July 17-26, 2026
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July 17-26, 2026
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been honored with the 2025 PRCA Remuda Award, recognizing the rodeo committee that provides the best and most consistent pen of bucking horses in professional rodeo.
The Remuda Award, presented annually by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), celebrates a rodeo and stock contractor that offers contestants the highest-quality livestock, giving cowboys the best opportunity to showcase their talent and compete on a level playing field.
“It’s really exciting for us to even be considered for the Remuda Award,” Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig said. “There are so many great rodeos out there and the quality of bucking horses has gone through the roof.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days has worked diligently to develop its tournament-style format, with nine evenly matched performances designed to give each cowboy an equal shot at the title. Working closely with Smith Pro Rodeos, the committee collaborates with multiple subcontractors to assemble nine balanced pens of horses, a process requiring months of planning and deep knowledge of each animal’s style and ability.
Hirsig gave a special thank you to Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, the primary stock contractor for Cheyenne Frontier Days, and acknowledged the other contractors that provide livestock for the eight-day rodeo extravaganza.
“I think we’re just very thankful that we’ve got Stace Smith, who really cares about our rodeo and is trying to make it one of the best ones when it comes to the bucking horses,” Hirsig said. “He’s worked hard to try to get us to this level and it’s great to see that we’re getting acknowledged for it.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days also continues to invest in animal welfare and performance excellence. In collaboration with Smith Pro Rodeos and the Samuelson Family, the organization developed a dedicated resting and grazing area north of Cheyenne to provide bucking stock with a quiet, natural environment during the celebration, ensuring the horses remain in peak condition.
The Samuelson Family has been a tremendous supporter of Cheyenne Frontier Days, and their generosity made this important project possible. Their unwavering commitment to the sport, the animals, and the spirit of the Daddy of ’em All has strengthened CFD’s foundation and helped ensure that both contestants and livestock perform at their best.
The award will be presented at the PRCA Awards Banquet on Dec. 3 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, ahead of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
MeadowAnn King has been named the Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) 2026 Lady-in-Waiting after a selection process that included a written application, an accomplishment book, a horsemanship skills demonstration and an interview.
MeadowAnn is the daughter of John and Ginger King. She is a 2024 graduate of Cheyenne Central High School, where she was involved in wrestling, softball, cheerleading, volleyball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA, 4-H and multiple leadership roles. She is currently attending Laramie County Community College, pursuing degrees in elementary education and kinesiology.
Her family has proudly served as CFD volunteers for decades. King and her siblings, Wyatt and Bella, have carried on the volunteer tradition in roles such as mounted marshals, ticket committee workers, mare and colt race competitors, night show security, and outriders for the parade. One of King’s most meaningful high school experiences was serving as a CFD Dandy, a dream she had since childhood.
“For me, this role is not about standing in the spotlight but about riding for the brand, doing everything I can to make the committee, my community and our volunteers proud while celebrating and advocating for the growth of rodeo,” King said. “I want to be a small part of the incredible machine of volunteers who make Cheyenne Frontier Days possible, carrying forward the same spirit of service and dedication my family has lived by for generations.”
King will work with Miss Frontier Katherine Olson in 2026 to represent Cheyenne Frontier Days.
The leadership of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) has named new General Committee members for the 2026 celebration.
The Board of Directors has selected Hans Ritschard to be the next General Chairman. Ritschard is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who now directs improvement work at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. He served as Military Chairman from 2014 to 2016 and was a member of the CFD Board of Directors from 2018 to 2024, including two years as board chairman.
Jenny Lakin has been selected as the new Concessions Chairman. Lakin is a manager in provider relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. She has volunteered on the Concessions Committee for 17 years. Lakin was named Concessions Committee Volunteer of the Year in 2014 and was inducted into the HEELS in 2021.
Richard “Bull” Singhas has been selected as the new Parades Chairman. Singhas is a construction manager for the U.S. Air Force and holds a master’s degree in management. He has volunteered on the CFD Parades Committee for 21 years and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2014. Singhas was inducted into the HEELS in 2018.
