wad it up and throw it in the nearest trash can. Stop carrying the burden of all that negative energy right there at the other side of that mental river (to paraphrase Tom’s story of the woman and the two monks). Look at the Day of Healing as a new day, a new opportunity, a new way of being.

I apologize to those traditional spiritual elders I had contacted who agreed to help us plan this year’s Day of Healing.  The blame, the failure to follow through is mine and mine alone.

I won’t promise the Day of Healing 2008 will be any closer to that “grand idea” I originally had. It wouldn’t matter if I did. The Day of Healing only does its job if “I” … and you, and you, and you over there … if “we” let it.

Respectfully,
Valerie

PS - please feel free to forward to other lists, message boards, and individuals in the Tennessee Indian community who may not subscribe or view same.

Tags: Indian News

Press release NCC Port Royal Powwow

The following is a press release for this year's NCC Powwow at Port Royal. It is always a great event to attend;and I would be there dancing in the circle if I were not going to be in Texas covering the CBR event in Longview.All I can say is here you will see  authentic dancing,great drums and good people who are doing their Powwow for all the right reasons.You can feel the spirit of the Powwow  in your heart when you approach the grounds.Please attend and  have a great time there.Thanks to Philonese Slaughter for  sending this.

 

 

The Native Cultural Circle will be hosting their 10th Annual Clarksville Area Intertribal Powwow at the Powwow Grounds across the Red River from the Port Royal State Historic Site in Adams, Tennessee on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 & 14, 2007. 

 

This year we are proud to welcome White Horse Singers from Alabama as our host drum and Shades of Red from North Carolina as our guest drum.  There will be special activities both days of the powwow.  Saturday’s events will include honoring the walkers who participate in the Port Royal Trail of Tears Commemorative Walk and a world class Hoop Dancer.  On Sunday there will be a dance presentation by Juanetta Jones’ folkloric dance troop.

The powwow is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October13 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Admission each day is $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors.  Active Duty Military with an ID will be admitted for free.

 

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the dancing.  Come enjoy sharing our culture, trying the food, and enjoying the demonstrations.  Explore the vendor booths for interesting crafts that make wonderful gifts for yourself, family members or friends.  

 

For additional information contact: Paul Slaughter at 931-358-4187 or “Red” Kirby at 931-368-1246. 

Tags: Powwow

CBR News

Pistol Robinson Wins The L’Auberge du Lac Tuff Hedeman Louisiana Shootout

by Sheila Totten

 Pistol Robinson had two reasons to celebrate in Lake Charles, Louisiana on September 23rd. He not only won the event title with his great 93 point ride in the short go aboard Harlan Robertson’s Livewire but Pistol also jumped ahead of Zack brown to lead the CBR Crown Royal Standings. Harlan Robertson’s bulls were the key for Pistol as he combined his short go ride with a good, solid 89.5 ride in the long go aboard CC Mr. G to end up with 182.5 on two head. According to the CBR if you travel with Pistol you best be prepared to do the driving as  he tends to sleep. He claims he needs his rest so he can ride well!

Kenny Westrope led the way into the short go with his long go winning ride for 91 aboard Scott Burruss’ 20 Polecat but bucked off of Robertson’s Little Wicked in the short go Pistol Robinson was second in the long go; and the race was on.

Bonner Bolton was third in the long go with 89 points aboard Martinez Bucking Bulls El Patron while Wesley Silcox tied with Luke Kelly, Jesse Bail and Ardie Maier for places 4-7.Jody Newberry finished 8th in the round with 85.5 points.

Wesley Silcox joined the 90 point club with his 91 point ride aboard Martinez’s 60 Border Patrol. Luke Kelly did the same with his 90-point ride aboard the great Biloxi Blues. Along with Robinson, they were the only qualified rides in the short go as bulls as Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo’s Zorro, Scott Burruss’ Cowboy Cut and Alan Murphy’s Smokin Joe sent their riders flying off early. It was another great event with great bulls, great cowboys and great personnel The CBR heads to northwest Louisiana on October 6th for The Eldorado Resort Casino Tuff Hedeman Louisiana Shootout-Bossier City, LA. It’s going to be another fun filled, exciting event. Try and be there. There were some injuries at Lake Charles, which is the norm when you have such a great pen of rank bulls. Ardie Maier who hails from Timber Lake. S.D., which is on the border of the Cheyenne River and Standing Rock reservations, was knocked out in the short go as his head hit Cowboy Cut’s horn. Ardie went airborne, landing face down in the dirt. He regained consciousness after being carried out of the arena but had momentary memory loss and a cut above his right eye. He has regained his memory since then, Making a save, Matt Baldwin injured his foot which was first thought to be broken .He actually had severe tissue swelling with a hematoma on the top of his foot but should be back in action by Bossier City this coming weekend. Beau Schroeder will be out for 6-8 weeks with a broken leg he sustained when he got hung up on Martinez’s Lil Wayne<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Wesley Silcox was injured on October 1st in the semifinals of the Omaha Nebraska River City roundup. A bull I always considered to be dangerous, Crossfire Hurricane slammed his head into Wesley’s jaw as he bucked Wesley off. Wesley took a bad bump, breaking his jaw, suffering a concussion and some lacerations. He’s going to be in pain for a while so please keep him in your prayers.

