Begay Gets Lucky in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev.- Many rodeo athletes dreams of competing in Las Vegas at the National Finals Rodeo, but not many get to compete twice within weeks.

After a successful 2023 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo season, Derrick Begay won a grand total of $138,115 and finished fifth overall in the PRCA heading standings, qualifying for his 10th trip to the NFR.

October 18-22 the South Point Hotel is set to host the Indian National Finals Rodeo. Also qualifying for the 2023 INFR, Begay made the trek to Las Vegas this week representing the Navajo nation.

Begay won the INFR All-Around Title in 2007 and Team Roping Header World Champion in 2013.

Begay kicked of the finals winning round one with a 5.12 second run and winning $2,948. Coming back in round two Begay and his heeler, Brandon Ben, turned in a time of 4.97 seconds and win $2,440 each.

"I started roping, because my family did it," said Begay "So when I started doing it, I did it for the fun of it but then it became apart of of my life and turned into a job."

Not only is Begay roping incredibly at the INFR but for him it's a family affair with his father. Victor Begay is competing right there with him andand is one of this year's INFR Hall of fame inductees for his many years of roping and sharing his horses with many other indigenous competitors.

Victor Begay was the 2011 World Champion INFR heeler and the 2014 World Champion INFR Senior Breakaway roper.

Derrick Begay has truly been immersed in the sport of rodeo and team roping while growing up in it. Competing alongside family is a pillar of the INFR. Anywhere from 7 to 80 years old the INFR provides an opportunity to travel and compete, as a family.

Keep up with the Begays and all the other Native American competitors on the INFR website and Facebook page.