July 17-26, 2026
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
July 17-26, 2026
Bull Riding
Today’s group of bull riders entered to coincide with the Xtreme Bulls competition, which starts at Frontier Park Monday night, so it is a stellar group. Headlining the list is the current standings leader Tristen Hutchings, who is a two-time college champion and a 4-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier. He has won some money here in the past, but would love to add a win from the “Daddy of ‘em All” to his rodeo resume. He’s an old school cowboy who loves being outdoors and all of the rodeo events. The crowd may be the loudest for Cheyenne’s own Brenson Bartlett. He just finished his freshman year of college and competed at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). He’s coming off a big win at Red Lodge, Montana, and his favorite rodeo moment so far happened last year in Frontier Park. He rode his bull for 88.5 points, and his sister made him an uncle the same day.
Saddle Bronc Riding
It’s the Wright day to be a saddle bronc riding fan with the world champion, Statler Wright, and the guy that finished right behind him, Ryder Wright, who is his older brother. The Wright legacy includes a lot of world championships, but the only member of the family to win a buckle here – Stetson Wright – is out with injuries. Ryder is the highest in the world standings at 8th. Statler has ground to make up at 19th but could certainly do that here. There is another set of brothers on the list, Waitley and Traven Sharon. They are both in college and qualified for the CNFR, Traven for the University of Wyoming and Waitley for Texas’s Tarleton State University. Their mom got creative and sewed two t-shirts together so she could represent both boys at the Casper rodeo.
Saddle Bronc Riding
In 2023, we got to see three cowboys make the victory lap here after the bareback riding when they tied for the championship. Kade Sonnier was among that group, and it pushed him to his first NFR. The former college baseball player is currently 12th in the world standings, and he would love to make that trip around the arena at Frontier Park again. Roedy Farrell is following his father Will Farrell’s path in rodeo, but in different events. Will competed in the bull riding, and Roedy loves the bareback riding. Roedy and his traveling partner Tucker Carricato are both proud to be Wyoming natives. Another second-generation cowboy competing today is Matthew McLanahan. His father Denny McLanahan, won this rodeo in 1997, several years before Matthew was born.
Barrel Racing
Today’s barrel racing is going to be tough – it’s filled with superstars and gritty, fast horses. Among them is two-time CFD champion Lisa Lockhart, who will likely be riding her great buckskin mare, Rosa’s Cantina, that she won the event on just last year. She also won here in 2015. Kassie Mowry, the reigning and two-time world champion, is on the list, and fans love her gelding Force the Goodbye “Jarvis.” Kassie’s resume is full of wins, but she has yet to get one here. And we can always count on Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” to make things exciting. Hailey has four gold buckles to her credit, and they won the title here in 2021. Other NFR qualifiers on the roster are Carlee Otero, Katelyn Scott, Lanita (Powers) Pierce and Emily Beisel.
Breakaway Roping
Last night, Tiffany Schieck tied for the breakaway roping win at the NFR Open in Colorado Springs. That was the second time she tied for a big win. The first was here in 2022 when she and Macy Young won the breakaway roping in Frontier Park. Wyoming’s own Haiden Thompson and Makenna Ellerman are also on the list.
Tie-Down Roping
Bodie Mattson is looking for an all-around title here. The former University of Wyoming rodeo athlete won some money in the team roping on Friday, and today he will compete in the tie-down roping. He graduated with a degree in marketing and, to strengthen his ties to Wyoming and rodeo, started as an assistant coach at Gillette College this year. All he needs is to place today, and he will be the frontrunner for the all-around title here. Trevor Thiel is known for his horsemanship. He finished second here back in 2012, and while he loves to rope, it isn’t his priority. He and his wife Allie- who also ropes – put their family first and have their own real estate company.
Team Roping
Team roping was first added here in 2001. Eight years later, Chad Masters won his first CFD buckle heading for Jade Corkill. Chad won his second one in another nine years with Joseph Harrison. The 2018 CFD champs are back together and roping here today. Clay Tryan also has his share of CFD buckles and is hoping to add another. Clay won here in 2013 and 2022. Both times, he was heading for Jade Corkill. Today he is roping with Will Woodfin. In 2023, Billy Bob Brown got to make the victory lap of his life at Frontier Park when he won the team roping with Kirby Blankenship. Today he is roping with Blaine Vick. Billy Bob grew up with a rope in his hand and loves the big arena here. He also produces team roping events at his home arena in Carbon, Texas, and understands how much work goes on behind the scenes.
Steer Wrestling
Trell Etbauer headlines the steer wrestling. He tied for the win here in 2022. He grew up coming to this rodeo to watch his father, Robert, and his uncles, Dan and Billy, compete in saddle bronc riding. Emmett Edler is coming off a successful CNFR, where his horse C A Breeze “D1” earned the men’s horse of the year title. Edler finished his college rodeo career with a fourth-place finish in Casper. He is now focusing on pro rodeos and has edged his way into the top 50 in the world standings.