CURRENT PRESS RELEASE - December 2, 2008

Dave James nominated for Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Committeeman of the Year.

CONTACT: Rick Abasta, Media Representative
Phone: 928-871-6647
Email: rick@navajonationparks.org

Navajo cowboys traveling to Las Vegas to make their mark

WINDOW ROCK-The Navajo Nation has two young cowboys riding into history this weekend.

Spud Jones and Derrick Begay have reached the pinnacle of professional rodeo, competing for the next week in the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev.

Navajo Parks and Recreation Department Manager Ray Russell beams with pride at the prospect of seeing two Navajo cowboys competing in the “Big Show.”

In addition to the Navajo competitors, Russell is also happy with the nomination of Dave James as Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Committeeman of the Year.

The nomination is a definitely another highlight of the Navajo Nation Fourth of July Celebration, he said.

In previous years, two other parks and recreation staff have been nominated – Dave Wilson and Nathaniel Boyd – for their efforts in the PRCA Rodeo arena.

“Out of the 35 rodeos during the Fourth of July weekend, we’ve been ranked in the top five consistently,” Russell said. “The Navajo Nation should be very proud of this and I credit the staff of Navajo Parks and Recreation for putting on that quality rodeo year after year.”

Dave James has been PRCA rodeo coordinator for the Navajo Nation for the past five years.

Working behind the scenes to pull off a great show lies in the details.

“As a coordinator, you get started way beforehand,” James said. “You have to find out who your stock contractors are going to be, your rodeo announcers, your specialty acts and your barrel men.

“You have to make sure the feed is there for the stock contractors,” he added.

Kneading these monstrous logistical issues into a manageable size means communication and staying abreast of the latest trends.

Rolling the dice and taking risks is also part of the game, in order to keep things interesting for the fans, he said.

In 2008, that meant becoming a part of the PRCA Tour Rodeo circuit for the Navajo Nation. The goal of raking in top name cowboys to compete didn’t quite workout, however, due to the two go-round requirements for the timed events.

Being tied down to one location for “Cowboy Christmas” during July 4th weekend didn’t factor into the plans of many cowboys.

“We were hoping to get some top name contestants, but we didn’t because the tour requires two go-rounds in the timed events,” James said. “But a lot of the cowboys wanted to go here and there, all around the U.S.”

The Fourth of July weekend is busiest time of the year for cowboys and cowgirls, with rodeos peppered throughout the country.

Learning from that experience, James said the Navajo Nation is going to stay with what’s worked in the past and host a PRCA rodeo with one go-round. This means slack and four main performances in the evenings.

The 23rd Annual Navajo Nation Fourth of July Celebration and PRCA Pro Rodeo will take place July 2-5, 2009.

“We’ve been getting some of the world champions going through our arena,” James said proudly.

Evidence of the popularity of Navajo participation in pro rodeo, is the recognition of the Navajo Nation in Arizona and the Southwest for the best footage award.

The Navajo Nation has consistently placed in the top five, placing second in 2008, behind Prescott. The best footage award is a ranking of the best rodeo arenas in the country.

“Prescott has been doing rodeos way before we started. Nation-wide, Prescott is one of the top rodeos throughout the year,” James said. “To be up there with them is quite an honor for the Navajo Nation.”

With his nomination as committeeman of the year, James is quick to point out he’s not in it for himself, but rather, for the Navajo Nation.

“Year in and year out, I try to do my best to put Window Rock, Arizona on the map. I’m just giving back to the sport of rodeo,” he said.

Stock contractors, announcers and various other individuals involved in machinations of the PRCA nominate selections each year for the PRCA Committeeman of the Year award.

Ray Russell, department manager for the Navajo Parks and Recreation Dept., nominated Dave James for the 2008 award.

Last year, Nathaniel Boyd was nominated from the department.

But working toward a nomination was never the intent for both Navajo cowboys. Entertaining the Navajo people with a quality show was always the goal.

Their efforts have paid off handsomely, as the Navajo Nation celebrates the first two Navajo athletes to compete in the National Finals Rodeo.

With Jones bull riding and Begay team roping, James said, “It’s history in the making.”

“You’re proud to have two of your own people represent you at the NFR. We wish them well and we’re behind them,” James said.

The Navajo Parks and Recreation Dept. will be hosting an invitation-only reception for Jones and Begay at the Mirage on Dec. 4, beginning at 1 p.m. The dept. also awarded both athletes with a rollaway bag and garment bag to tote their gear.

One piece of gear is de rigeur for James, his cowboy hat, which is worn daily.

“It’s just one of those things that I’ve been doing since I was a kid,” he said with a smile. “Even if I wear my short pants in the summer, you’ll see me with a cowboy hat.”

Originally from Klagetoh, Ariz., James is like many other Navajo cowboys, living the life of a rancher before entering the arena of rodeo.

Because the sport originated from the rancher lifestyle, rodeo cowboys can’t really be separated from rancher cowboys, he said.

The James family grew on ranch, where cattle punching and tending to animals was a way of life.

James continues this tradition with family today in Ganado, where his 10-year-old daughter barrel races and his eight-year-old son calf-rides with dreams of becoming a bull rider.

Both kids have stood in the shadow of their father, watching him coordinate the Navajo Nation’s biggest rodeo. In his youth, James rode bareback horses and knows firsthand about the adrenaline rush of competition.

“I started out riding bulls, but I wasn’t so good at it, so I rode bareback for a few years,” he said. “I ended up with some broken bones and that’s why I ended (my career) short.”

Although he’s not competing, the excitement is still there for James, coordinating the PRCA Pro Rodeo again this coming year.

The challenge of coordinating the rodeo isn’t logistical, as one would think, however.

“Once you get all of your preparations in place, your other hope is that when you open your gates, you want your rodeo fans to come and fill the stadium,” James said. “You put time, effort and money into your event.

“You want to get some of that dollar back, at least break even, or make a little dollar when it’s all over and done with,” he said.

Despite any monetary obstacles, the PRCA rodeo has succeeded with its purpose on the Navajo Nation, James said.

“We have two of our own in the national finals. The intent was to get some of our Navajo rodeo athletes to that level and now we’re beginning to see that,” he said.

Beyond the two Navajo cowboys making their mark in Vegas this week, the PRCA has always recognized the Navajo fans as the best in the business. Compared to fans across the country, James said the fans in Window Rock have always been much louder.

“Rodeo is a family thing. The sport of rodeo will continue to grow on the Navajo Nation, as long as we’re teaching our kids the responsibility of caring for animals and sticking together as a family,” he said.

Information: www.navajonationparks.org

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