Derrick Begay is a renowned professional rodeo athlete, specifically a team roping header. He has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) ten times.
He has won several major rodeos, including the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo, the Magic Valley Stampede, and the Greeley Stampede.
You can follow Derrick Begay’s net worth, career earnings, biography, achievements, relationship status, and more here.
Derrick Begay’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Derrick James Begay |
| Hometown | Seba Dalkai, Arizona |
| Age | 40 (DOB: February 19, 1982) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 inches |
| Weight | 145 lbs |
| Tribal Affiliation | 99.9% Navajo |
| Family | Father: Victor Begay, Mother: Myrtle Begay, Sisters: Jaime and Brittany |
| Horse’s Name | Swagger |
| PRCA Joining Year | 2004 |
| Current Net Worth | $3 million |
| Relationship Status | Married to Justine Doka |
| Instagram Handle | derrickbegay |
Derrick Begay was born on February 19, 1982, in Seba Dalkai, a small community in Arizona.
Begay is the son of Victor Begay, the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association (AIRCA) team roping director, and Myrtle Begay.
He is married to Justine Doka, and they have a 2-year-old daughter named Brindle Mae.
Professional Career
Begay’s professional career took off when he joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 2004.
He became one of the first Navajo cowboys to qualify for the national finals, a feat he has achieved multiple times.
Begay has won around $1.5 million in his 19-year PRCA career and qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ten times.
2013 he was the Team Roping Champion at the Indian National Finals Rodeo. He has also won several major rodeos, including the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, California, and the Magic Valley Stampede in Filer, Idaho.
In 2023, he and his partner Colter Todd won the Pendleton Round-Up.
Wife
Derrick Begay’s wife is Justine Doka, a successful breakaway roper in her own right. As of 2023, Doka was 31 years old and from Fountain Hills, Arizona. She and Begay live in Seba Dalkai, Arizona.
She is known for her barrier-pushing style and tenacity in the sport. In 2023, Doka won the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City, where she topped the field of quick breakaway ropers with a 2.0-second run, earning her the rodeo’s coveted gold medal and a prize of $12,000.
Derrick Begay’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Derrick Begay’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million. Throughout his career, Begay has amassed significant earnings. In 2022 alone, he earned $82,627.
His career earnings have been boosted by his successful performances in various rodeos, including the 2023 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo season, where he won $138,115.
Career Earnings
Derrick Begay’s career earnings stand at $1,454,990.
This figure includes his earnings from the 2023 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo season, where he won $138,115.
| Year | Partner | Earnings |
| 2007 | Victor Aros | $34,855 |
| – | Clay O’Brien Cooper | $180,810 |
| Total | $1,454,990 |
Career Highlights
- Career earnings: $1,454,990
- 2022 world standings place: 17th
- 2022 earnings: $82,627
- NFR Qualifications: 9 (2008-13, 2015, 2018, 2021)
2023 Highlights – Partner Colter Todd
- Won the Clark County Fair & Rodeo (Logandale, Nev.)
- Won the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo
- Won the Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo (Payson, Ariz.)
- Won the Greeley (Colo.) Stampede
- Won the Moses Lake (Wash.) Round-Up Rodeo
- Won the Colorado State Fair & Rodeo (Pueblo, Colo.)
- Won the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up
- Won the Poway (Calif.) Rodeo
- Won the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo (San Bernardino, Calif.)
- Co-champion at the Magic Valley Stampede (Filer, Idaho)
FAQs
1. Who is Derrick Begay?
Derrick Begay is a professional team roper and a trailblazing Navajo cowboy from Seba Dalkai, Arizona. He has competed in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) 11 times and is known for his contributions to pro rodeo, inspiring Native American youth to pursue careers in the sport.
2. What is Derrick Begay’s connection to the Navajo Nation?
Derrick Begay grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, where he learned ranching and roping from his father, Victor Begay. He represents the Navajo Nation in professional rodeo and has paved the way for other Native American competitors.
3. How many times has Derrick Begay qualified for the NFR?
Derrick Begay has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 11 times. His first qualification was in 2008, and he won his first-ever average title at the NFR in 2024.
4. Who are some of Derrick Begay’s notable roping partners?
Derrick Begay has partnered with legendary cowboys like Clay O’Brien Cooper, Cesar de la Cruz, and Colter Todd. In 2024, he teamed up with Jonathan Torres for the NFR after Todd narrowly missed qualifying.
5. What are Derrick Begay’s career earnings?
Derrick Begay has earned approximately $1.5 million during his professional rodeo career, competing in numerous high-profile events and winning several titles.
6. What horses has Derrick Begay used in his career?
Derrick Begay is known for using horses like Paint (nicknamed “Wagon Burner”), Swagger, and The Sorrel (Caseys Glory). These horses have played crucial roles in his success at major rodeos.
7. What major rodeos has Derrick Begay won?
Derrick Begay has won prestigious events such as the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, Rodeo Austin, and the George Strait Team Roping Classic. He also secured an average title at the NFR in 2024.
8. What impact has Derrick Begay had on Native American representation in rodeo?
Derrick Begay is one of the first Navajo cowboys to achieve significant success in professional rodeo. His achievements inspire Native American youth and highlight cultural contributions to the sport.
9. What instructional resources does Derrick Begay offer?
Derrick Begay shares roping techniques and strategies through instructional videos on platforms like Roping.com. These resources cover topics such as dummy roping, guiding loops, and mental preparation for competition.
10. What challenges has Derrick Begay faced in his career?
Despite financial constraints and limited horse budgets early on, Derrick Begay persevered to become a top competitor in pro rodeo. He also navigated emotional challenges when his best friend Colter Todd missed qualifying for the NFR in 2024.
