Ak-Chin Indian Community Masik Tas Rodeo thrills fans

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Congratulations Tustin Daye for winning the 2016 Ak-Chin Indian Community Masik Tas Bull Bash

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Night photography at the Ak-Chin Indian Community Masik Tas Celebration. FREE Carnival/Fun Zone Entertainment for the whole family at Ak-Chin Circle Field!
#MasikTas2016

Each year, the Ak-Chin Indian Community hosts Masik Tas or Birthday events in December to recognize the official organization of the community. This year offered many fun events including concerts/live traditional entertainment, a parade, and a carnival/funzone. But for rodeo aficionados, it was all about the rodeo events held December 9-11 at Ak-Chin Circle Field.

On Friday, the Ak-Chin Indian Community Masik Tas All Indian Jr. Rodeo began at 9 a.m., with junior events for native competitors. Kids up to age 17 competed in events that included sheep riding, dummy roping, goat tying, barrel racing, steer riding, and bull riding. The age divisions were: Buckaroos, age 5 and under; Pee Wee, ages 6-9; Junior Division, ages 10-13; and Senior Division, ages 14-17. Event winners received custom belt buckles made by Kendra Williams, Sterling on Steel. First place in Team Roping was Brandon Ben and Ty Romo. Blaine Redhorse and Kyle Romo claimed second place, and Shea Enos and Steve Romo placed third.

Danny O’Donnell, Tustin Daye, Gabe Lopez and Aaron Kuhl at the 2016 Ak-Chin Indian Community Masik Tas Bull Bash

On Saturday, December 10, the Ak-Chin Masik Tas Bull Bash featured rodeo and riding events including open and novice bull riding, and what a thrill to watch. Event winners received custom belt buckles, and open bull riding champion Tustin Daye received a saddle and $1,000 as the grand prize.

Gabe Lopez and Brittany Sourjohn at the 2016 Ak-Chin Indian Community Masik Tas Team Roping event

Other events on Saturday included a team Wild Horse Race and Calf Dressing, a competition among participants from the Ak-Chin Indian Community departments. And the winner is, UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle, what a fun team and congratulations!

Sunday, December 11 was the final day of the rodeo, with roping events including team roping. Winners, along with the #5 and under roper and the #6 and over roper, received high money and new saddles. Other fun on Sunday at the arena included the Ak-Chin Masik Tas “mannequin challenge”, where riders and their horses stay as still as possible for as long as they can. The mannequin challenge is known throughout the United States and is being shared on all social media from families, to events, to schools and etc. It’s outrageously fun!

Once again, the Masik Tas Rodeo offered thrills and fun for all who participated and attended! Congratulations to all winners and participants.

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Carolyn Sostrom

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.