Jimbo Tanner has been selected as the new Rodeo Chairman. Tanner is the general manager at B&W Glass Inc. He has volunteered on the Rodeo Committee since 2003, was named Rodeo Committee Volunteer of the Year in 2014 and was inducted into the HEELS in 2016.
“It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve Cheyenne Frontier Days as the next General Chairman,” General Chairman Hans Ritschard said. “It is also humbling to succeed those leaders who have built such a strong foundation. St. Bernard of Chartres compared us to dwarves perched on the shoulders of giants. He said that though we might see more and farther than our predecessors, it is not because we have keener vision or greater height, but because we are lifted and held up by their giant size. I would like to thank outgoing General Chairman John Contos, along with Chairmen Woody Acord, Jason Bain, Byron Matthews, and Jim VanCise for their longstanding dedication and commitment to our organization.”
The General Committee has already begun planning for the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2026 — the Year of the American Indian — which will feature the grand opening of the Morning Star American Indian Village and the reconstruction of Chute 9.
From sunup to sunset, the 129th edition of Cheyenne Frontier Days was packed with entertainment, memorable moments and a boost to the local economy.
This year’s theme, the “Year of the Bull,” honored legendary bulls, bull riders, bullfighters and stock contractors. Special tributes throughout the event recognized the iconic figures and animals that helped shape the sport of rodeo.
Cheyenne Frontier Days, established in 1897, would not be possible without the dedication of the Cheyenne community, staff, and more than 3,000 volunteers who put in countless hours to bring the celebration to life.
Nearly 1,600 rodeo contestants came to Frontier Park to compete for $1.3 million in prize money. The addition of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Xtreme Bulls added $100,000 of that prize money and is likely to become a fan favorite event.
The rodeo’s qualifying rounds started on July 7 bringing over 1,000 hopeful contestants to Frontier Park. From those, the 72 best in steer wrestling, breakaway, team and tie-down roping advanced to performances. The top 12 steer ropers on two head punched their ticket directly to Championship Sunday.
Across nine rodeo performances, 110,383 fans attended the event, compared to 115,494 in 2024. The Quarter Finals, Semifinals and Finals were broadcast on The Cowboy Channel, while qualifying rounds streamed on The Cowboy Channel+ app. The final Saturday also honored National Day of the Cowboy.
On-site attractions included longtime favorites such as the Indian Village, various musical stages around the park, vendors and carnival. The Behind the Chutes Tours remained a popular free experience, with 4,001 guests getting a behind-the-scenes look at the rodeo arena and livestock.
Cheyenne Frontier Days continued to spotlight suicide prevention and mental health awareness through the Pick-Up Man Initiative. Yellow feathers on cowboy hats across Frontier Park served as visible reminders to “pick up” those who may be struggling.
Military Monday paid tribute to all branches of the armed forces, with free admission for active-duty service members and veterans. Special opening ceremonies included a performance by the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs parachute team, a display of military vehicles around the track, and a giant American flag carried by volunteers. With a change to performance day, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds screamed across the Wyoming skies on the final Saturday.
Frontier Nights drew 113,144 attendees, compared to 119,793 in 2024. On the final Saturday night, Megan Moroney broke the Cheyenne Frontier Days record for a female artist, with more than 20,400 tickets sold.
The 2025 celebration also introduced the inaugural PRCA Xtreme Bulls at Cheyenne Frontier Days. This standalone, two-night event brought the top 40 bull riders in the world together to compete against some of the toughest bulls in the sport. Held under the lights at Frontier Park, the high-adrenaline event quickly became a fan favorite and served as a fitting highlight of the Year of the Bull. 13,977 fans turned out for high-scoring rides and an electric atmosphere.
In addition to rodeo and concert attendance, 26,060 gate admission tickets were sold, bringing total attendance to 249,587.
Approximately 6,500 head of livestock were on-site for rodeo events, parades and bull riding. Veterinarians conducted multiple daily health inspections on all animals. Ten animals required treatment, and all but three recovered.
Downtown Cheyenne hosted four parades and three pancake breakfasts as part of the festivities. Horse-drawn wagons and other historic entries paraded through the streets, celebrating Western heritage. The Kiwanis Club, CFD volunteers and community members served 17,059 people during the free pancake breakfasts.