Meanwhile also knocked out of the competition at Bossier City is reigning CBR World Champion Matt Austin who was to make his return to action there. Matt was getting geared up in the practice pen on Tuesday night and broke his ankle. According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, Matt ought to be able to ride when the CBR goes to Jackson, MS in November. I hope to be at that one.

Country singer and photographer Teri Lann will be going to Longview, TX with me for the CBR’s Oct.13th event there and it looks like a real fun time for the fans. There will be autograph signings on Friday and Saturday. Gates open Saturday morning at the Fairgrounds at 9AM; and the fans will have a great time with such entertainment as a concert with Rich McCready, Minature Bucking Bulls and a Kids Corral. There will be lots of vendors also and the tickets for the event are a real bargain. Where else can you see World Champion Bulls, Cowboys and Bullfighters for $15 reserved seats in advance ($20 at the gate) General admission is only $10 in advance ($12 at the gate) and children 4-12 are $4 in advance and $6 at the  gate. This is a family bargain. Check out the CBR site online for more information Don’t forget to watch the CBR on the Outdoor Channel. As of today the new schedule begins with the CBR coming on at 11:00 PM Eastern. Beginning next week you will see all new shows beginning with the Red Wilk Construction CBR Bull Bash. Hope to see everyone in Longview. And if you cannot make the trip as we are doing from TN please support the NCC Powwow at Port Royal   in Montgomery County. There will be great vendors, food, drums and dancing there along with Spirit.

 

Tags: Bull Riding

The Uneven Weighted Scales Of Justice

By Sheila Totten

Life has never been easy for the Indigenous People of America-the American Indian.Once the foreigners came to their "Turtle Island" their lives were torn apart.Many were slaughtered in such horrible ways as to years later give Adolf Hitler  the ideas to copy this genocide  this time against Jews,Poles and other Europeans. Age and infirmity meant nothing to the European invaders.Babies were smashed against rocks,women were mutilated ;and babies cut out of their wombs.many were grilled alive.Oh yes,what we see in westerns as things the savages did to the settlers-its what the early Spaniard invaders did to the American Indian followed by the French who taught scalping to the Indian; and performed other atrocities on them.

Then the conquered people were sent to reservations where they were forbidden their way of life,language and religion.Many died when the government gave them contaminated and spoiled food and  also blankets from dead and dying soldiers  who had smallpox.Treaties were broken as soon as the ink was dry on the paper.The practice went on  as more and more indian land was taken due to greed for good farm land,rich hunting grounds and minerals as gold.That greed goes on today with strip mining,land seizures,etc.Rights have been taken from the tribes concerning their self governing ways;and the courts  have become a travesty of justice where misdemeanors  off rez become capital crimes if they happen on rez thanks to the government having taken away the Indian courts rights to conduct trials in these cases;and making mandatory sentences of life imprisonment for crimes where in the white world many see time served awaiting trial and probation as their punishment.

Maybe the biggest travesty of justice concerns  Leonard Peltier ; an innocent  warrior who was framed by the FBI and  who has been in prison for more than 31 years.If you have ever seen the movie "Thunderheart" then you might be aware of what went on  at Pine Ridge.Dirty FBI agents along with their GOON Squad made life intolerable their and later the GOON squads spread to other reservations where mineral were wanted;where sacred land was taken for strip mining of coal . Please read the article forwarded to me by Red Tree Woman.It reveals the truth  of what has happened and is still happening.Please write to Leonard and show him support.Thank you.

 

Leonard Peltier turned 63 years old on September 12, 2007, an international day demanding the immediate, unconditional freedom of this Native American artist, writer, and activist––one of the most widely recognized political prisoners in the world. Leonard has spent more than 31 years in some of the cruelest prisons in the United States, unjustly condemned to a double life sentence for the shooting death of two FBI agents in 1975. His situation is now aggravated by health problems. From his cell in the federal prison at Lewisberg, Pennsylvania, he keeps right on struggling for the rights of indigenous people.

Leonard Peltier: Silence Screams

by Carolina

The Message
Silence, they say, is the voice of complicity.
But silence is impossible.
Silence screams.
Silence is a message,
just as doing nothing is an act.
Let who you are ring out and resonate
in every word and deed.
Yes, become who you are.
There’s no sidestepping your own being
or your own responsibility.
What you do is who you are.
You are your own comeuppance.
You become your own message.
You are the message.
In the spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier

¡31 years behind bars!

Leonard Peltier turned 63 years old on September 12, 2007, an international day demanding the immediate, unconditional freedom of this Native American artist, writer, and activist––one of the most widely recognized political prisoners in the world.

