Local youth qualifies for bull riding finals

LOS CHAVEZ — Even with a wide brimmed cowboy hat and a large shiny silver belt buckle, Noah Dennison tops out at barely 50 pounds.

Despite his diminutive stature, the 7 year old from Bosque Farms has qualified for the Youth Bull Riders World Finals July 29-Aug. 2 in Abilene, Texas.

Don’t be alarmed. Noah won’t be riding bulls, but he has qualified to get onboard sheep and calves.

“It’s fun and they give away buckles,” are several reasons why Noah says he enjoys the competition.

Even though Noah’s mother, Shawana Dennison, grew up around rodeo, she didn’t anticipate that her son would latch onto the reins.

“I never expected it. I was a bit terrified,” Shawana admitted. “I’m scared when he gets on bigger stuff that are way bigger than him — he’s tiny,” compared to many of the other entrants.

Noah has a simple way of explaining any possible apprehension.

“Sometimes I’m scared,” Noah admitted. “Sometimes I’m not.”

Shawana may eventually get used to it. This will be Noah’s third trip to the YBRWF, qualifying by earning points in the Navajo Nation Junior Bull Riding Association circuit.

Noah, who often competes against older riders, placed third last year at the YBRWF in sheep riding.

This adventure started several years ago at a Professional Bull Riders event in North Carolina, where the family was watching Noah’s uncle, Keshawn Whitehorse in the arena.

“He was like, ‘OK, I want to try it,’” Shawana said about Noah’s reaction. “He tried it and he loved it.”

Natural ability is part of Noah’s success but so is doing the dirty work.

“He practices very hard at it,” says his mother. “He has a barrel (training device) at home. He comes and gets on live animals when he can” at Lazy Rockin’ M Ranch in Los Chavez, under the tutelage of relatives and ranch owner Scott McCloud.

In addition to learning inside the arena, Noah rewatches videos of himself, especially when the ride doesn’t go well.

“When I do something wrong, I buck off. When I do everything right, I stay on,” Noah explained.

His mom says Noah is a quick study.

“He fixes what he needs to fix.” she said. “He’s a good learner.”

In contrast to the rough and tumble reputation of a rodeo cowboy, Noah has a softer side. At Bosque Farms Elementary School, where he will be a second-grader, Noah enjoys art class.

“You do painting and stuff, and do objects that you can take home,” he said.

Where the road leads Noah in the future is unclear, but his mother says he will take it, "One rodeo at a time.”

However, people tell Noah, “Hey, we’ll see you on the big screen soon.”

Whether that means television, movies or the Jumbotron at the PBR Finals, stay tuned.