GON Horse & Rider Regalia Parade grows, adds Best of Show category
Best of Show and Women's first place winner Tashina Red Hawk.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It was the third year of the Horse & Rider Regalia Parade at Gathering of Nations, which pays tribute to the horse nation.
Shoshone-Bannock tribal member Rose Ann Abrahamson is a coordinator for the event and said it’s been pretty exciting to do. There were 17 contestants this year who come from all parts of Indian country.
She said the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are horse people.
“It’s something our people always believed in, to honor the four-leggeds and also our people believed in decorating and remembering those beings who helped us to where we’re at today and that’s why I do this.”
Sponsoring this year’s event were Amanda Cesar-Walker, Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel, NARAYA Cultural Preservation Council and Thundering Hooves. It was specifically the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel who supported the Best of Show Awards, which is judged upon the horses only and how they present themselves.
Abrahamson recalls the first year they did the event and there was only one category and with the support of others it has grown.
“I think it’s wonderful that the Indigenous culture is being presented here in that way and I’m very proud to represent the Shoshone-Bannock people and who we are because we’re horse people,” she said, adding she would like to see the Shoshone-Bannock riders represent in the future.
Male rider and horse in the parade.
Horse Parade Judges were chosen based on their experience, many long time beaders. Judges include Joseph Newman, Adam Nordwall, Keith Garcia, Charles Cypress, Adrian Stevens, Violet Olney, Debbie Tsosie Moosomin, Sean Snyder, Harriet Newman, Trish Heavy Runner and Chalene Toehay-Tartash.
Adrian Stevens explained he judged the contestants based upon looking at their different styles of beadwork, whether that be on the horses or the rider. As well as control of the horse and managing the crowd with the horse.
“We’re looking at all the different variations of presentation, of course we’re here to have fun and showcase a lot of our beautiful regalia and the different designs that come from different regions across Turtle Island. I’m glad to be here and be a part of this gathering,” he said.
Emceeing for the event was Bart Powaukee of Fort Duchesne, Utah. Levi Black Wolf performed the Horse Tail Dance along with the Black Eagle Singers. Special guests included the Miss Indian World Contestants, Gathering of Nations Founder Derek Matthews, Miss Navajo Nation Niagara A.C. Rockbridge and Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez welcomes the crowd with event emcee Bart Powaukee.
The Horse Parade Winners are as follows:
Women’s first place Tashina Re Hawk from Mission, S. Dakota; second place Andria Yellowmule (Jr. Miss Crow Fair 2022) and her horse Kola of Crow Agency, Mont.; third place A’Raya Yellowmule & Palamino Horse of Crow Agency, Mont.; fourth place Raquel Sam of Albuquerque, N.M.
Men’s first place Shane Red Hawk of Mission, S. Dakota; second place Noel Two Legging & (Horse No Name) of Crow Agency, Mont.; third place Rudolph Shebala & his Arabian horse Kahna of Window Rock, Ariz.; fourth place Shawn Backbone of Garryowen, Mont.
Best of Show first place Tashina Red Hawk of Mission S. Dakota. Consolations Shane Red Hawk of Mission, S. Dakota; A’Raya Yellowmule of Crow Agency, Mont.; Andria Yellowmule (Jr. Miss Crow Fair 2022) of Crow Agency, Mont.