Leonard has spent more than 31 years in some of the cruelest prisons in the United States, unjustly condemned to a double life sentence for the shooting death of two FBI agents in 1975. His situation is now aggravated by health problems.

From his cell in the federal prison at Lewisberg, Pennsylvania, he keeps right on struggling for the rights of indigenous people. He’s contributed to the establishment of libraries, schools, scholarships, and battered women’s shelters among many other projects. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and again in 2007.

“My crime’s being an Indian. What’s yours?”

In his autobiography My Life Is My Sun Dance, Leonard explains that his bloodline is mainly Ojibway and Dakota Sioux and that he was adopted by the Lakota Sioux and raised on their reservations “in the land known to you as America....but I don’t consider myself an American.”

“I know what I am. I am an Indian--an Indian who dared to stand up to defend his people. I am an innocent man who never murdered anyone nor wanted to. And, yes, I am a Sun Dancer. That, too, is my identity. If I am to suffer as a symbol of my people, then I suffer proudly. I will never yield.”

Leonard tells us that when he was nine years old a big black government car drove up to his house to take him and the other kids away to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) boarding school in Wahpeton, Dakota del Norte. When they got there, they cut off their long hair, stripped them, and doused them with DDT powder.

“I thought I was going to die...that place...was more like a reformatory than a school...I consider my years at Wahpenton my first imprisonment, and it was for the same crime as all the others: being an Indian.”

He goes on to say that “We had to speak English. We were beaten if we were caught speaking our own language. Still, we did....I guess that’s where I became a “hardened criminal,” as the FBI calls me. And you could say that the first infraction in my criminal career was speaking my own language. There’s an act of violence for you....The second was practicing our traditional religion.”

When Leonard Peltier was a teen-ager, President Eisenhower launched a program to eliminate the reservations and move the people off, giving them a small payment. Leonard remembers that the words “termination” and “dislocation” became the most feared words in the people’s vocabulary. The process of fighting against dislocation was his first experience as an activist.

During the 60s, Leonard worked as a farm worker and, later, in an auto body shop in Seattle. At that time he got his first taste of community organizing. At the beginning of the 70s, he joined up with the American Indian Movement (AIM), initially inspired by the Black Panthers.

In 1972, he participated in the Trail of Broken Treaties, a march / caravan from Alcatraz in California to Washington D.C., and also in the occupation of the BIA in the nation’s capital. He became a target of the FBI program to “neutralize” AIM leaders and was set up and jailed at the end of the year.

1973: The Occupation of Wounded Knee

One of AIM’s boldest actions was the occupation of the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the same place where the United States Army carried out its cowardly, infamous massacre of 300 Lakota people in 1890.

At the beginning of the 70s, AIM was getting together with the Lakota Indians who were true to their ancient traditions and wanted to hold on to their culture and their lands.

The BIA, worried about AIM’s growing influence in the area, imposed Dick Wilson as tribal chairman on the reservation, running roughshod over the will of the traditional elders and chiefs.

The puppet Wilson hated the AIM militants and allied himself with the FBI to destroy the movement that the agency saw as a threat to the American way of life. His paramilitary group known as the "GOONS" (Guardians of the Oglala Nation) had committed a long chain of abuses against the people.

On the night of February 27, around 300 Lakota and 25 AIM members occupied the town of Wounded Knee, joined by several Chicanos, Black, and white supporters. They opposed the murders of Native Americans on the reservation, the extreme poverty that the people lived in, and the corrupt tribal government. They demanded that the government respect the ancient treaties signed with native peoples to protect their territory and autonomy.

The next day, General Alexander Haig ordered an invasion. According to Ward Churchill and Jim Vanderwall in their book Agents of Repression, "In the first instance since the Civil War that the U.S. Army had been dispatched in a domestic operation, the Pentagon invaded Wounded Knee with 17 armored personnel carriers, 130,000 rounds of M-16 ammunition, 41,000 rounds of M-1 ammunition, 24,000 flares, 12 M-79 grenade launchers, 600 cases of C-S gas, 100 rounds of M-40 explosives, helicopters, phantom jets, and personnel, all under the direction of General Alexander Haig."

The operation also relied on 500 heavily armed policemen, federal marshals, and BIA and FBI agents. They surrounded Wounded Knee and set up barricades all along the road.

The occupation lasted 71 days and ended only after the government promised to investigate the complaints, something that never happened.

The next three years were known as the “reign of terror” on Pine Ridge. More than 300 people associated with AIM were violently attacked and many of their homes were burned. During these years more than 60 Native American people were killed by paramilitaries armed and trained by the FBI. There was also an increase of FBI SWAT team agents on the reservation.

It’s now known, as a result of a suit based on the Freedom of Information Act, that AIM activities on and off the reservation were under FBI surveillance and that the FBI was preparing the paramilitary operations on Pine Ridge a month before the shootout at Oglala.

Oglala: The fatal shootout

In a situation that was getting worse all the time, the Council of Elders on the Jumping Bull ranch near the town of Oglala asked AIM to come back to the reservation to protect them. Leonard Peltier, along with many other AIM members and non-members responded to the call and set up camp on the ranch.

