WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Camree Aday drove nearly four hours from Whiteriver, Ariz., with her horse to learn proper roping techniques from professional ropers Derrick Begay, Erich Rogers, and Aaron Tsingine at the Navajo Nation Youth Team Roping Clinic.
“They work like with you one-on-one, so that if you’re swinging a certain way and if it’s bad, they help you,” Aday said. “I think I’m getting better at the mechanics and the little things like how to dally and swing your rope a certain way.”
Aday’s experience at the free clinic, featuring professional team ropers who will compete at this weekend’s PRCA event at the Dean C. Jackson Arena, exemplifies the goal of cowboys like Tsingine and sponsor Native Land Insurance Services, Inc.
“We are giving back to the Native youth,” Tsingine said. “I’ve never been to a roping school myself. Derrick never has. Erich never has. If we can bring a roping school to these kids, we give them a positive mindset. That is the direction we are trying to lead these kids–We discipline them because that’s how we learned.”
The Youth Team Roping Clinic also featured Jake Barnes, Clay O’Brien Cooper, Matt Sherwood, Ty Romo, Myles John, and Dugan Kelly over two days, May 26 and May 27.
“You have to dally when you turn,” Barnes told the students, including Aday, over a microphone. “Good job, good job.”
Alvin Nez of Snowflake, Ariz., also traveled the long distance to participate in the professional instruction. Nez brought his 11-year-old granddaughter, who is among over 150 Native youth attending the free clinics.
“They’re learning the basics, fundamentals of actual team working itself,” Nez said. “These top professional cowboys are here and training them. We try to teach them. But it’s better for them to learn from professionals.”
Just days before the PRCA event, which is separate from the clinic, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren thanked Tsingine and the other Navajo ropers for creating a space for Native youth.
President Nygren met with the youth participating in the first day of the roping clinics and encouraged the young riders to not be discouraged with the advice and lessons being shared because it comes from a place of experience and love.
“That discipline is needed for these young people because it carries over to their everyday life and they grow up to be good contributors to society, it’s inspiring,” President Nygren said. “Access to professional mentoring like this from our own Navajo cowboys is priceless.”
