Event honors the REGION’S elite rodeo champs

WINDOW ROCK – The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President  will recognize the Team Navajo cowboys for the second annual Team Navajo appreciation dinner at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino and Resort on Jan. 21, 2016 at 5 pm.

“We are proud of our Navajo cowboys that continue to represent the Nation well in the professional rodeo arenas,” President Russell Begaye said. “Their hard work and determination to excel in their sport speaks volumes to our Native Youth. We are excited to recognize their efforts during this time.”

Team Navajo consists of the following professional athletes: Derrick Begay, Kassidy Dennison and Erich Rogers.

Rogers along with Cory Petska placed 3rd in Team Roping at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Pro Rodeo Wrangler National Finals. Rogers is currently ranked 7th in the world as a Team Roping Header.

Begay along with Clay O’Brien Cooper placed 2nd in Team Roping for Elite Rodeo Athletes 2016 World Championship.

Dennison placed 2nd in Barrel Racing for Elite Rodeo Athletes 2016 World Championship.

“Congratulations to the Team Navajo rodeo contestants for their participation in the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the 2016 ERA World Championship,” Vice-President Jonathan Nez said. “Representing the Navajo Nation in the biggest arenas for rodeo is an inspiring accomplishment.”

This appreciation dinner is a gesture of the Begaye-Nez Administration’s continuous support of our Navajo Professional Rodeo Athletes.

“Let’s not forget our many other talented Navajo athletes competing across the board, from running, football, basketball, volleyball and other sports,” Nez said. “Navajos are natural athletes and we are taking things to the next level.”

Entertainment will be provided by Pax Harvey and Miss Navajo Nation Rhonda Joe. The event will be followed by a meet and greet with Team Navajo and a country-western dance featuring Stateline.

There will be a meet and greet with Team Navajo comprised of the featured Navajo cowboys.

OPVP extends the invitation to the general public to join in honoring our champion Navajo rodeo athletes.

Tickets for the dinner will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to 500. Tickets will be sold at OPVP through Jan. 20 at 4 pm. Tickets will also be available in limited number at the door.

Registration for the dinner at Twin Arrows will open at 2 pm on Jan. 21. Adult tickets are $20 and children under 10 years old are $10.

Cash and money order are the only accepted forms of payment. Please make money orders payable to: Twin Arrows Navajo Casino & Resort and include the booking ID number: 4152.

Tickets for the dance starting at 9 pm featuring Stateline can be purchased separately from the dinner event. These tickets will be $15 per person or $25 for couples. There will be two separate wristbands available for purchase, one for the dinner and one for the dance.

To book your lodging at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino & Resort for the event, mention the booking ID number: 4160.

For further information or any questions please call Charity Sam at (928) 810-8505. Send all email correspondence to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it