The Native American Indian Village offered interactive cultural experiences for all ages, including storytelling, hoop dancing and flute music. Approximately 38,600 people visited the village, closing the chapter on its current location. Mo Brings Plenty, star of Yellowstone, was our guest and Grand Marshal of the Tuesday parade.
“Cheyenne Frontier Days 2025 was remarkable.” said General Chairman John Contos. “Celebrating the Year of the Bull gave us an incredible platform to showcase rodeo’s legacy. At the same time, we could welcome new generations of fans to the sport and traditions that we love. Our volunteers, staff, sponsors and community members once again made it all possible. We can’t thank them enough.”
As the dust settles on another unforgettable celebration, planning is already underway for the 130th anniversary in 2026 — the Year of the American Indian — and the grand opening of the new Morning Star Indian Village, as well as the reconstruction of Chute 9.
The 129th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) ended with a record-setting final championship round.
Saddle bronc riding has been part of the “Daddy of ‘em All” since 1897. Over the years only three cowboys have won the bronc riding title three times- Earl Thode in the late 1920s and early 1930s, Cody DeMoss in 2004, 2010 and 2012, and local favorite Brody Cress who was the first to win three in a row from 2017 to 2019.
Cress, who is from nearby Hillsdale and graduated from a Cheyenne high school, was the favorite to win after a random draw gave him the chance to ride THE Black Tie. The mare, owned by Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics, was the dance partner for the past two CFD champions and helped Ryder Sanford set the record in Frontier Park two years ago.
The scores were high with a pair of 89.5-point rides leading as the final two cowboys left the chute. First, Cress scored 91 points bringing the crowd to its feet, then four-time world champion Zeke Thurston made a great ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cat Walk for 90 points.
Cress became the first cowboy to win the saddle bronc riding title four times and said the fourth win was the sweetest yet, after not coming close for the six years since his last win here.
Cress wasn’t the only record setter on Championship Sunday. Bareback rider Kade Berry of Weatherford, Texas, broke a record set more than 50 years ago by three-time CFD champ Joe Alexander.
Berry rode Brookman Rodeos’ Lunatic Heaven for 93.5 points, half a point higher than the record and two points higher than former world champion Jess Pope who rode Smith Pro Rodeo’s Risky Business just before Berry.
The winningest cowgirl in Women’s Professional Rodeo Association history, Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, South Dakota, made her own CFD history. Lockhart was the champion here in 2015 riding her famous buckskin horse Louie. She joined the list of two-time CFD champions when she and another Buckskin, Rosa’s Cantina, stopped the clock in 17.03. She is the first woman to win titles here ten years apart.
But the decade between Lockhart’s wins in Frontier Park wasn’t the longest. Steer roper Scott Snedecor won the championship here in 2009. Last year the four-time world champion came close to winning his second CFD title, but his steer did not stay tied for the required time.
The Texan was as happy as any first-time winner after winning his event by a tenth of a second with a 12.7, taking home his second CFD championship after 16 years.
Danielle Lowman of Gilbert, Arizona, became the first woman from the Navajo Nation to win a CFD title. The talented breakaway roper who has competed three times at the National Finals Breakaway Roping made a 4.3-second run on her new horse Gucci to win the championship and more than $19,500. She was the biggest money winner of the rodeo.
Tyson Durfey, the former world champion tie-down roper, stepped away from fulltime rodeo after the 2020 season, staying home with his growing family, fighting a serious illness that kept him from riding a horse for a year and a half, and building his coaching business. Durfey’s professional career has included 14 trips to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and more than 20 trips to Frontier Park, but he had never been successful in Cheyenne.
“I made the short round in 2021, had the best calf and messed up due to nerves,” he said. “I never thought I’d get the chance again to win here.” He turned in a 10.9-second time he described as “not the picture-perfect run that I wanted,” but it was enough to win the championship that had eluded him.
