{"id":38680,"date":"2025-04-21T18:34:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T23:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/a-rough-stock-rider-and-receptionist\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T18:34:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T23:34:22","slug":"a-rough-stock-rider-and-receptionist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/a-rough-stock-rider-and-receptionist\/","title":{"rendered":"A rough stock rider and receptionist"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A few years ago, at the beginning of her bronc riding career during the Northern Cheyenne 4th of July Rodeo, Tierra found herself in a terrible wreck after getting tromped by a big stout horse that had dumped her, resulting in four broken ribs and a punctured lung. (Courtesy photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When Tierra LaFranier, was born 28 years ago, the oldest of eight siblings, she was supposed to be a boy who would follow in her father Tommy\u2019s footsteps of being a top Northern Cheyenne bull rider. Despite her feminine gender, Tommy decided to make her into a cowboy anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s turned out to be a pretty good hand,\u201d he says, giving an ultimate cowboy compliment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no girly-phase for me growing up,\u201d she observed flashing a wide smile.<\/p>\n

Tommy has been successful in that Tierra is now a saddle bronc rider (the only female from Northern Cheyenne to do so) competing in Ranch Bronc riding, an event offered at many \u201copen\u201d rodeos, not yet sanctioned as an Indian Rodeo event. She has won some money, but not a buckle yet. \u201cThere aren\u2019t too many events like that for just women, so you have to travel,\u201d she explained. \u201cIn North Dakota they have a whole summer series, but I can\u2019t afford to go up there every week.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few other girls from other Tribes are doing the same thing and those other riders have formed a rodeo friendship, the type which often endures for years. Often, the event is co-ed, in that the women compete against men. \u201cIt\u2019s not about your gender,\u201d she explained. \u201cIt\u2019s about your try (grit and determination), balance and ability to ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tierra spent many hours in the saddle while growing up, mostly ranch work, but dabbling in barrel racing, an event she really didn\u2019t like anyway \u201csince it is so \u201cgirly.\u201d She also starts colts, takes horses from other people to \u201cput miles\u201d on them and works with problem equines. \u201cMy happiest hours have always been on the back of a horse,\u201d she confided.<\/p>\n

In her early twenties, Tierra was a frequent sight on Indian racetracks, jockeying in both match races and Indian Relay.\u00a0 She primarily rode for the David Roundstone team, Northern Cheyenne, but also once was selected to jockey for the \u201cBru Crew\u201d Team, a top Lakota team from the Dakotas.<\/p>\n

As Tierra explained, the after-race environment in Indian relay often involves alcohol and drinking. \u201cI fell into that for a while,\u201d she candidly admitted. Some owners (not David Roundstone, who is a tribal judge) she said like to pay in alcohol. Thus, young Tierra went on a brief walk down the fast lane.<\/p>\n

During that time, one of her close cousins committed suicide by which she was greatly troubled. \u201cI withdrew, starting drinking more and all but quit riding horses,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

With surprising candor, she shared a very personal experience which changed her life. \u201cOne night, I was at home, secretly (or so I thought) drunk in my bedroom. Overwhelmed by the situation I tried to shoot myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fortunately, Tommy was home.\u00a0 \u201cHe beat the crap out of me,\u201d Tierra recalled, \u201cthe only way he could express his feelings then \u2013 love and fear. But what really shamed me was having my Grandfather Arnold Lafranier witness that. It sort of broke his heart. And mine too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, Tierra is thankful for her father\u2019s intervention. \u201cIt is good to have a parent push you in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that dramatic wake-up call, Tierra sobered up, now celebrating four years of being clean. \u201cI\u2019m back to horses now, working with Dad. We try to help people whenever we can,\u201d she said. \u201cThat is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along the road to sobriety Tierra met a new friend, Chanelle Martin, also a Northern Cheyenne working cowgirl. In the 1960\u2019s Chanelle\u2019s grandmother Caroline Martin was once the Sheridan, Wyoming rodeo queen and participated in the flag carrying during the world-famous Sheridan, Wyoming parade where hundreds of different flags are presented by cowgirls who are on horseback and clad in glitzy matching costumes, a highlight viewed by thousands from across the world. Chanelle followed in her Grandmothers steps and became a flag carrier in turn recruiting Tierra \u201cjust when she needed it most.\u201d Chanelle and Tierra are the only Northern Cheyenne in the group of 42 flag carriers at that event which requires a shiny, well-trained horse and hours of drills.<\/p>\n

Chanelle\u2019s grandfather, Larry Martin, Sioux was also a top saddle bronc rider of that era, making the whole Martin clan great saddle bronc fans and supporters, including for Tierra.\u00a0 Tierra said of Chanelle who has a squeaky- clean reputation, a small business owner \u201cWhen I was drinking, I wouldn\u2019t even talk to a person like her, but now she is like a big sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few years ago, at the beginning of her bronc riding career during the Northern Cheyenne 4th of July Rodeo, Tierra found herself in a terrible wreck after getting tromped by a big stout horse that had dumped her (as shown in the photo for this article), resulting in four broken ribs and a punctured lung.<\/p>\n

After that incident, Tierra declined an ambulance ride and instead recruited a friend to drive her to the Crow\/Northern Cheyenne I.H.S. hospital, where she spent time due to her injured lung. As she put it, \u201cAin\u2019t a darn thing to do about busted ribs. Every cowboy\/girl learns that. You have to be tough if you\u2019re going to do dumb things.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few days later, Tierra was called upon to pack flags at the Sheridan-WYO parade, which she did. \u201cCan\u2019t let your friends down.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked how painful it was, she smiled. \u201cI threw the saddle up myself and mounted okay, but packing those flags was irritating. I had to use the arm on the side where the ribs were broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tierra has been working since high school graduation \u2013 her whole life as she says. Presently, she is an I.H.S. Intake clerk at the Lame Deer Clinic, her smiling face in person or her pleasant voice on the phone presenting a good first impression for that facility. Except for the short half-hour lunches, she finds it a good job with decent pay.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the other hand, her real work starts back at the LaFranier ranch. You may not be surprised to hear<\/p>\n

that usually involves horses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennereivew@gmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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The post A rough stock rider and receptionist<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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A few years ago, at the beginning of her bronc riding career during the Northern Cheyenne 4th of July Rodeo, Tierra found herself in a terrible wreck after getting tromped by a big stout horse that had dumped her, resulting in four broken ribs and a punctured lung. (Courtesy photo) <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> April 21, 2025<\/p>\n

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