CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 20, 2019) – Stetson Wright continued his quest for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s (PRCA) most prestigious title here Saturday.
The Milford, Utah resident advanced to the semifinals at Frontier Park in both saddle bronc and bull riding at the first performance of the 123rd Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD.) Wright, who will not see his twentieth birthday until the end of this month, is the youngest pro rodeo athlete in the prolific Wright clan. His father, brother and two uncles have won world titles in the saddle bronc riding.
While Stetson is world class in saddle bronc riding where he is ranked 22nd, he excels in bull riding. He is ranked third in that event, behind five-time world champion Sage Kimzey and NFR veteran Trevor Kastner who will also be competing here.
He currently leads the world all-around standings. If he holds that lead through the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December, he will be the first rodeo athlete to win the all-around title in his rookie season.
The 2019 edition of the Daddy of ‘em All features a new format where four contestants from each performance qualify for one of two semifinals on July 26 and 27. Wright advanced in saddle bronc riding with a score of 85.5 points on Sankey Rodeo’s horse Con Man, which was the third-best ride of the day. In the bull riding he made one of only two qualified rides. He will compete in the semifinals in both events. He is favored to win the all-around here as he has won money in two events.
Joining Stetson in the saddle bronc riding semifinals are veterans Cody DeMoss and Wade Sundell. DeMoss, who won the round with 87 points on Andrews Rodeo’s horse Rock Bottle, is aiming for a CFD record of his own. He has won the bronc riding championship here three times.
DeMoss’s success at Frontier Park started in 2004 when Wright was just four years old. He won the championship again in 2010 and in 2012. DeMoss, who loves riding bucking horses, will always count Cheyenne Frontier Days among his favorite rodeos. Winning a fourth CFD title would tie him with Earl Thode, who won four between 1927 and 1934.
Sundell, the reigning world champ, scored one-half point less than DeMoss – 86.5 on Sankey Rodeo’s horse Lunatic. Sundell also has a CFD buckle that he won here in 2013.
Berthoud, Colorado’s Kelly Kennedy-Joseph barely qualified to the quarterfinals in barrel racing. Nearly 200 barrel racers competed in a preliminary round with 72 advancing. Kennedy-Joseph tied for 70th place. Her quarterfinal run Saturday was the fastest time of any barrel racer so far this year at Frontier Park – 17.35 seconds.
On Sunday, contestants in steer wrestling, breakaway, team and tie-down roping will compete in a second round. The top contestants in these event advance directly to the finals based on money won.
A new group of barrel racers, bareback, saddle bronc and bull riders will compete on Sunday for their shot at the semifinals. The rodeo starts at 12:45 p.m.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 20, 2019) – The following are unofficial results from Friday, July 20, at the 123rd Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Money earned is subject to change.
Bareback riding: 1, (tie) Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D., on Sankey Rodeo’s Exotic Blonde and Blade Elliott, Centreville, Ala., on Sankey Rodeo’s Great Nation, 85 points, $2,086 each. 3, Cole Reiner, Kaycee, Wyo., 82, $1,192. 4, Chance Ames, Big Piney, Wyo., 81, $596.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Hagen Brunson, Hutchinson, Kansas, 4.89 seconds, $2,403. 2, Kelsie Chace, Stephenville, Texas, 5.98, $1,802. 3, Brandi Hollenbeck, Mooreland, Okla., 6.44, $1,202. 4, Shaley Griffin, Arthur, Neb., 6.66, $601.
Tie-down Roping: 1, Cheyenne Stanley, Caddo, Okla., 12.5 seconds, $1,954. 2, Tristan Mahoney, Florence, Ariz., 12.7, $1,465. 3, Brian Belew, La Junta, Colo., 14.6, $977. 4, Cole Robinson, Moorecroft, Wyo., 14.7, $488.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 87 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Rock Bottle, $2,285. 2, Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 86.5, $1,714. 3, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 85.5, $1,143. 4, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., 82, $571.
Team Roping: 1, Garrett Tonnozzi, Lampasas, Tex., and Dustin Davis, Terrell, Tex., 7.8 seconds, $2,233 each. 2, Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 8.0, $1,674 each. 3, Peyton Holliday, Choteau, Okla., and Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla., 8.5, $1,116 each. 4, Chris Francis, Las Vegas, N.M., and Cade Passig, Las Vegas, N.M., 9.4, $558 each.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Kyle Callaway, Blue Creek, Mont., 6.9 seconds, $1,411. 2, Caden Camp, Belgrade, Mont., 9.6, $1,058. 3, Talon Roseland, Marshalltown, Iowa, 9.7, $705. 4, Joe Nelson, Alexander, N.D., 10.3, $353.
Barrel Racing: 1, Kelly Kennedy-Joseph, Berthoud, Colo., 17.35 seconds, $2,611. 2, Mika Farr, Honeyville, Utah, 17.64, $1,958. 3, Carla Beckett, Laramie, Wyo., 17.98, $1,305. 4, Kari Boxleitner, Loveland, Colo., 18.00, $653.
Bull Riding: 1, Colten Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo., 88 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Torch, $3,893. 2, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 73, $3,185.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round leaders) 1, Jacob Kammerer, Philip, S.D., 78 points. 2, (tie) Jade Taton, Goodwell, Okla., and Trent Burd, Fort Scott, Kan., 76. 4, Will Reynolds, Goodwell, Okla., 74.
Utah’s Stetson Wright used this ride to earn more than $3,000 and qualify for the semifinals at the 123rd Daddy of ‘em All in Cheyenne, Wyo. Wright also moved to the semifinals in saddle bronc riding, earning another $1,100 and taking the lead for the Cheyenne Frontier Days all-around championship. Wright currently leads the world champion all-around standings in his rookie season. CFD photo by Dan Hubbell.
Cody DeMoss of Heflin, La., starts his quest for a fourth Cheyenne Frontier Days saddle bronc riding championship by scoring 88 points on Andrews Rodeo’s horse Rock Bottle to win Friday’s opening round. DeMoss, who won the title here in 2004, 2010 and 2012, would tie Earl Thode, who won four from 1927 to 1934, for the most CFD saddle bronc riding championships. CFD photo by Dan Hubbell.