Team ropers Aaron Tsinigine of Tuba City, Arizona, and Jeremy Buhler of Arrowwood, Alberta, each have world championships, but had never won at Cheyenne. They took home the coveted winner’s package after taking first in their event with a time of 9.3 seconds. Tsinigine said he had been trying to win in Frontier Park for 20 years, a title on his bucket list. Buhler said they are both at the point in their careers where “you aren’t sure how many more chances you’ll have to win here.”
The most demonstrative winner was steer wrestler Tyke Kipp. The 32-year-old cowboy was fired up after his 5.5-second run gave him the walk-off win. An all-around hand in high school and college (he was successful in bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and team roping), Kipp lives on a New Mexico ranch near Lordsburg that has been in his family for 147 years.
For the second time in five years, an Australian won the CFD championship in bull riding. Rookie Qynn Anderson of Koumala, Queensland, scored 90 points on Dakota Rodeo’s bull named Hunter. Anderson now leads the bull riding rookie of the year standings and is 12th in the bull riding world championship standings.
Several individuals were in contention for the CFD all-around championship, but when the rodeo was over the honor went to Jake Clay of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Clay, who has come close to making the NFR in team roping the past few years, competed in team roping and steer roping and won almost $7,000.
2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Champions
All Around – Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Oklahoma, $6,880 in steer and team roping
Steer Roping – Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, 12.7, $12,072
Bareback Riding – Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 93.5 points, $13,399
Tie-Down Roping – Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 10.9 seconds, $17,700
Breakaway Roping – Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Arizona, 4.3 seconds, $19,537
Saddle Bronc Riding – Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyoming, 91 points, $15,216
Team Roping – Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Arizona and
Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, 9.3 seconds, $13,530
Steer Wrestling – Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, New Mexico, 5.5 seconds, $16,614
Barrel Racing – Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, South Dakota, 17.03, $22,010
Bull Riding – Qynn Andersen, 90 points, $12,563
The following are unofficial results from the Championship Finals at the 129th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, Sunday, July 27.
Steer Roping: 1, Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, 12.7 seconds, $12,072. 2, Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 12.8, $10,261. 3, Roger Noella, Redmond, Ore., 15.0, $8,450. 4, Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla., 15.7, $7,243. 5, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., and Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas, 16.2 and $5,131 each. 7, Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 16.7, $3,018. 8, Ty Williams, Sulphur, Okla., 17.2, $2,414.
Bareback Riding: 1, Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 93.5 points, on Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven, $9,432. 2, Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan., 91.5, $7,145. 3, Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., 90, $5,145. 4, Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont., 89, $3,430. 5, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 88.5, $2,001. 6, Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La., 88, $1,429.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 10.9 seconds, $11,500. 2, Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash., 11.8, $10,000. 3, Tom Simpson, Malad, Idaho, 12.3, $8,500. 4, Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb., 12.5, $7,000. 5, Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla., 14.1, $5,500. 6, Kyan Wilhite, Clovis, N.M., 15.0, $4,000. 7, (tie) Tripp Brown, Kenansville, Fla., and Pecos Tatum, La Plata, N.M., 15.7 and $1,750 each.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz., 4.3 seconds, $13,021. 2, Rylee George, Oakdale, Calif., 4.9, $9,864. 3, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M., 5.9, $7,102. 4, Jacee Currin, Heppner, Ore., 6.2, $4,735. 5, Shy-Anne Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 6.3, $2,762. 6, Shawnee Sherwood, Coolidge, Ariz., 6.4, $1,973.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 91 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics The Black Tie, $9,157. 2, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley Alberta, 90, $6,937. 3, Waitley Sharon, Ordway, Colo., 89.5, $4,166. 4, Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, 89.5, $4,163. 5, (tie) Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., and Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo., 88.5, $1,665 each.
