A new bull riding champ has been recently crowned at this year’s Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Now, he has an automatic chance to go pro with the PBR — Professional Bull Riders — unlike other tribal athletes before him.
With a gold buckle in-hand, Cole Brewer, who is Cheyenne River Sioux from Eagleview, South Dakota, can try out for the New York Mavericks. The franchise typically extends a dozen or so invites, but is guaranteeing one spot on its training camp roster for the reigning INFR world titleholder.
It’s a change the PBR made last year.
“Our relationship with the INFR is really opening up a lot of doors for these kids,” said Chris Pantani, general manager for the New York Mavericks. “It’s giving that extra shot, but those five days of competition are daunting. It’s grueling, five big bulls to the championship.”
Past INFR champs already have a presence in the PBR today. Two former top prize-winners are currently competing in the big league, and they’re both Navajos from Arizona: Window Rock’s Cody Jesus and JaCauy Hale from Ganado.
Despite neither of them riding for Arizona’s team, they were still fan-favorites and got hometown welcomes all weekend-long inside Desert Diamond Arena during the annual Ridge Rider Days earlier this month.
“INFR gave me a little stepping stool, but now what INFR has done in the PBR, it’s a big step,” said Jesus, who won his prestigious title in 2016 and now rides for the Nashville Stampede. “And a shot to be on the team, that’s something that rarely comes and I hope that every bull rider at the INFR knows, because it’s a straight path to where you want to go.”
As for Hale, he grabbed INFR glory back in 2023 — before being the No. 17 overall draft pick to join the Arizona Ridge Riders last year. Now, with the Oklahoma Wildcatters, he’s happy Brewer is getting a shot in the PBR, adding “it’s a good opportunity, wish I had that when I won it.”
The New York Mavericks are also looking to bring back last year’s champ, Teigan Gray, who is also Cheyenne River Sioux from Eagle Butte, South Dakota — with Pantani explaining “you want the riders to step up.”
“If Teigan accepts, you’ll have the reigning champion coming down,” he added. “You’re going to have the past champion coming down, fighting for a spot on the team. That’s what you want.”
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