On June 26, 1975, two FBI agents, Jack Coler and Ron Williamsen, followed a red pick-up truck onto the Jumping Bull ranch. They were supposedly looking for young Jimmy Eagle, who was said to have stolen a pair of cowboy boots.

A shootout began between the FBI agents and the people in the pick-up, trapping a family in the crossfire. Several mothers fled the area with their children while other people fired in self-defense. More than150 FBI SWAT team members, BIA police, and GOONS surrounded approximately 30 AIM men, women, and children and opened fire. Leonard Peltier helped a group of young people to escape from the rain of bullets. When the shootout ended, AIM member Joseph Killsright Stuntz was found dead, shot in the head. His death has never been investigated.

Coler and Williamsen were wounded during the shootout and then killed at point blank range. The two agents had in their possession a map with the Jumping Bull ranch marked on it.

According to FBI documents, more than forty Native Americans participated in the shootout, but only four were charged with killing the two agents: three AIM leaders––Dino Butler, Bob Robideau, and Leonard Peltier–– and Jimmy Eagle.

Butler and Robideau were the first to be arrested, and at their trial they stated that they had fired in self-defense. The jury believed the act was justified due to the atmosphere of terror that prevailed at Pine Ridge at the time. They were both found innocent.

The FBI was furious about the verdict and dropped the charges against Jimmy Eagle, according to their memos, “...in order to direct the full weight of the prosecution on Peltier."

Meanwhile, Leonard Peltier went to Canada, believing that he would never have a fair trial. On February 6, he was arrested and then extradited to the United States due to the statement of a woman named Myrtle Poor Bear, who said she had been his girlfriend and had seen him fire at the agents. As amatter of fact, she had never known him and was not present at the time of the shootout. In a later statement, she said that she had been coerced into giving false testimony as a result of being terrorized by FBI agents.

Two life sentences!?

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee has cited a number of examples of the injustice of the trial:

-The case wasn’t brought before the judge who had presided over the trial of Robideau and Butler, but instead before another judge with a reputation for making decisions favorable to the prosecution.

-Myrtle Poor Bear and other important witnesses were forbidden to testify about FBI misconduct.

-Testimony about the “reign of terror” on the Pine Ridge Reservation was severely limited.

-Important evidence, such as conflicting ballistic reports, was deemed inadmissible.

-The red pick-up that had been followed onto the ranch was suddenly described as Peltier’s “red and white van.”

-The jury was isolated and surrounded by federal marshals, making jurors believe that AIM was a security threat to them.

-Three young Native Americans were forced to give false testimony against Peltier after having been arrested and terrorized by FBI agents.

-The prosecutor couldn’t produce a single witness who could identify Peltier as the shooter.

-The government said that a cartridge found near the bodies was fired from the presumed murder weapon, and alleged that this was the only pistol of its kind used during the shootout and that it belonged to Peltier.

As a result of the Freedom of Information Act suit, FBI documents turned over to the defense showed that:

1. More than one weapon of the type attributed to Peltier had been present at the scene.

2. The FBI intentionally hid the ballistics report showing that the cartridge could not have come from the presumed murder weapon.

3. There was no doubt whatsoever that the agents followed a red pick-up onto the territory, and not the red and white van driven by Peltier.

4. Strong evidence against several other suspects existed and was withheld.

None of this evidence was presented to the jury that found Leonard Peltier guilty. He was given two consecutive life sentences.

Two consecutive life sentences?! How do they plan to implement that? Doesn’t the sentence reflect a deep fear of the spirit of Crazy Horse?

Bill Clinton: at the service of the FBI

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee explains that a new trial was sought after several of these abuses came to light. During one hearing, the federal prosecutor admitted that “...we can’t prove who shot the agents”. The court realized that Peltier could have been found innocent if the evidence hadn’t been unduly withheld by the FBI, but a new trial was denied on the basis of technical errors.

The Committee says:

“In 1993, Peltier requested Executive Clemency from President Bill Clinton. An intensive campaign was launched and supported by Native and human rights organizations, members of Congress, community and church groups, labor organizations, luminaries, and celebrities. Even Judge Heaney, who authored the court decision [denying a new trial], expressed firm support for Peltier’s release. The Peltier case had become a national issue.

On November 7, 2000, during a live radio interview, Clinton stated that he would seriously consider Peltier’s request for clemency and make a decision before leaving office on January 20, 2001.

In response, the FBI launched a major disinformation campaign in both the media and among key government officials. Over 500 FBI agents marched in front of the White House to oppose clemency. On January 20, the list of clemencies granted by Clinton was released to the media. Without explanation, Peltier's name had been excluded.”

The efforts of the defense team are now focused on obtaining more than 6,000 documents that are still being retained by the FBI and on urging Congress to investigate FBI misconduct on Pine Ridge and the “reign of terror” that existed between 1973 and 1976.