Team Roping: 1, Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz., and Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, 9.3 seconds, $11,500. 2, (tie) Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo.; and Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and Wesley Thorp, Stephenville, Texas, 9.5 and $9,250 each. 4, Ryon Boatright, Mulhall, Okla., and Jett Hillman, Perry, Okla., 9.7, $7,000. 5, Kyle Polich, Cortez, Colo., and T.J. Watts, Eads, Colo., 10.0, $5,500. 6, Devon Johnson, Red Oak, Texas, and Zane Pratt, Congress, Ariz., 10.8, $4,000. 7, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Blaine Vick, Breckenridge, Texas, 16.0, $2,500. 8, Kash Bonnett, Ponoka, Alberta and Logan Cullen, Courtenay, British Columbia, 16.3, $1,000.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 5.5 seconds, $9,200. 2, Talon Roseland, Marshalltown, Iowa, 5.8, $8,000. 3, Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La., and Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii, 6.1 & $6,200 each. 5, Mason Couch, Bronaugh, Mo., 6.8, $4,400. 6, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 6.9, $3,200. 7, Colten Leech, Chico, Texas, 7.1, $2,000. 8, Paul Melvin, Paradise, Texas, 7.2, $800.
Barrel Racing: 1, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.03 seconds, $10,819. 2, Tayla Moeykens, Three Fordk, Mont., 17.19, $8,954. 3, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.23, $7,088. 4, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.31, $5,223. 5, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 17.39, $3,358. 6, Carlee Otero, Perrin, Texas, 17.40, $1,865.
Bull Riding: (four rides) 1, Qynn Andersen, Koumala, Queensland, 90 points on Smith Pro Rodeo’s Hunter, $10,063. 2, Colten Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo., 87.5, $7,827. 3, Jesse Petri, Dublin, Texas, 86.5, $5,870. 4, Dakota Warnken, Wakarusa, Ind., 86, $4,193.
Wild Horse Race: (Sunday) 1, Gotta Go, $960. 2, Young Gunz, $720. 3, Team Meanus, $480. 4, Graves Team, $240. (total money) 1, Gotta Go, $6,000. 2, Young Gunz, $4,800. 3, Graves Team, $3,360. 4, Turquoise Rose, $2,310.
Wyoming’s Brody Cress stands alone in the Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) record book after becoming the first man since the event began in 1897 to win the saddle bronc riding championship four times. Cress scored 91 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ bucking horse named THE Black Tie. The horse has carried cowboys to the CFD title for the past three years, including Ryder Sanford’s record-setting win in 2023. CFD photo by Laura Storey
The longest-standing arena record at Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) fell after 51 years when Kade Berry of Weatherford, Texas, scored 93.5 points on Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven to win the bareback riding on Sunday. Berry broke the record set by three-time CFD champion and hall of fame cowboy Joe Alexander in 1974 by half a point. CFD photo by Tonya Hamner
Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, South Dakota, was all smiles after winning the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo’s barrel racing championship with a time of 17.03 seconds. Lockhart won her second championship in Frontier Park a decade after her first win in 2015. CFD photo by Click Thompson
With the conclusion of Semi Finals 2 at the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD), the field is set for Championship Sunday. The last contestants for this year’s final round were determined on the National Day of the Cowboy at Frontier Park.
Three-time CFD champion Brody Cress, who is from nearby Hillsdale and graduated from high school in Cheyenne, earned the chance to try to become the first saddle bronc rider since 1887 to win four championships at the “Daddy of ‘em All.” Cress scored 89.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s horse named Devils Advocate to win the semifinals. He bested another Brody from Wyoming, Brody Wells from Powell, by just half a point.
The highest score in bareback riding at Frontier Park this year went to world standings leader Rocker Steiner. Steiner, who lives in Weatherford, Texas, rode Dakota Rodeo’s horse called Native Lights for 92 points, just one point shy of the record set back in 1974 by three-time CFD champion Joe Alexander. Neither Steiner’s grandfather and father managed to win a championship here in their specialties (bull riding and steer wrestling, respectively), so he could accomplish a first for his storied rodeo family should he win on Sunday.
Former world champion tie-down roper Tyson Durfey stepped away from full-time rodeo a few years ago to concentrate on his coaching business. He qualified for his 14th National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2020, and five years later, it looks like he hasn’t missed a step. He roped his calf in 9.6 seconds to win Semi Final 2 and match the fastest time of this year’s rodeo set by Nebraska’s Riley Pruitt in the qualifying round. Pruitt won Semi Final 1 and will be among tomorrow’s ropers along with Durfey.
