Bill Osceola Memorial Rodeo

By Judy Weeks

BIG CYPRESS — It’s Pow-Wow time again in Hollywood and that means the return of the ever popular Bill Osceola Memorial Rodeo. The first Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA) Tour Rodeo was held this year at the Junior Cypress Arena in Big Cypress on Feb. 4–5.

Sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and hosted by the EIRA, this extravaganza attracts contestants from all over the U.S. who are competing for more than money, buckles and all around saddles. They will have an opportunity to accumulate as many points as possible in their effort to qualify for the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

The Bill Osceola Memorial Rodeo got its start 35 years ago in Hollywood and was originally referred to as the Pow-wow Rodeo. As an avid rodeo fan, Bill Osceola was instrumental in organizing the rodeo and from his leadership position in the Seminole Tribe was able to offer the sponsorship necessary to establish this as an annual event.

Bill Osceola realized that rodeo was an expression of a portion of what the Seminole Tribe had become. In the past 100 years, its members had begun to earn their living on the ranches of South Florida and eventually established a cattle operation of their own, which is recognized as one of the finest in the U.S. It is only natural that this annual affair was renamed in his memory.

On the night before the rodeo, a cold front began to sweep across the state of Florida and dropped several inches of much needed rain on Big Cypress. While the farms and ranches needed the rain, the rodeo arena could have done very nicely without it.

Arena Director Josh Jumper organized his work force and worked very hard all day clearing the water from the arena and dragging the clay in order to prepare a safe playing field for the contestants. However, there was only so much they could do and the show must go on.

While the conditions may have been less than ideal, they did not dampen the enthusiasm of the contestants. Looking across the rain soaked arena, one rider remarked, “Just another day in the life of a cowboy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked in the wet and the cold.”

His friend laughed and said, “There’s one good thing about this! You can hope for a better reward at the end of the day than just dry clothes and a hot meal. Let’s Rodeo!”

This two day rodeo featured the Junior EIRA events at 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, the Long Go at 8 p.m. and the Short Go on Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.

The Junior Rodeo’s first event was mutton bustin . Clinging to their sheep the contestants made their way down the arena trying to beat the clock. As their mounts dropped them to the ground, they were covered in wet clay and in some instances the clowns had to dump out the face protectors on their helmets. Ahnie Jumper took first place, with Sarah Ducheene in second and Cyrus Smedley in third.

As the contestants grow older, their mounts become larger. Several veteran mutton busters had moved up to the calf riding. These brave youngsters came flying out of the chutes with one hand held in the air and the other clinging to the rigging. Jobe Johns was making his debut appearance on a calf and managed to score 3.31 putting him in the first place position. Blevins Jumper and Malloni Perez were hot on his heels in second and third place.

Wild Pony Riding Champion J.J. Johns remained undefeated. He managed to stick with the white bronc that he had drawn as it bucked its way down the length of the arena giving him a very impressive ride. It was a close contest for the Steer Riders with last year’s Champion holding his own. Andre Jumper took first place with Zane Ducheneaux just two points behind him.

Four brave young men tried their hands at the junior bull competition. Ethan Gopher’s white spotted bull gave him several hard shots as he exited the chute and Justin Aldridge was rocketed through the air by his ride. Seth Randolph put up a good fight and received the first place score. Dayne Johns qualified for a redraw, which gave him an opportunity to walk off with second place.

The rodeo clowns did a terrific job protecting these young athletes as they streaked down the arena on foot, rescuing the riders and distracting the livestock while the contestants made their way to safety.

Junior breakaway drew five contestants, who have been working on their roping skills with dreams of someday following the team roping circuit. Their performances showed that they have a good shot at their goal. A score of 14.47 gave Chebon Gooding the top slot with Andre Jumper taking second place.

There were numerous entries in all three levels of the barrel competition. The wet arena was slippery and the clay hung on the horses’ feet, but the riders remained undaunted. There were no falls and very few barrels knocked over.

The riders carefully paced themselves in the tight turns and flew through the timers on their way home with the following results: 4-8 barrels: 1.Kalgary Johns, 2. Ahnie Jumper; 9-12 Barrels: 1.Zane Ducheneaux, 2. Acelyn Youngblood, 3. Nauthkee Henry, 4. Kristina Osceola; 13-18 Barrels: 1. Shyla Jones, 2. Taylor Johns, 3. Chebon Gooding.

The Marki Rodeo Company was stock contractor for the weekend’s presentations. Announcer Norman Edwards from Micanopy, Fla., did his usual fine job and was assisted by Montana Announcer Dale Oldhorn.

Taylor Johns from Brighton carried the American Flag around the arena while the audience stood up in respect for the national pride it represents. As the National Anthem arrived at the words “bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,” fireworks burst forth from the flag staff illuminating Old Glory.

Dale Oldham offered a prayer for the safe return of our troops from Iraq and the many outposts in the world where they are stationed and asked God’s blessing for the rodeo contestants.

EIRA Queen Shelby Osceola and Jr. Queen Shyanna Osceola led the Grand Entry displaying the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) and EIRA flags. Rodeo contestants circled the arena for the pleasure of the audience.

