Native Youth 

This is a brand new page added to Indian Rodeo News.  Our goal here is to recognize all Indian children and teenagers who ride horses, rodeo, ranch, and kids who participate in taking pictures at events.

Each month starting with December 2002 we will try to feature a Indian Youth who is active in riding horses, rodeo, ranching, and photography.   


Do you know a Native Indian Youth who has worked hard to achieve their goals and accomplishments?  Would you like to be featured as a Native Youth role model?  Any Native youth ages 21 and under can be featured.  

Indian Rodeo News asks for you to send in your story about yourself, who inspired you to ride, rodeo, ranch, etc.     We welcome as many pictures you have to share with our readers.  Email your questions and or story to 
Gina@indianrodeonews.com 
or contact our IRN reporter's Lizzie Dixey, Colleen Crawler, and Sheila Totten.  

To Read about the featured Native Youth from the previous months click on their names below to check out their stories and pictures.

December 2002: Nicole Tsosie
January 2003:  Kayonnie Badonie
February 2003: Whitney O'Rourke
March 2003: Charles Gottfriedson
April 2003:  Jenna Johnson, Liana Tom 
May 2003: Devyn Dennison, Jarrett Monroe 

This month of June we are featuring Ethan Gopher

Ethan Gopher - "Cowboy by choice"
By Lizzie Dixey - IRN.Com

 

Ethan Gopher is a member of the Seminole Tribe. He resides in Brighton Florida, at the Tender age of 11 years old, Ethan is a Fourth Generation cowboy, "I guess rodeo just runs in my blood" states Gopher. "I'm a cowboy by choice!"




He started to gain his experience in rodeo at the young age of three years old, competing in the Mutton Bustin event, at the Speckled Pirch Rodeo, in Brighton. 

Ethan now competes in many events: Barrel Racing (on his horse Lil' John), Wild Pony Riding, Steer Riding, and Jr. Bull Riding. He is currently a member of the Eastern Rodeo Association (EIRA) & Southern Florida Jr. Rodeo Association (SFJRA).





Some of his goals are to try to win every time he competes, and to compete in the Pro Bull Riders (PBR) Finals, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan attends Central Elementary, in Oakachobee, and is in the Fifth Grade.

 Besides rodeo, Ethan is very talented, he rides his Dirt Bikes in his spare time, Loves to go Hog Hunting with Family and Friends "Hog Hunting, is a sport to us down here in the South", He also enjoys playing Football. This past May, Ethan and his family traveled to Tampa Bay, to compete in the State Bowling Championships. 

And this July he and his family will also travel to New York, to compete in a School functioned, Tribal Nations Baseball Tournament. 

"My Idols in life are my Uncle Justin Gopher, he helps me reach higher, and he rides big bulls, My Mom, she keeps me going with all of her encouragement." "My favorite rodeo in my career so far, was in Co-Co Beach, Florida, when I covered my first Steer, in the Steer Riding event and took first place." 




What would you like to see at the INFR in the future? 

"I would like to see more youth my age competing there."

" What do you think about Indianrodeonews.com?

  "Its really cool, It gives me an idea of what I want to do, and its cool to see different tribes represented on it."
Last words- "I hope to keep riding, accomplish my goals, and keep the rodeo tradition alive in my family."

"I would like to Thank Ethan and Family for taking the time to sit down out of their busy lives and let me Interview him."




God Bless Ethan & his Family - Lizzie Dixey - IRN.Com