Student Spotlight Vol. 1
Savannah Joe, Freshman at AZ Compass Prep, and member of the Gila River Indian Community. Qualified for her first Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in the Jr. Breakaway event in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 22-26, 2019 at the South Point Equestrian Center.
Savannah competed three (3) regions of the INFR, her home region is Region 12 – Southwest Indian Rodeo Association (SWIRA), Region 6 – Navajo Nation Rodeo Association (NNRA) and Region 2 – Western States Indian Rodeo Association (WSIRA). Savannah and her Dad Wesley put in a lot of miles traveling with the ultimate goal of qualifying to the INFR. In the three regions she competed in Ladies Barrel Racing, Jr. Barrel Racing and Jr. Breakaway in the WSIRA only. The road to Vegas took her to Sells, AZ; Peridot, AZ; Bylas, AZ; San Carlos, AZ; Kayenta, AZ; Page, AZ; Okmulgee, OK; Table Mesa, NM; Pinehill, NM; Dulce, NM; Crownpoint, NM; Hoopa, CA; Chiloquin, OR; and Wadsworth, NV. During the WSIRA Region Finals, she won the Jr. Breakaway and was the Year End point winner for the region as well. She was also competing to qualify in the Ladies and Jr. Barrel Racing but came up short in all three regions.
The INFR is comprised of 13 Regions, Savannah represented WSIRA and competed against 33 other Jr. Breakaway Ropers, the top 10 qualify to the finals. On her first day of competition she roped her calf in 2.83 to place 5th, her second day of competition she roped her calf in 2.73 to place 4th and qualified to the finals with the second fastest time on two head, 5.57. She was a no time on her final calf, she finished her 2019 INFR year 7th in the World.
I have learned that winning is not everything, it is nice, but it is more important to have fun and enjoy competing.
From Savannah – I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given to compete and excel in a sport I have so much passion for. I enjoy competing and always give it my all when in the arena. I have learned that winning is not everything, it is nice, but it is more important to have fun and enjoy competing. I give credit to my parents for allowing me and driving me to compete and travel to many different reservations throughout Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oklahoma, Oregon and Nevada. I also give a lot of credit to my horse Willa without her we would not be headed to Vegas.
To prepare for the INFR Savannah was mentored and coached by 2014 INFR World Champion Breakaway Roper Bobbie Riggs, she is also from Gila River.
Savannah will begin her 2020 rodeo season at the San Carlos Veterans Day INFR Tour rodeo in San Carlos, Arizona Veterans Day weekend.
AZCP and Skyline Education are proud of all your hard work and success!