Rodeo is an integral sport in 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 as 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 in November at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. 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.
Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) is a non-profit group promoting Indian rodeo across the United States and Canada. The country is split into regions with regional rodeos and larger rodeos called Tour rodeos. The cowboys and cowgirls then qualify for the INFR in Las Vegas, NV. You may go to www.infr.org for information on all the events that are sanctioned by this 40-year-old organization that promotes Indian rodeo,
The INFR has been in existence since 1976. "Our mission is to provide, promote and preserve the advancement of Professional Indian Rodeo by empowering families, youth and communities through positive role modeling, educational opportunities, competition, culture and tradition."
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