Jordi Edens-Mitchell, daughter of NFR team roper Tommy Edens, qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2022. Since then, she married a team roper, changed her name and had a baby. Her breakaway roping time of 4.9 seconds won the semifinals and advanced her to Sunday’s championship round.
Four former CFD champions compete in the team roping on Saturday, and all four advanced to the championship round. Billy Bob Brown, who won the heading title in 2016, tied for first in Semi Final 2 roping with fellow Texan Blaine Vick. Their time of 10.6 was matched by a pair of Oklahomans, Ryon Boatright and Jett Hillman. Another pair of Oklahomans, Bubba Buckaloo and 2018 CFD heeling champion Joseph Harrison finished third. South Carolina’s Luke Brown, 2015 champion header, and his partner Trey Yates, 2019 champion heeler, finished fourth.
Garrett Oates of Huntsville, Texas, notched the biggest win so far of his rookie season in pro rodeo by winning Semi Final 2 in steer wrestling with a time of 6.0 seconds. He is currently second in the rookie standings, but a strong finish on Sunday could help him reach number one.
Michelle Alley of Madisonville, Texas, bested three former CFD champions to win the barrel racing with a time of 17.09 seconds riding Lipstick N Stillettos, a mare she trained. Two of those former champions, 18-time NFR qualifier Lisa Lockhart and three-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, also advanced.
Bull rider Gavin Mitchell of Graford, Texas, earned $5,200 when he rode Dakota Rodeo’s bull named The Judge for 88.5 points to win the semifinals.
The rookie saddle bronc riding, a tradition at the “Daddy of ‘em All” since 1911, concluded Saturday, and Josue Molina became the first Mexican cowboy to win a championship in Frontier Park. The 22-year-old from Juarez in Chihuahua scored a total of 159 on two horses to win the event.
For the 129th time Cheyenne Frontier Days will crown champions on Sunday with the championship performance beginning at 12:45 p.m.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 26, 2025)- The following are unofficial results from the Semi Finals (seventh performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Saturday, July 25. The top six in each event advance to Championship Sunday.
Bareback Riding: 1, Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 92 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Native Lights, $3,441. 2, Kade Berry, Stephenville, Texas, 88, $2,606. 3, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 87, $1,877. 4, (tie) Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., and Quintonn Lunsford, McCune, Kan., 86.5, $991 each. 6, (tie) Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., and Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La. 86, $261 each.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 9.3 seconds, $5,200. 2, Ty Moser, Volga, S.D., 10.7, $4,300. 3, (tie) Kyan Wilhite, Clovis, N.M., and Pecos Tatum, La Plata, N.M., 11.0, $ 2,950 each. 5, Tripp Brown, Kenansville, Fla., 12.2, $1,600. 6, Jarvis Demery, Beggs, Okla., 12.3, $900.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Stephenville, Texas, 4.9 seconds, $6,510. 2, Shy-Anne Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 5.4, $4,932. 3, Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz., 5.8, $3,551. 4, Brooke Bruner, Parker, Colo., 5.9, $2,367. 5, Sequin Brewer, Union City, Okla., 6.6, $1,381. 6, Maddy Dearman, Hope, N.M., 6.8, $986.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 89.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Devils Advocate, $3,416. 2, Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo., 89, $2,588. 3, (tie) Waitley Sharon, Ordway, Colo., and Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 87, $1,553 each. 6, Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah, 85.5, $518.
Team Roping: (five times) 1, (tie) Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Blaine Vick, Breckenridge, Texas; and Ryon Boatright, Mulhall, Okla., and Jett Hillman, Perry, Okla., 10.6 seconds, $4,930 each. 3, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla., 11.9, $3,580 each. 4, Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo, 12.1, $2,680 each. 5, Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz., and Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, Canada, 15.6, $1,780 each. (Kyle Polich, Cortez, Colo., and T.J. Watts, Eads, Colo., also advance from Semi Final 1.)
Steer Wrestling: 1, Garrett Oates, Huntsville, Texas, 6.0, $4,060. 2, Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii, 6.2, $3,360. 3, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 6.3, $2,660. 4, Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D., 6.5, $1,960. 5, Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla., 6.6, $1,260. 6, (tie) Colten Leech, Chico, Texas, and Nathan Duvall, Hitchita, Okla., 7.7, $350 each. (Leech advances on tiebreaker.)
