During a visit to the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Whiteriver, Ariz., Bernalda Rustin, who works in the finance department at the housing authority, shared some exciting news with us.
Bernalda’s three children participate in rodeo events on a regular basis and specialize in beginner bull riding events. They’ve had a busy (and successful) few months.
On Aug. 1-4 in Abilene, Texas, Chasity (age 7), Chrispin (age 9), and Cody (age 12) all competed in the Youth Bull Riders World Finals, after qualifying through the New Mexico Junior Bull Riders Association. Chasity placed ninth overall in calf riding, Chrispin placed 13th overall in junior steers, and Cody competed in senior steers (similar to pee-wee bulls) and won World Champion Senior Steer Rider!
Next up was Farmington, N.M., for the New Mexico State Finals, which were held Sept. 14-16. At this competition, Chasity made 5.97 seconds on the Brahman calf named “Billy,” a calf she had been anxious to ride all year. Chasity bested both of her brothers’ prior times on the same bull. She finished in fourth place overall and was the only girl competing!
Chrispin competed in steer riding and won the New Mexico State Champion Steer Rider title by one point! Cody competed in the Pee-Wee Bulls division, which he just moved up to this year. These bulls are a little bigger than senior steers. Going into the last round he was in the lead by 30 points and by the end of the competition, Cody won the New Mexico State Championship finals by more than 35 points!
Keep your eyes on these kids — I’m sure we’ll be seeing them competing in Professional Bull Riding events in the upcoming years!