It is in the memory and inspiration of Jerry Dean Small, his accomplishments, personality and his community; that this organization's quest is to give back to the youth of the Northern Cheyenne through your donations in the form of scholarships, educational opportunities and sponsored events.
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Jerry Dean Small
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Jerry Small hails from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation via Kirby Creek. His dad Melvin and his mom Violet, raised 6 children on the ranch which is still there today. Jerry comes from a rodeo family but he was the cowboy to put Busby, MT on the map. Jerry figured out early in life that rodeos paid better than most jobs, so he hit the rodeo trail traveling throughout the United States and Canada.
Jerry excelled in all the timed events, but steer wrestling was his favorite, although he did give saddle bronc riding and bareback riding a try in the early days. His first All Around INFR World title was in 1977 and he still holds the record for the most INFR All Around championships at 5 total, he was the all-around cowboy in 1981, 1982, 1984, and 1987. He also was the INFR World Champion Steer Wrestler in 1979. Jerry was never afraid to put his money up with the big dogs and he won money at most of the large PRCA rodeos including Denver, Houston, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Ft. Worth and Phoenix. In reality Jerry didn’t care whether it was a Pro Rodeo, Indian rodeo, or open rodeo he just wanted to travel and enter up. His favorite thing to do was get some traveling partners together and he talked his long time traveling partners Kim Colliflower Dennis Dahle, Flint Fleming, Spike Guardipee to mention a few into many escapades. In later years Jerry turned into a full fledge team roper, winning many large roping’s around the region. His great horse Brownie was also a great barrel horse and he let his granddaughter Tasia Scalpcane use him, and he probably was more proud of her qualifying to the INFR then any of his titles. Brownie is now giving rides to his great grandchildren. Jerry and his wife Darlene are still ranching on Kirby Creek and Darlene just mentioned Jerry got a new horse the other day. It rides 6 people. Don’t count Jerry out if he does pick up a rope, because he is still a force to be reckon with. There are many stories that could be told of this rodeo legend, some risqué and funny, but there is no denying he was the cowboy that could take your money in the calf roping, steer wrestling, and team roping. |