Barrel Racing: 1, Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas, 17.09 seconds, $5,410. 2, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.21, $4,477. 3, Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 17.33, $3,544. 4, Bristan McCarley, Happy, Texas, 17.35, $2,611. 5, Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont., 17.55, $1,679. 6, Hadley Tidwell, La Luz, N.M., 17.62, $933.
Bull Riding: 1, Gavin Mitchell, Graford, Texas, 88.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s The Judge, $5,200. 2, Robbie Taylor, Chinle, Ariz., 87, $4,300. 3, Ernie Courson, Jr., Okeechobee, Fla., 86, $3,400. 4, Qynn Anderson, Koumala, Queensland, Australia, 85.5, $2,500. 5, Jesse Petri, Dublin, Texas, 83.5. $1,600. 6, Mason Spain, Forney, Texas, 82.5, $900.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (second round winners) 1, Ty Brenna, Keene, N.D., 82 points on Smith Pro Rodeo’s 180, $1,242. 2, Josue Molina, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico,, 80, $941. 3, (tie) Tayson Jones, Howes, S.D., and Mitchell Story, Bayfield, Colo., 79, $564 each. 5, Jase Stout, Bayfield, Colo., 77, $263. 6, Tag Moses, Keenesburg, Colo., 76.5, $188.
(overall winners) 1, Molina, 159, $1,242. 2, (tie) Story, 157, $941. 3, Logan Nunn, Lovell, Wyo., and Moses, 153.5, $564 each. 5, Izaah Bartels, New Underwood, S.D., 153, $263. 6, (tie) Jasper Frost, Browns Valley, Calif., and Stout, 152. $94 each.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Crazy Horse, $600. 2, /M Ranch, $450. 3, Gotta Go, $300. 4, Young Gunz, $150.
Steer Roping: (first round winners) 1, Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla., 13.1, $6,941. 2, Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla., 14.0, $6,036. 3, Tuff Hardman, Atoka, Okla., 14.7, $5,131. 4, Kelton McMillen, Weatherford, Okla., 15.0, $4,225. 5, Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 15.3, $3,320. 6, (tie) Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla.; Jesse Stipes, Salina, Okla., and Cash Fretwell, Pleasanton, Texas, 16.1, $1,056 each.
(second round winners) 1, Riley O’Rourke, Skiatook, Okla., 12.0 seconds, $6,941. 2, Troy Tillard, Douglas, Wyo.,12.2, $6,036. 3, Cash Myers, Kaufman, Texas, 12.4, $5,131. 4, Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas, 12.5, $4,225. 5, Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla.,13.3, $3,320. 6, (tie) Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla.; Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas; and Ryan Rochitz, Pine Bluffs, Wyo., 13.4, $1,509 each.
(finals qualifiers) 1, Deckard. 2, Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas. 3, Poppino. 4, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., 5, Roger Nonella, Redmond, Ore., 6, Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, 7, Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 8, Ty Williams, Sulphur, Okla., 9, Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kansas. 10, Tuff Hardman. 11, Dalton Walker, Clyde, Texas. 12, Chris Pearson, Broken Bow, Neb.’
Local favorite Brody Cress of nearby Hillsdale won Semi Final 2 of saddle bronc riding at Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) with 89.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s horse Devils Advocate. He will be aiming for the CFD record books on Championship Sunday when he tries to become the only cowboy since CFD began in 1897 to win four saddle bronc riding titles. CFD photo by Laura Storey
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
Saddle bronc riding fans have been on the edge of their seats through all of Cheyenne Frontier Days and are in for a treat again today. The youngest boys in Cody Wright’s family, Stetson and Statler are both in the mix. Stetson needs to do well here to move inside the top 15 in the world standings.
Stetson is currently 15th in the world and Statler is 10th. Stetson needs to earn money to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in both of his events, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. Statler wants to be the second member of his family to earn a title at Frontier Park. Stetson was the all-around champion here in 2019, 2021 and 2023, the bull riding champ in 2019 and 2023 and saddle bronc in 2021 and 2022.