In a recent letter Leonard said: “If my case stands as it is, no common person has real freedom. Only the illusion until you have something the oppressors want.... In the spirit of Crazy Horse, who never gave up.”

Let’s change how it is.

This September 12, the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee has announced cultural events in different parts of the world. In Philadelphia there will be a demonstration to demand freedom for Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abu-Jamal, the MOVE 9, and the Cuban 5, convened by the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal (ICFFMAJ), Philadelphia Jericho, Philadelphia Anarchist Black Cross, the African Peoples Solidarity Committee, and the Uhuru Solidarity Movement.

What will you do?

Write a letter to Leonard:

Leonard Peltier # 89637-132
USP Lewisburg
PO BOX 1000
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania 17837

To sign an online petition or obtain information about letter writing campaigns, consult the page of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee: www.leonardpeltier.net

Sources:
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, case summaries
Leonard Peltier, My Life is My Sun Dance
Ward Churchill and Jim Vanderwall, Agents of Repression

Hau Ko'la
Great Spirit ~ Creator bless and guide us
extend the circle embracing all that is
May our thirst for spiritual awareness never cease
May forgiveness allow hate to never overwhelm us
May we remain upon the path of a good heart
for such is the way of the trail of our ancestors
I would die for my people and my country
Wakan Tonka made me an Indian
Aho!

Tags: Indian News

Charlotte,TN's Tye Allen Wins ABA Event At Circle 13.

Charlotte , TN's Tye  Allen Wins Circle 13's ABA Sunday Matinee

 I can finally say it was muddy at an event this season.We had a good turnout at Denmark and I was able to interview some riders. Scott Littrell did the honor with the Cowboy's Prayer  while former rider turned funnyman Mike Russell filled in as a judge along with Johnny Byrd.

The event began with a Junior riders exhibition.Dusty Russell who reminds me of a young Tuff Hedeman, drew Circle 13's black bull Star who sure didn't like the mud.Star didn't have much kick as he hop,skipped and jumped straight to the left and slipped at one point.Dusty scored a 65  to win the round as Dylan Clayton came down during the fourth jump aboard CWR's Ghastly Disaster who didn't mind the mud as he high kicked  and bucked with change-ups. The bigger the bull the less they will do in the mud.Ghastly is a lot smaller than Star; and as a result the mud did not affect his performance.It sure was good to have the rain we had so no complaints here..

Altus Dieterlen  was the first to come out of the chutes and the first to make a qualified ride.He scored 74 aboard Circle 13's  White Knight who took four leaps out of the chute before turning back into a left circle then reversed right.Tye Allen was the next one out and he rode Circle 13's 14K Golddigger  for 76 points. Tye had his work cut out as the bull bucked straight down the arena  with lots of kick before reversing back towards the chutes.

D.L. Goodman drew CWR's Cat Five Hurricane who took two long leaps out with power and high kicks to send D.L. to a non therapeutic mud bath. I hated to see D.L. come down but I sure am proud of my bull.

Charlie Mullins has really come of age as a rider this season. He rode CWR's TN Two Hawks for 69 points when Two Hawks made a wide traveling circle  to the left with  high kicking.It was a choppy,muddy ride ,but Charlie got it done.Matthew McCarley took over the lead with 77 points aboard Circle 13's Jordan's Pet who kicked high as he bucked straight to the left with lots of direction changes.Buck Friskillo got a reride as Circle 13's White Demon fouled himself at the gate.The bull bucked straight left then reversed right to get Buck off.Buck hung up but is ok. Jessie Perez tied for the lead aboard #327 Airliner who took one leap out then faked left and right before taking one  slow spin to the left and then stopped facing the chute at the buzzer.This bull has the time clock down and knew the eight seconds was over so ....Guess he's a Union bull!

We had a long intermission so riders could clean up and regroup. The roster was short for this event because of injuries happening  on Friday and Saturday to scheduled riders.When  the short go began it was Memphis pilot Charlie Mullins  aboard Circle 13's Bar 32 Full House.The bull took one leap out then spun left to give Charlie an early mud bath.Charlie had been out of shape as he came out on the bull and you just can't stub your toe on Full House.He's going to get you off and then watch out as he will go after you which Charlie found out. Charlotte TN's Tye Allen drew Circle 13's 180 Beavis who took two leaps straight out then faked right and left as he hop,skipped and jumped down the arena with lots of kick to his action.Tye was scored a 77 and that gave him 153 points on two head and the lead in the event.Matthew McCarley of Jackson,TN was the first rider up in the short go aboard one of my favorite Circle 13 bulls, #54 Super Dave who did not have his normal trip.He bucked straight  and alternated between kicks and no kicks as he faked right and left.Matthew scored 72  and had 149 for the event on two bulls.

