Rodeo is an integral sport to Indian Country and the Indian National Finals Rodeo, the championship competition held each year in Las Vegas, is the largest and most prestigious single event for tribal members. The Finals are a celebration of horse culture and ranch lifestyle in Indian Country and feels more like a family reunion than a cutthroat competition.
Formed in 1976, the Indian National Finals Rodeo sanctions nearly 700 rodeos nationwide, making it the largest and oldest Indian Rodeo Organization in the world. The Indian National Finals Rodeo works with a variety of youth rodeo associations as well the National High School Rodeo Association and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, creating a natural progression for the athletes climbing from the ranks of youth and college rodeo to professional rodeo.
The Rodeo Finals is held annually during November in Las Vegas at the South Point Equestrian Center. Contestants from as many as 75 Tribes compete in this national event for $1 million in prize money across eight major categories: bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, ladies barrel racing, and ladies breakaway roping.
- The 2015 Miss Indian Rodeo is Devalyn “Shileen” Crowe. Devalyn’s Native name “Shileen” means “little girl”.
- Some of the top bucking horses at the Las Vegas rodeo are pastured in Montana.
