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.   

This Month we are recognizing a Navajo girl who rodeo's in Northern California.  Nicole Tsosie has been riding horses since the age of 6.  

                                        Nicole's           Mom, Iris Tsosie provided us several pictures of Nicole competing and candid shots of her and her horses.  Indian Rodeo News has selected a few of the photos for the Indian Rodeo News 2003 calendar.  

Below is a story about Nicole, provided by her Mom Iris.  

Nicole Nichelle Tsosie (age 10) is of the Navajo Nation born in Phoenix,  Arizona to Faron and Iris Tsosie. Nicole moved from Buckeye, Arizona to 
Northern California (Eureka). Parents were transferred for their jobs; both parent's occupation is in Nuclear Power Generation. 



Nicole's grandfather is a PRCA Rodeo judge and is no stranger to rodeos himself.   Albert Slivers has 
competed in rodeos since 1968. He has also been successful in winning buckles, saddles and Championship Titles for Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping and All Around Cowboy in the mid 70's.   A back injury has taken it's toll on his performance ability so to stay active with the rodeo world  he loves he is judging rodeo's today and enjoys it very much. 




Nicole began riding horses at the age of 6. Nicole's Father would allow her to ride his Heel horse "Money" prior to and after rodeos.  To our surprise 
Nicole's riding abilities succeeded very well as though she had been riding  for many years. At the same time she also became fascinated with barrel 
racing and other rodeo events. So we decided to upgraded her horse to a real barrel racing horse who was "Riley"- AQHA. Shortly after our new purchase we found out that Riley was also quite talented as well. He was an  "All Around Horse" proficient in several events like Team Roping (Head & Heel), Breakaway, Pole Bending and Goat Tying.   We thought we were just  getting an Barrel Racing horse. 



Needless to say that was not the only surprise Riley had in store for us.  One evening after work, 3 months after our purchase we receive a phone call 
from a lady asking if "I HAVE" not "OWN" a horse name "Puttin On the Rex"  (Riley's AQHA registered name). For 12 years she has been searching for this horse. My first thought was "Oh, my gosh..... we bought a stolen horse.   Her ex-husband  sold the horse as a yearling through a divorce.   She just wanted to bring the horse home to his family. We established a strong relationship and had made a promise to send Riley home when Nicole retired him. Riley never went home  to see his family but even today we keep in touch with Kasey Papera through emails and phone calls. 



Nicole and Riley became a pair that were unbelievable. They traveled everywhere they could possibly go to compete or better yet.... where Dad or 
Mom could drive them. The two were quite a success and definitely a team. 

They both practiced hard and gave it their all. They would fight with each  other, they would love each other but most definitely took care of one another and trusted each other. For example: Nicole would walk into  Riley's stall and if he was laying down she would crawl on his back, place a halter on him while sitting on his back. Riley would slowly sit up right to 
his hind end looking around to see if Nicole was secure as he is chomping on what was in his mouth. Nicole would give a little snug to Riley's mane and 
he would stand up to his feet and walk out of the stall. Not a normal thing you see with any horse. Other comical things they did together was the goat 
tying event. As Nicole dismounts off Riley to tie the goat, Riley would run back over to Nicole and look over her shoulder to see what she was doing 
with the goat. Rodeo officials would try to chase him away but he wouldn't leave Nicole. He use to also follow Nicole to the concession stand, wait 
outside the porta-potties for Nicole without anyone holding him, just hanging out at the John...waitin' on Nicole. He was a very important part of my child's everyday life, her best-friend she misses so much. 



Nicole learned to Team Rope (Heading) and Breakaway Rope off of Riley at the 
age of 8 years old. We took Nicole to many rodeos, jackpot ropings, barrel races throughout the Western States. One of their favorite places was the 
Booger Barter Team Ropings in Arizona and California. People were always so shocked at her age and her ability to perform as well as she does. In my mind and heart I always thanked God for blessing us with a wonderful animal that takes care of our child and also teaching her the treasures she exhibits.

 Nicole is a very shy quiet little girl who weights about 61 pounds soaking wet but she has a heart of gold when it comes to her rodeo events. 



The following summer at the age of 9 Nicole won 4 buckles and also claimed two All Around Champion Titles, Champion Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing titles at several Jr. rodeos. Later that year Nicole won another buckle, her first Team Roping buckle. Team roping was the only remaining event she had not yet won a buckle in. Nicole was so excited she meant her goal for that year and that was to win a buckle in every event she competed in with 
Riley. After returning home from a victorious weekend Riley passed away unexpectantly and suddenly to a twisted gut.  Riley had a big heart and gave all his love and strength to help Nicole reach her year end goal. He will always be remembered for the lifelong gift he gave my child and that is the ability to learn, strive and accomplish the talent of rodeo. 



Today at the age of 10 Nicole has moved on to several new horses to continue the rodeo circuit. It has been a struggle for her this year with several 
new horses and learning each one's needs. She made it to the Jr. Rodeo Finals this year. Only the top 10 competitors compete at the finals. 

Nicole went to the finals sitting in 9th place position and overcame her obstacles and finished in 4th place. Nicole competes in Team Roping 
(Heading), Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying and Steer Stopping which consist of Boys and Girls between the ages of 6-18. 
During the winter months (non-rodeo season) she travels with her Dad to jackpot ropings. This Thanksgiving break Nicole will be traveling to visit 
Grandpa Albert in Avondale, Arizona. She will also be entering several Team Roping jackpots in the Phoenix area with Grandpa, Dad and her Uncles. 



Nicole's new horses since Riley's passing are: 
6 year old Black Mare (Rassie) - Breakaway roping, Barrel Racing and Team Roping (Heeling) 
15 year old Sorrel Gelding (Cash) -Team Roping (Heading) and Barrel Racing,  12 Year old Bay Gelding (Spanky) - Team Roping (Heading & Heeling), Goat  Tying and Pole Bending 


Indian Rodeo News would like to thank Iris Tsosie for providing us all of these wonderful pictures of Nicole and her horses.  We are sadden to read that Riley passed away, and our readers know exactly what Nicole, her Mom and Dad went through when they lost him.    Horses like "Riley" are extra blessed, and when they are paired up with a talented young rider like Nicole,  event Championships and many buckles and awards are easily won.   Maybe "Riley" will be nominated in to the Indian Rodeo News Hall of Fame for "Horses".....this horse definitely deserves to be recognized!  

We hope to see more of Nicole and her success with her love to rodeo.   Indian Youth will enjoy reading this story, and viewing the pictures, they will realize they can do the same thing, as long as they have family support and the love for horses.  

Below are all of the pictures of Nicole, click on them to enlarge.  Note: All pictures are not to be copied for any use, these pictures are provided by Iris Tsosie for Indian Rodeo News only!