Indian National Finals Rodeo
Indian National Finals Rodeo
Champion Biography

Derrick James Begay

2013 Team Roping Champion - Header

Age at time of Championship: 30
From:  Seba Dalkai, a small community on the Navajo Reservation, it is 50 miles north of Winslow, Arizona. 
Resides: When I’m not on the road I am at home in Seba Dalkai.  When I am on the road I reside wherever my living quarter is parked.
Tribal Affiliation: 99.9% Navajo – I am proud to be Native American!
Education:  Graduated for Winslow High School in 2001, Home of the Bulldogs and attended Northland Pioneer College where I obtained an Associate Degree in Industrial Arts.
Events Worked:  Team Roping but deep down inside I really wish I was a saddle bronc rider! 
INFR Qualifications:  6 
World Titles Won: 1
Best Memory of the 2013 INFR:  I finally accomplished my very first goal that I set as a little kid and it was even better to win it with my uncle James. 
Personal Information:  Dad – Victor Begay; Mom – Myrtle Begay; Sisters – Jaime and Brittany. 
Nickname(s):  I guess I was never cool enough for a nickname.  
Horse(s):  Swagger
Pet(s):  A dog - Emma
Pet peeve(s):  Rude people and losing my dally. 
Favorite Food:  My Mom’s cooking, Cracker barrel, Texas Road House, Outback, Waffle House, What A Burger, IHOP, and In and Out Burger. 
Favorite Sports Team:  I try to cheer for the under dogs! 
Favorite Sport Other Than Rodeo:  Basketball
Favorite Movie(s): Lonesome Dove, The Cowboys, Young Guns, & Dances with Wolves
Favorite Music:  Traditional
Most Influential Person(s):  My Parents

Favorite Athlete: 
Kaycee Field, Trevor Knowles, Cody Wright, Sherry Cervi, JB Mauney, JW Harris, Clay O’ Brien Cooper, and Kobe Bryant
 
Something People Don't Know About You: 
I can’t swim.

Hobbies: 
Roping, Hunting, Fishing, Cooking, Sitting around visiting, and Eating. 
Favorite Rodeo:  The NFR, Pendleton, Cheyenne and Salinas – But just about any rodeo you win at is a favorite!    
Lucky Rodeo:  The next one.
Achievements: Making the NFR
Special Thanks – I would like to give a special thanks to my family for making me who I am today.