Erik Glueck from MO. brought in Black Hooking and Jessie Perez should  have received a reride as the big black bull just hop,skipped and jumped real slow in a wide circle to the left  with no kick at all. Jessie scored 72 and had 149 on two head .Altus Dieterlen drew Glueck's Super 8  who stumbled and nearly fell over into the arena wall right in front of us.My "sister" and video camera operator Joy got a real mud bath from Super 8!Altus got a reride  on the same bull  who took three leaps straight out then circled left and slammed the gate at the buzzer.Altus scored 77 and had 151 on two head.He and  Tye  tied for the round lead.Tye Allen won the event with 153 points while Altus finished second with 151 points. Jessie Perez and Matthew McCarley tied for 3&4 with 149 while Charlie Mullins finished fifth in the event with his 69 points.

If you are interested in riding  it looks like the practice pen on Thursday nights will actually continue on till the ABA Finals. Come on out on a Thursday night to Denmark ,TN and The Circle 13 Rodeo Company and join the fun.

Tags: Bull Riding News

Current CBR News

Current CBR News

 The CBR is heading to the Navajo Nation’s Dean C.Jackson Arena on Tuesday, September 4th for the 2nd Annual Navajo Nation Championship Bull Riding that takes place during the weeklong Navajo Nation celebration and Fair.Bonner Bolton of Gardendale, Texas, last year’s winner, will be there to defend his title along with some of this country’s top bull riders. You can bet there will be entrants from the Navajo nation along with the regular CBR and PRCA riders who rank among the top competitors. PRCA World Champion Cody Hancock who grew up between the Hopi and Navajo reservations will be there along with PRCA NFR 8 time qualifier Jesse Bail who has been a speaker and guest at the Indian Agricultural meetings that are held during the NFR.

In a way this is close to a homecoming for CBR President and 4X World Champion Tuff Hedeman. Tuff and his brother Roach spent many of their formative years riding at events held in Gallup; and they are not strangers to the Navajo Nation. Tuff, Roach and their mother Clarissa were all close with Dr. Jackson and his family; and I expect Clarissa to make it to this event. Tuff’s mother, who spends her free time making dance regalia for Navajo dancers (including their roaches) prides herself on never having missed Gathering of Nations. She has instilled a love of heritage in all of her children.

Tickets are now on sale at the Arena Box Office, Bashas in Window Rock and Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprises also in Window Rock.  This should be a great event to attend and I sure wish I was not afraid to fly or I would be on a plane out to it.

 

Red Wilk CBR Bull Bash

On August 29 & 30th the CBR invaded Huron, S.D. for the annual Red Wilk CBR Bull Bash at the State Fair. The dirt flew and so did many riders as the bulls who were some of the rankest in the land kept the qualified rides to a minimum on Wednesday night. Out of 41 rides there were only 11 riders who made it to the buzzer in the long go and only 4 rides in the short go. Bonner Bolton took an early lead with his 86-point ride aboard Harlan Robertson’s Scorpion. Layne McCasland returned from the injured list only to face Rich Bumbaca’s Rockin’ Robby who got the best of Layne.

J.W.Harris scored 86.5 to go ahead of Bonner with his ride on RS’ Lil Agent. Cooper Kangiesser rode RS’ Chico for 85.5 to tie with Dusty Gailey on Rock N Red. Round three was all bulls as the well-known Berger/Ryken Bowtech’s Vertical Force, several RS Bulls and friends blanked the riders. In round four Reese Cates scored 84.5 aboard Lacey and John Berger’s Untouchable while Jarrod Craig rode a bull whose name I love, Norman’s Nightmare for 85.I can’t wait to see that bull in person as I was always told I was Norman’s (my husband) real nightmare! Steve Woolsey made a great ride on the Berger/Ryken bull White Shadow for 87.5 to take over the lead. Jason Hunsaker rode the Berger/Ryken/Loe bull The Godfather for 87.5 to tie with Steve Woolsey while Will French rode Berger’s Pappy Jack for 82 points. Jody Newberry was the last to ride and he scored 77.5 on Kamo Kat.

Then it was on to an even more exciting short go as Bonner Bolton made a great ride aboard Robertson/Wilson’s World Champion bull Biloxi Blues for 91.5.Bonner maintained complete control and rode the great bull jump for jump. I am really looking forward to seeing the recap of this event on The Outdoor Channel. The ride gave Bonner 177.5 on two head and the night’s win.

Dusty Gailey, who was fifth in the round rode Berger/Ryken’s Danny Boy for 86 points giving him 171.5 on two head; and a third place finish for the night. Jarrod Craig rode Rich Bumbaca’s Auger for 88 giving him 173 on two. Jarrod was second in the round and second in the night’s event. Cole Echols and Chance Smart tied for 3rd and 4th in the round at 86.5. Cole who rode Bumbaca’s Easy Street was one of the riders drawn back and had no score in the long go. This was the case with Chance Smart also.

