When Robert Simpson was growing up on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation near Lame Deer, there came a time when he had a choice to make.

And, because he made the right decision 21 years ago, this weekend Simpson will be competing in his fifth Indian National Finals Rodeo.

"There wasn't much to do on the Reservation, and most of the kids were getting in trouble," Simpson said in a telephone interview earlier this week. "I took up saddle bronc riding when I was about 15, and it was rodeo that helped keep me on the straight road. It gave me something to work for.

"I figured out that you can't drink and mess around when you're trying to compete and be the best at something. A lot of my friends ended up in prison or dead. Saddle bronc riding definitely kept me out of trouble."

The 33rd Annual Indian National Finals run today through Sunday at Las Vegas' South Point Hotel and Casino.

Simpson earned his berth in the Finals by placing ninth in the qualifier series on a tour of Native American rodeos throughout the U.S. and Canada. The top 10 qualified for the INFR.

He made his first appearance in 1992. His best showing at the Indian Finals Rodeo was a third-place finish in the average. Another career highlight occurred in 2000 at the Seminole Reservation in Hollywood, Fla., where he won both the Indian and pro rodeos, back-to-back in one weekend.

Simpson is a descendant of Chief Dull Knife. In the 1870s, the U.S. government relocated the Cheyenne from Montana to a reservation in Oklahoma. In an epic mid-winter escape, Dull Knife led his people back to Montana, Robert's wife, Lucy Simpson, said.

"During the journey back home, the tribe was chased by the cavalry, and many of the women and children suffered great hardships," Lucy said. "But they made it, and it was because of Chief Dull Knife that the Northern Cheyenne Reservation was created."

These days Robert carries on his heritage, serving as a traditional Pow Wow dancer, in addition to being the lead singer of the Soldier Group Drum Group.

Determined to share his knowledge and motivate young Native Americans, Simpson has instituted the "Black Horse Pride" foundation. It is a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youths on the reservations by teaching them about rodeoing.

"We want to teach the young kids about horsemanship and get them involved with high school rodeos," said Simpson, who is also a horse trainer. "Hopefully, we can help instill some pride in their lives."

Rodeoing is a family affair for the Simpsons. Robert and Lucy drove to Las Vegas this week with their two children, Sierra and Bowden, where they will rendezvous with Lucy's relatives from Arizona and New Mexico. Lucy relates that the lifestyle of a pro cowboy is a rough one.

"It's tough being a cowboy's wife," said Lucy Simpson, who is an attorney for the Indian Law Research Center in Helena. "He's on the road a lot and with the price of gas now, it's hard to make ends meet. But our whole family loves rodeo, and we support Robert 100 percent.

"Luckily, he had a good year this year and has been able to put some money back into the pot."

Simpson said that he met Lucy, who is Navajo, in 1991 at the Phoenix State Fair and Rodeo, boasting "She's my biggest win to date."

"I just want to thank all of my sponsors and supporters, and maybe this time I can bring home the championship," Simpson said prior to the trip to Vegas.

Reporter Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net