2019 Masik Tas All Indian Rodeo brings thrilling competition to Ak-Chin Indian Community

Each December, Masik Tas events commemorate the formal recognition of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. This year’s celebration included concerts, a carnival, a holiday light parade, and a full rodeo held December 13-15.

The All-Indian rodeo thrilled participants and fans alike with competition in bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and more. Ak-Chin Indian Community Vice Chairman Gabe Lopez and Council Member Lisa Garcia presented awards to the top winners in each category.

Two competitors received top recognition, Evan Betony as All-Around Champion Cowboy and Sarina Dehozy as All-Around Champion Cowgirl. Congratulations to all winners and participants for an outstanding rodeo!

Matthew Tuni took first place in bareback, Michael Bates topped Tie-Down Roping, and Jay Joaquin bested the saddle bronc competition. For Ladies’ Breakaway, Serena Dahozy took first place, while Kortney McReynolds topped Ladies Barrel Racing.

Other winners included Evan Betony for bull riding, Julius Figueroa for steer wrestling, Dwight Sells for Team Roping Header, and Cameron Tsinigine for Team Roping Heeler. For Ladies Team Roping Header, Recinda Yazzie placed first, while Jolene Yellowman topped the Ladies Team Roping Heeler category.

In the Century category, with contestants age 50 and older, Reggie Sells topped the Team Roping Header, and Victory Begay took the Century Team Roping Heeler. 

The event also included Four Tribes team events. For the 4 Tribes Team Roping Header, Clay Martinez took the top spot, and Ty Romo topped the 4 Tribes Team Roping Heeler category. Team Shotgun placed first in the Wild Horse Race category. 

This year’s Masik Tas theme was: “Our language is our medicine. We lose our language; we lose our medicine.”

If you missed the Masik Tas rodeo or other events, make sure to check them out next December! Events are open to all. 

Last Updated on 01/11/2020 by Carolyn Sostrom

About the Author:

Carolyn Sostrom

Biography:

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle.

She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*.

With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower.

She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.

Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.

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