2004 Eastern Indian Rodeo Association Awards Banquet

By Emma Brown

HOLLYWOOD — The Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA) ended the 2003–2004 rodeo season with an awards banquet held Oct. 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The evening began at 7 p.m. with nominations and elections for the 2004–2005 rodeo season directors. The next season will be underway in November with the first rodeo being held Thanksgiving day in Alabama.

The outgoing directors also added a special awards section to this year’s banquet by presenting awards for best event horses, bull, stock contractor, announcer, pick up man, and bullfighter. Every year there are animals and people behind the scenes that help make every rodeo a success and the directors of the EIRA wished to award those that were most outstanding.

Once nominations and elections were completed and the tally count was underway, a delicious dinner was served for all of the guests while they waited for the results to come in. Before announcing the winners of the special awards and the new EIRA officers, President Alex Johns presented sponsors with nice plaques to thank them for all of their support throughout the year.

After presenting plaques, the new officers and special awards were handed out. The 2004–2005 EIRA officers are: President Amos Tiger, Vice President Paul Bowers Sr., Secretary/Treasurer Jo Jumper, Bareback Director Adam Turtle, Saddle Bronc Director Sydney Gore, Bull Riding Director Paul Bowers Jr., Steer Wrestling Director Jeff Johns, Calf Roping Director Josh Jumper, Team Roping Director Reno Osceola, Women’s Breakaway Director Billie Tiger, Barrel Racing Director Trina Bowers, Special Events Director Moses Jumper.

All special award winners are listed at the end of the story along with all award winners.

Following the presentation of the plaques was the presentation and awards for all of the year end winners for the kid’s events and sanctioned events. There were beautiful buckles, spurs, breast collars, and stirrups given to the winners.

The all-around cowboy, Naha Jumper, and all-around cowgirl, Shelby Osceola was presented with beautiful custom made saddles. President Johns then continued with the recognition of the association directors.

Without the directors of the association EIRA would not be possible. They are the back bone of the EIRA and it is their duty to make sure that each year runs as smoothly as possible. Each director was presented with a gorgeous cow hide day planner with their initials engraved on it for appreciation of all of their hard work and dedication.

The evening was a great ending to another great year of rodeo. Good luck to all of the contestants that will be representing the EIRA in Soboba, Calif.

2004 Sanctioned Event Winners:

Bareback: Champion Adam Turtle, Reserve Champion Alex Johns.

Saddle Bronc: Champion Shawn Best, Reserve Champion Sydney Gore.

Steer Wrestling: Champion Robbie Chalfant, Reserve Champion Naha Jumper.

Calf Roping: Champion Naha Jumper, Reserve Champion Happy Jumper.

Women’s Breakaway Roping: Champion Shelby Osceola, Reserve Champion Billie Tiger.

Team Roping: Champion Header Josh Jumper, Reserve Champion Header Marvin Bowers, Champion Heeler Naha Jumper, Reserve Champion Heeler- Trina Bowers.

Women’s Barrel Racing: Champion Tess Ducheneaux, Reserve Champion Sheyanna Osceola.

Bull Riding: Champion Shawn Best, Reserve Champion Koty Brugh.

Non-Sanctioned Events:

Mutton Busting: Champion Kalgary Johns, Reserve Champion Josh Johns.

Calf Riding: Champion Andre Jumper, Reserve Champion Josh Johns.

Steer Riding: Champion Adam Phillips.

Junior Bull Riding: Champion Ethan Gopher, Reserve Champion Justin Aldridge.

Pony Riding: Champion William Bearden, Reserve Champion Jacoby Johns.

Junior Bareback Riding: Champion Jacoby Johns, Reserve Champion Seth Randolph.

Barrels (4-8 years old): Champion Acealyn Youngblood, Reserve Champion Andre Jumper.

Barrels (9-12 years old): Champion Nauthkee Henry, Reserve Champion Zane Ducheneaux.

Barrels (13-18 years old): Champion Leanna Billie, Reserve Champion Jade Braswell.

50 & Over Breakaway: Champion Moses Jumper Jr., Reserve Champion Rudy Osceola.

Special Awards:

Bareback horse of the year: Rocking 86’s “Jungle Fever,” Saddle bronc horse of the year: Marki’s “Myron’s Delight,” Bucking bull of the year: Marki’s “Jam On It,” Heading Horse of the year: Josh Jumper’s “Mack,” Heeling horse of the year: Naha’s “Money,” Steer wrestling horse of the year: Jeff Johns’ “Boogie,” Calf roping horse of the year: Josh Jumper’s “Peaches,” Breakaway horse of the year: Shelby Osceola’s “Yeller,” Barrel racing horse of the year: Tess Ducheneaux’s “Nellie,” Announcer of the year: Norman Edwards, Bullfighter of the year: Cody Lewis, Pick-up man of the year: Greg “Spook” Whidden, Stock contractor of the year: Marki Rodeo Company.