06/08/2026
We woke up this morning, the sun peaking over the canyon walls, the birds chirping, the dust settled, and an empty arena. One that has boots prints in and out and all around. Strings from ropes around the roping chutes. Hoof prints that lead into trailer tracks who drove back off onto the dirt road. Latched chain fences that don’t have a single eeek-sound when you swing it open because it’s still greased up. The green bucking chutes that remain in place, locked up, waiting for the next time they’ll be cracked opened again.
We closed our eyes last night and remembered all the faces we got to see. The different horses, all shapes, all colors, the smiles riding down the arena. The whoop and hollering from the chutes, the volunteered helping of a hand, the tractor inside the arena, the bulls showing off with pride in their walk when the cowboy walks away, the crowd sitting in their chairs or behind the vehicles. And mainly the JPS Arena sign that was graced with everyone’s presence.
We want to thank all of our sponsors, stock contractors, Ganado EMS, judges- Avery Jodie/Ivan Becenti, timers- Samceita Begay/Arlene Roanhorse, tractor driver- Vanessa Begay, water truck- Victor Begay/Ganado Fire Department, bull fighters- KelKenny Watchman/Maurice Peters, pick up men- Francis Tsosie/Lyle Laughin/Ferwin Begay, announcer- Harlan Thompson, concession crew, admission personnel, CES personnel, gate openers, stripping chute helpers, rodeo spectators, fans, family, friends, and last but not the least indeed, our contestants. You contestants are our main priority and we thank you for entering our rodeo to show case your talent in our arena for a chance at 100% payback money. We hope you all enjoyed your time spent in Beshbetoh Valley.
Stock contractors: A&M Cattle Company, Carl Begay Roping Stock, Beshbetoh Bucking Horses, 3C’s Rodeo Broncs, 4B Bucking Bulls, Cody Jesus Bucking Bulls
Sponsors: Sacred Sky Hat Works, Francis Tsosie Jr. & Family, Rabbit Point Venture, Clark’s Custom Bull Ropes, MX Bull Rope, Lloyd Memorial, George Cook Jr. & Family, Owens Construction, Julian Todacheenie & Family, JDub Creations, Keyonnie Family, Iris Pete, PJ Running Horses, Angels VS Drunk Drivers, Jerry’s Cafe, Shirley Pete, Dr. Buu Nygren, Wooded Hill AZ, Leigh Toadelena, Sip-N-Spur, M. Etsitty, 4 Arrows, Paul Family, Begay Family, Ashkie Antone, 4 Seasons Construction, Hatch Family Farms, James Begay Jr Creations, Shane Anderson Leather, Shauna Curley & Family, Rafter LK, Dusty Yazzie & Family, Ludlam Family, Cody Jesus/CJI, Native Land Insurance, and the BBT Family. Welding Services: Darren Pete & Family and Jesse Goldtooth.
You all played a major roll in making this one day for us possible.
In addition to giving back, our family spotlights one event each year. The selected event has a Top Four Showdown for an additional amount of money. We enjoy a great thrill from the roping chute, this year our Ladies Breakaway Roping Rope Off Champion is hometown cowgirl Jareth Curley. A big thank you to Owens Family/Construction and KP Fence, Shade & Transportation for generously donating $500 each. Jareth was one our our Top 4 rope off competitors from 2025. With all no times in 2025 we rolled over the cash prize to 2026. The excitement was building up as the first three girls were unable to get a time, but second time was a charm yesterday as Jareth roped her calf and $1,000 was awarded to her.
We appreciate Cody Jesus for generously gracing our event with a Top Four Ride Off event in the bull riding. All the way from Saw Mill, Arizona, Cody hauled 4 bulls over. All eager to put the cowboys to the test to see who wanted a secured invitation to his 2026 Cody Jesus Invitational Bull Riding in Window Rock, Arizona. Four nods were made and Wyatt Nez was the only rider to hang on for the 8 seconds to be our ride off champion. Our spectators came early and stayed until the last buck out. As much as we wanted to see who the winner was going to be, we also enjoyed watching his own animal athletes have their time in the arena. The bulls brought their A game, and we too look forward to attending his event next month.
In conjunction with our rodeo we had Jr Breakaway, Sr Breakaway, and Sr Team roping added into the mix. A big round of applause to Carl Begay, Victor Begay, and family for providing their own stock, $100 cash award to the event winners, and mainly for encouraging us to add these events. Our goal is to educate and encourage the next generation of ropers and bring the tough grit of 50 plus cowboys into the arena to show us all how it’s done. Young at heart, but the best years of experience and knowledge under their belt. We know most of the Sr cowboys rodeo’d with our cowboy who watched from heaven, JPS. What great friends, who were more like brothers, he had. We appreciate them for always encouraging us to keep going, a reminder that they’re proud of us just like he would be.
Clear the way for the Jr Barrel Racers. A big thank you to the Rafter LK family from Dilkon who wanted to sponsor the event. They provided added money and awards for all the little cowgirls who placed. We are more than happy to be an outlet for family and friends who wish to support our rodeo by sponsoring an event. Our Rough Rock family, Dusty Yazzie & family, who sponsored more added money to the pot. We appreciate the support given to the youth contestants. More so, the little girls’ smiles were the best part as they turned the third barrel and raced home. One they will remember forever, and that’s what starts the fire for them to always want to keep going.
The green colored chutes stood bold, the green roping chute opened smooth with each run, and around the whole arena, behind the top rail that was painted green, we had faces with smiles and cheers. The newly transformed arena was built in honor of a cowboy we miss dearly, and we’re sure he himself had a perfect seat up above. When you meet new people, make new friends, make a connection, one of the first questions asked is, “where are you from?” With each passing year we hope you all, our contestants, and spectators, get to see more of a glimpse of who we are as a family. This is home for us. It’s raised generations of cowboys and cowgirls. It’s been a provider that feeds our animals and keeps them safe. It’s the place he, Jerome Pete Sr. built, natured, and left for his family to live on. We come from Beshbetoh, Arizona and we thank you for coming out to share the day with us. Until next time, we hope you all had a safe travel home to where you hang your hat by the days end. We hope to see you all again at the JPS Arena.