Sanctioned events began with the bareback broncs. There was no lack of excitement during this dangerous presentation. A rider’s hand got caught up in the rigging causing a few very anxious moments before he managed to free himself. Pickup man Spook Whidden took a hard blow to the stomach, when Freddie Warbonnet’s horse got cantankerous before exiting the arena. Koty Brugh was thrown out of the chute by his horse before he could adjust his rigging and had to start over.

Past World INFR Bareback Champion Shawn Best Sr. is a showman at heart. Raking his ride for the high points, he completed his eight second run, smoothly cleared his mount with the help of the pickup man and then raised his hand and waved to the crowd.

High Scores in the bareback exhibition went to: 1.Freddy Warbonnet, 2. Lee Jay Harmon, 3. Byron Bruised Head, 4. Shawn Best Sr.

Bull dogging or steer wrestling gave the audience an opportunity to see not only the athletic skills of the contestants but also the excellent training they have given their horses. These horse and rider teams placed David Shade in first place and Armand Duck Chief in second.

The crowd was entertained throughout the evening by Brian Potter from Newville, Alabama. Playing the role of Motocross Mike, he jumped through a ring of fire and performed antics on his motorbike. Throughout the rodeo, his running commentary kept the crowd laughing and on several occasions he jumped the fence into the stands and interacted with the audience.

Saddle Bronc Riders Jake Caldwell, Shawn Best Sr., Robert Youngblood and Byron Bruised Head traveled from all across the U.S. to compete in this event. Some even traveled from as far away as Washington State and Montana. Competition was fierce as they collected tour points toward qualification in the INFR.

Calf roping had numerous local entries as well as out-of-state. At one point Naha and Josh Jumper were holding first and second place, but were bumped back one slot by Ed Holyan who had two excellent runs. Young Hilliard Gopher threw his hat in the ring with the big boys, but had a tough break when he lost his catch. Rodeo is in that young man’s blood and it’s a certainty that we will see him again.

Ladies breakaway opened up the first of the women’s events. Local entries abounded and were joined by past INFR qualifiers as they competed for their points.

Shelby Osceola, a former all-around Florida high school rodeo winner and current EIRA queen, had a very impressive 4.75 time in the long go and a 12.74 in the short go. This gave her a combined average for first place. Lizzie Dixey, a fourth place INFR qualifier came all the way from Idaho for this rodeo.

Upon averaging the scores, the local entries took the top three, Shelby Osceola, Billie Tiger, and LeAnna Billie, respectively, won money in the ladies breakaway. EIRA roping legends brought out their old horses and new ropes for their breakaway event. It was tough luck for several of the contestants with Billie Joe Johns taking first place followed by Amos Tiger in second.

The featured rodeo entertainment was Rodney Hayes, AKA “The Texas Kid.” With an extensive background in rodeo, he began training bulls for amusement in 1991. Riding his long horn bull, Billy the Kid, he jumped through fire, laid the creature on the ground and stood on its side. He was accompanied in the arena by two small children riding miniature horses and performing tricks.

During the performance, all three rode their mounts up a ramp to the top of the stock trailer and then stood up on the animals’ saddles. It was an incredible exhibition. Hayes on The Texas Kid knelt down in the arena, while his niece, Kaylie did the same on Wrangler, a two year old bull that he is currently training.

The team roping drew more entries than any other, but was very fast paced. There were many fine teams comprised of local EIRA members vying for the top positions. Unfortunately, not everyone can win. In the two day average, Header Josh Jumper and Heeler Cort Herrera took first place. Mike Smith and Terry Fischer came in second, closely followed by Mike Smith and Steve Romo in third.

Women’s barrel racing brought out the best of the best. There were 16 riders with an extensive barrel history and the competition was tough. Chunks of clay flew, barrels rocked, horses spun and rocketed down the home stretch, while the audience routed for their favorites.

When the scores for the long and short time were averaged the winners were: 1. Boogie Jumper, 2. Tess Ducheneaux, 3. Lizzie Dixey, 4. Shelly Vocu.

This rodeo marked a special occasion for Lisa Osceola, who has spent the past six years in a secretarial position with EIRA. She decided it was time to come out of retirement and run those barrels once again.

Despite freezing temperatures, the crowd remained fast in their seats because in rodeo, it’s never over until the riding of the bulls. The livestock was superior and the riders put on an excellent performance, risking their lives for qualifying points, prizes and the appreciative roar of the crowd.

The clowns really did their jobs. There were a few tense moments when one of the bulls picked up Brisk Forrest a.k.a. Weasel and took him on a long ride down the arena. Fortunately, he was swept off his feet by the bull’s face and did not encounter the horns.

As he eventually hit the ground, he scrambled to his feet and rushed out of harm’s way. The riders are very fortunate to have clowns of this caliber working to protect them and showed their appreciation with a loud cheer.

There were l5 entries in the bull riding, hailing from many different states. Following in the family tradition, Shawn Best Jr. rode in both the long and short go, totaling up a final score of 150 points for first place. Just one point behind him was Willie Covers Up followed by Craig T. Johnson in third.