The Ak-Chin Indian Community went above and beyond for this year’s Masik Tas Celebration. A few of the highlights this year were the All-Indian Junior Rodeo, Masik Tas Bull Bash and Ak-Chin Team Roping. Over the past several years, Ak-Chin Indian Community Council member Lopez, a team of livestock owners in the community and the Ak-Chin Indian Community Public Works department, have been working tirelessly to make these events bigger and better.
The festivities started with the Junior Rodeo on Friday, Dec. 11. Kids ages 17 and under competed in a variety of events including sheep riding, calf dressing, ribbon roping, breakaway roping, team roping and stick horse racing according to their age groups. Hall of Fame bull rider Charlie Sampson was in attendance, helping with the Junior Rodeo and giving the young rodeo participants advice.
Saturday, Dec. 12 kicked off the Bull Bash that included the Wild Horse Races, a fan-favorite event. One could feel the excitement in the crowd as spectators watched the competitors hold onto the broncs while one member of the team saddled the horses, then another jumped on.
The pressure was on for cowboys in the novice and open bull riding divisions to cover their bull for eight seconds. Hunter Kelly, a local young gun bull rider came away with the prize pot that included $1,000 added by the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, a brand new Wrangler jean jacket and a gorgeous saddle.
Sunday, the last day of the rodeo event, was spent in the saddle during the Ak-Chin Roping. Ropers from across the Southwest convened in the Ak-Chin Rodeo Arena for a full day of roping. Brendan Ben won the #5 and under team roping title and Ty Romo won the #6 and over team roping. Both took home custom-made saddles and prize money for winning the Ak-Chin Roping.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community would like to thank everyone who made this incredible rodeo weekend possible. They also want to thank all the rodeo fans and spectators who came out to watch all the action unfold. Click on and hang on for more rodeo action from the Ak-Chin Indian Community!