Brody Cress is also on a mission. The local favorite is hoping to become the first man in the history of events here to win four saddle bronc riding titles. The rodeo officially began in 1897, and saddle bronc riding was one of the first rodeo competitions held. Cress grew up right here in Laramie County and for him to win four titles would be amazing. He will need to be among the top six finishers today. Also watch for Ian McGivney from Kaycee who went to college in Cheyenne and Brody Wells from Powell who competed at his first NFR last December.
There are two former CFD champs in the bareback riding, Richmond Champion who won it in 2014 and Clay Jorgensen, the champion last year. They are going up against the world standings leader, Rocker Steiner and last year’s world champion, Dean Thompson.
Ernie Courson is always a crowd favorite in the bull riding. When he has a good ride, he will find a spot on the fence, climb up and do a back flip in the arena. He got to do that twice here, once during the rodeo and once during the Xtreme Bulls competition. Courson has been close to qualifying for the NFR, but injuries have kept him outside the top 15. A win here at Cheyenne could be life-changing for him. He is inside the top 50 and could move up significantly. Courson travels across the country with his family and has sons who want to follow in his footsteps.
No one wants to win a bull riding championship here any more than Trey Kimzey. His older brother, Sage, competed here for years and even though he won seven gold buckles for being the best, Sage never got to be on stage here. Clayton Sellars is also waiting for his first win here. He is 13th in the world standings and needs to stay among the top 15 to qualify for his fifth NFR. Sellars is bicoastal with a place in Florida and California. His wife, Billie, is saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman’s sister, and they have a baby boy named Pancho.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
Breakaway roping might be the toughest timed event of Semi Final 2. World number 1 Taylor Munsell who has qualified for every National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) since 2021 leads the field along with four-time and reigning world champion Kelsie Domer. Danielle Lowman, a proud member of the Navajo Nation who attended Dine College, has made three trips to the NFBR and five to the Indian National Finals Rodeo. She recently joined the PRCA so that she can compete in team roping in her circuit, an event she started competing in at age 10.
Also roping today are Maddy Deerman who is fifth in the standings, former high school champion Quincy Sullivan and three others ranked in the top 35. Sierra Spratt may live in Arizona now, but she is a Wyoming girl who grew up in Shoshone.
The tie-down roping features 2022 CFD co-champion Cory Solomon, an NFR veteran, and former world champion Tyson Durfey who is back in championship form after a short retirement. Recent high school graduate Kyan Wilhite was the National High School Champion last year.
Eli Lord won the CFD steer wrestling title in 2019 and proved that was no fluke by winning it again in 2023. Today’s roster also includes 2022 World Champion Jacob Edler and NFR veterans Tristan Martin and Riley Duvall. Duvall and his 20-year-old cousin Nathan, who both are competing today, are part of a steer wrestling dynasty that started in the 1960s with Riley’s grandfather Bill and his world champion great-uncle Roy. Roy who was CFD champion in 1967 with Bill as hazer.
Team roping will feature four former CFD champions, none of whom are roping with the same partner that they won with here before. The 2015 CFD champ Luke Brown is heading for 2019 CFD winner Trey Yates. 2018 champion heeler Joseph Harrison has teamed with fellow Oklahoman Bubba Buckaloo while 2023 champion header Billy Bob Brown is roping with fellow Texan Blaine Vick. Also in the field is Jeremy Buhler who was the first Canadian heeler to qualify for the NFR and the first to win a world championship. Buhler is roping with Aaron Tsinigine who was the first Navajo to earn a heading world title.
The barrel racing features three former CFD champions. Three-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi won the title here in 2007, the year she won her first world championship. Lisa Lockhart, who has more career earnings in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association than any other barrel racer, took home the championship package in 2015, and Shali Lord was co-champion with Nellie Miller during the infamous hailstorm on Championship Sunday in 2019. Tonozzi is second in the 2025 standings and Lockhart is 15th.
Emilee Pauley of Wall, South Dakota, is hoping the family success at the “Daddy of ‘em All” extends to barrel racing. Her father, