Navajo bull rider following in Spud’s footsteps

By Rick Abasta

WINDOW ROCK-Dennison “JR” Billy, 19, is a Navajo bull rider on a mission to get to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Originally from Cortez, Colo., Billy was inspired in 2008 by Spud Jones, as he made his first appearance in the 50^th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“I saw Spud riding at the Championship Bull Riding in Window Rock and seeing him made me want to go on,” Billy said.

Because a Navajo bull rider made it to the big show, he was motivated to do his best.

Ty Murray noticed the strength of Billy’s riding and invited him to the PBR in Albuquerque in March 2009.

“I got sponsored by Enterprise Car Rentals,” Billy said.

The bulls were aggressive, however.

“I got bucked off all three bulls. They were tough,” he said. “They told me to go home and work on the basics.

“I did my best to ride like Spud,” he added.

Riding for over nine years, Billy said he started competing because of the money.

In the 2008 season, he cleared over $80,000 in prize money.

He remembered one particular rodeo in Rocky Boy, Mont.

It was an INFR Tour Rodeo and Billy rode both of his bulls to win $6,500. From there, he traveled south to the Crow Fair and took second place for another $3,500.

With his $10,000 in winnings from one weekend, he bought tickets for his friends the following weekend and the group traveled to Connecticut to attend the Schemitzun Powwow and Rodeo.

The Navajo cowboys stayed in a suite at the Hard Rock Casino for the weekend.

“I rode and won the first round. I got $5,200. I came back for the short go round and won $5,200 again,” Billy said.

He wasn’t through, however. Billy would return for the short go round of the 10^th round and pocketed another $5,200, bringing his total for Schemitzun at $16,800.

For as long as he could remember, Billy wanted to rodeo and qualify for a trip to the big show. Watching Spud hit that national level last winter has inspired him.

“I was going to hang out with Spud and see some pro rodeos, but I haven’t yet,” he said.

For now, he’s focused on the upcoming rodeos coming to Window Rock.

In 2008, Billy also rode in the Championship Bull Riding during the Navajo Nation Fair.

“I got bucked off a bull named Cracker Jack. He did three jumps to the left and started spinning to my hand and I bucked off,” he said.

At the age of 18, he was the youngest bull rider competing.

Billy also won the 2008 Year End Award for Triple B (bares, broncs, bulls) from the Triple B Association in Colorado.

Starting out in bull riding was simple enough for Billy, thanks to his friend Robert Gray.

“I used to stay at Robert’s place in Pinon,” he said. “One day, I saw him messing around with his bull rope. I asked him about it and he told me to try it.”

Imagine two cowboys, an onery bull, bucking chute and an open pasture.

“When you bucked off the bull, you had to run because he’d chase you,” Billy laughed.

Since those humble beginnings, Billy has collected 98 buckles, from rodeos across the country, in states like South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, California, Arizona and many more. He’s even traveled to Canada to compete.

He usually travels with fellow cowboys Craig and Marvin Begay, Chris Riggs.

“Craig is the intercollegiate champion bull rider from Wyoming,” Billy said.

After graduating from Farmington High School in 2009, Billy has set his sights squarely on getting into the PRCA and following in the steps of Spud Jones.

“I’ve only collected $800 for the PRCA rodeo and I need $200 to make it to Cheyenne Frontier Days in July,” he said. “I need a good showing in Window Rock.”

Like most Navajo cowboys, Billy is proud of Spud Jones and Derrick Begay.

“It showed all those white people that we’re good too,” he said. “It’s in the blood for Navajo people.”

Rodeo is a good sport for kids to compete in, he encouraged.

“I used to buck off a lot when I was small, but I kept on doing it and now it paid off,” Billy said. “Always keep your head up and someday it will pay off.”

Information: www.navajonationfair.com