Young Warriors

Professional bull riders find strong support from Native American community

GLENDALE, ARIZ.-It might have been the optics, but whenever professional bull riders Keyshawn Whitehorse and Cody Jesus entered the ring, the crowd seemed louder, more engaged. In fact, Gila River Arena appeared to shake at the sound of their names as they competed in the Professional Bull Riding competition.

Whitehorse and Jesus are both a part of the Navajo tribe, which has deep roots in Arizona. Whitehorse, 23, grew up in McCracken Spring, Utah, and is currently ranked No. 4 in the world, and Jesus, 22, is from Window Rock. While neither rider finished in the Top 10 in the Valley event held...