The night’s event of the 30th began in much the same way as top riders as Clayton Williams hit the dirt early. In the first round of the long go there was one qualified ride which was John Jacobs aboard Harlan Robertson’s Scorpion for 86.5.Harlan’s bulls were a handful and the next qualified ride was not till the middle of the second round. Douglas Duncan tied with Jacobs as hemad an 86.5 ride aboard Rich Bumbaca’s Give It Away. They remained in the lead till “Cody Sundby rode Bumbaca’s White Russian for 88 points to top the leaderboard. Paul Weinberger rode Bumbaca’s Mr. X for 84.5 and Sam Smith rode Bumbaca’s Double XL for 81.Hmm, I wonder if Rich is a fan of country music with all the bulls that are popping up named after recent hits.

Rounds three and four had bulls from various factions of the Berger family and I am not familiar with some of the new abbreviations being used beginning with the letter Y. In round three Ross Lewis scored 80.5 aboard the Chad and Lacey Berger’s Lucky while Brandon Edwards scored 84.5 aboard Berger/Ryken’s Kamo Kat. Corey Davis was next with 85 points aboard Berger/Ryken/Loe’s The Godfather. Jay Morrow ended round three with 86 points aboard Berger/Ryken’s Rex’s Rampage.

In round four Danell Tipton made a great ride aboard Lacey and John Berger’s Turbo for 89 points and the lead. Seth Reynolds scored 83.5 aboard Lacey and John Berger’s Rock On while Paul Hernandez scored 74.5 aboard Y5’s Mellow Yellow. Three riders (Garrett Vig, Shawn Coleman and Chad Castillo) were drawn back for the short go. Cody Sundby scored 87.5 as he rode Harlan Robertson’s Bad Action to take the lead in the short go and the night’s event with 175.5 on two head, which put him in second place behind event winner Bonner Bolton. John Jacobs rode Gold Bell Wine for 86, which gave him 172.5 on two placing him in second place for the night and fourth for the event which is figured on cumulative points from both night’s events. Seth Reynolds’s scored 87.5 aboard Harlan Robertson’s Bad Bubba and had 171 on two head to finish 6th in the event. I wonder if this is that same bad Bubba Terry Williams raised. That bull would get you even at feeding time! The top ride in the short go was a great 90-point ride by Ross Lewis aboard the Robertson’s World Champion bull Biloxi Blues for 90 points. That gave Lewis 170.5 and seventh place in the event. Danell Tipton’s 89 points in the long go held out for 8th place in the event. There were some injuries during the two-night event. Curtis Semans of Ravendon, Arkansas was stepped on as he came down right out of the chute. He suffered an inner thigh laceration requiring stitches He was sent to the hospital where he underwent surgery on his thigh. He was released the following morning and made itback to the event as a spectator but will be out of competition for 6-8 weeks. Steve Woolsey was stepped on in the short go and received a cut on the back of his right leg, which was treated. Sam Smith (Sulphur Springs, Texas) was KO’d for a minute when his head and Robertson’s Powder Burn’s head collided in the short go. Sam was on the way to a 90+ ride when the bull whipped him down over his head. Sam avoided serious head injuries thanks to the helmet he was wearing. He was treated by the Sports Medicine team and released. Chad Castillo (Liapn, Texas) had a left eye contusion and over the eye laceration when he was hit by the bull’s horn. He was sutured in the sports medicine room and should be at Window Rock. Ronny Kitchens suffered a broken free arm wrist at one of the many open bull-riding events he has been competing at but planned to make it to Window Rock. Cooper Kangiesser won’t make it though as he doctor released from it after suffering an elbow injury at the PRCA’s Xtreme event at Ellensburg, Washington.Cooper and his wife are the proud parents of a new baby boy. Congratulations to them and also to our friend Cody Hancock and his beautiful wife Rhinda who are expecting another baby girl any time now.

CBR /PRCA rider Tag Elliott underwent a second surgery on Sept 6th.Tag was severely injured on July 24th at The Days of 47 rodeo in Salt Lake City. Tag’s family sent a beautiful thank you letter to the CBR for their help with the benefit auction that Double Diamond Auctions put on to raise money for Tag’s expenses. Please keep the plucky 19 year old in your prayers. Sonny Murphy who broke his neck at the NFR expects to be back in action at Window Rock.Zack Brown who is leading the pack here at the CBR is out of action for four or more weeks due to a knee injury. Lucas Dick and Bryan Richardson are taking time off due to hand injuries that just won’t seem to go away.

I don’t know if it was the same horse that threw his dad, CBR President and 4X World Champion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman, but Trevor Hedeman had a bad wreck while at a roping event in Ft.Worth.Trevor, Tuff’s younger son, suffered a broken leg when his horse flipped over on him.Dr.Tandy Freeman treated Trevor who is in a cast/brace combo and presently will not need surgery. OK, Tuff, if that’s the same horse who threw you maybe you need to come out here and get Widowmaker for Trevor. He’s still here.

According to Cicily Cross in her Crossroads column Terry Williams is back to working cattle on horse back around his ranch. He has done A-1 since his liver transplant and it makes all of us here very happy, as Terry is well loved by all. Window Rock is the first CBR event Terry has attended and he plans to make all the rest. I hope to go to the Lake Charles or Bossier City, LA.  Event and I can’t wait to see everyone. Rumor has it PRCA World Champion and 2006 CBR World Champion Matt Austin will be returning to action at Lake Charles.

