Northern Plains 

Indian Rodeo Association

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The Northern Plains Indian Rodeo Association (NPIRA) formed in 2005 encompasses eastern Montana including the Crow, Northern Cheyenne and Fort Peck Reservations and includes Yellowstone County.  For the first time in the 30-year history of the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR), the Indian cowboys and cowgirls in this area have been approved to form a region and qualify contestants for the annual Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR).

The 2005 NPIRA rodeo season exceeded expectations in membership base and rodeo production.  The NPIRA became the largest INFR region with 270 plus members.  Nine rodeos were held in the 2005 season paying out more than $222,066.  The annual Crow Fair served as the NPIRA’s 2005 Tour Rodeo.  The NPIRA regional finals were held in Crow Agency, MT paying out $28,934.  See rodeo results. 

Previously, this area fell under the United Indian Rodeo Association based in Browning Montana.  Eastern Montana Indian rodeo contestants attended UIRA or other regions in Idaho and South Dakota in order to qualify for the Indian National Finals.  In the INFR’s 30 year history, these contestants have ranked among the top qualifiers of the INFR posting 16 world championships, as well as qualifying 40 other contestants for the annual “superbowl” of Indian rodeo.

The NPIRA was previously known as the Crow Rodeo Association (CRA) formed in 2002 in an effort to enhance rodeo competition among Crow cowboys and cowgirls.  Additionally, the CRA offered a local circuit for competition.  The CRA evolved from a District Rodeo competition held in June 2001 during Crow Native Days in Crow Agency, Montana.  In 2004, the CRA expanded to an all-Indian format and just fewer than 150 members successfully producing 8 rodeos on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservation.  The past success of the CRA was evidence that the NPIRA had the contestant base and ability to produce successful rodeos to sustain a region.

 

Region Members Represented at 2005 INFR

UIRA - 35

IRCA - 30

NPIRA - 26

SWIRA - 24

NNRCA - 21

GPIRA - 20

WSIRA - 18

RMIRA - 14

NANCA - 14

EIRA - 14

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