The CBR event at The Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, Arizona is now in the record books; and it was Navajo Nation Bull riding Champion Spud Jones who won the event. The 18 year old was fourth in the long go with 86 points aboard Martin Baca’s Speedy Gonzales; placing fourth in the round. He made a great ride in the short go aboard Alan Murphy’s Smokin Joe for 91 points and you know his fans were cheering loudly. He’s the pride of the Navajo Nation and we are hoping he has many successful years ahead of him. He had a total of 177 on the two head to win the event and $10,000.

Tuff Hedeman has coached many young riders on the reservation; and he always tries to get the Indian riders involved in both the CBR and PRCA. Spud, with this one win has jumped to 16th place in the CBR standings. I hope he makes it to their Finals in January.

In round one of the long go Reese Cates scored 84 aboard Harlan Robertson’s Bad Wine but was quickly eclipsed in the lead by Wesley Silcox who made a great ride aboard Robertson’s Little Wicked for 89 points. Wesley finished second in the long go while Reese was eighth.

Cole Echols rode Robertson’s Scorpion for 85 points to end up in fifth place in the long go. It has been good to see Clayton Williams back riding in the CBR.He scored 81.5 aboard Harlan Robertson’s Wildside.

In round two Lee Woolsey rode Owen Washburn’s Black Sheep for 84 to tie for 6/7/8 in the round while Jake Littlefield rode Washburn’s Rhythm and Blues for 82.5. John Jacobs rode Mike Johnson’s Cat Daddy for 84 points and was the third rider in the tie. Ross Johnson, like Clayton makes the CBR events when he can. Owen Washburn’s MJ got the best of Ross. I remember when Ross proudly told me of his heritage adding that his wife is of Choctaw descent Riders freely open up now where years back they were afraid to admit to their roots.

Danny McDowell rode Mike Johnson’s All Jacked Up for 83 points while Shawn Coleman rode Six Pac To Go for the same score. And here we go again with song title names

In round three, Johnson’s Ridin Dirty blanked fan favorite and PRCA World Champion Cody Hancock while his Hi-Jack blanked another fan favorite and NFR contender Jesse Bail.

Caspar Baca brought some of his great bulls   and they were sending cowboys flying off till Kenny Westrope rode Caspar’s Pepe Le Pew for 89 points to end up third in the long go. Corey Davis rode Baca’s Allen for 79 points.

I have always been a fan of the Baca bulls and also Robbie and Chad Herrington’s bulls. I wish I could have been to Window Rock but I had to stay local for my own bulls. The Herrington bulls blanked all of their riders including Steve Woolsey and Huron winner Bonner Bolton who was last year’s winner in Window Rock. The only two qualified rides in the fourth round were Sonny Murphy’s 89.5 ride aboard Alan Murphy’s Mr. Incredible to win the long go; and also Spud Jones’ 86-point ride as already noted.

The action was hot and heavy in the short go. Jesse Bail and Travis Sellers were drawn back   for the round but Harlan Robertson’s Livewire and Mike Johnson’s Legally Blonde eliminated them. Clayton Williams made a good ride aboard Alan Murphy’s Rocky for 88 points, which gave him 169.5 on two and an early lead. Clay finished 6th in the event. Jay Dunford made a great 92-point ride aboard Harlan Robertson’s Bad Action to finish fourth in the event with 174 points. As he took the lead the fans were on the edge of their seats. Caspar Baca’s bulls blanked their riders before we got more members for The American War Heroes Club (90 point and 90 + rides). The nail biting actionheated up with Reese Cates 91 point ride aboard Owen Washburn and 5 Ladies’ Ladies Choice. Reese was third in the event with 175 on two head. He was followed by another good ride as John Jacobs rode Harlan Robertson’s World Champion bull Biloxi Blues for 89 points, which gave him a total of 173 and fifth place in the event. The excitement grew as Cole Echols rode Robertson’s Stand Off for 91 points to finish in second place with 176 points. Then came Spud Jones’ 91 point ride aboard Alan Murphy’s Smokin Joe which gave Spud the win with 177 points; and gave him a shot at the CBR Finals as he jumped from #41 in the standings to #15. Harlan Robertson’s Powder Burn blanked Sonny Murphy while Alan Murphy’s Mellow Yellow got the best of Kenny Westrope to end the nail biting round. I love all the CBR events but especially love those that are on Rez.Thanks to the entire CBR staff for their work to bring good, affordable events to all of our people.

The CBR heads to Lake Charles, Louisiana on Sept 22nd.That is always a fun event. Lake Charles is a great place to visit and don’t forget to stop at the Coushatta Reservation on your way to Lake Charles. If we are not bucking our bulls locally that weekend; and if I can get my traveling partner and photographer, country music’s Teri Lann on the road we just might see everyone there.

Tags: Bull Riding News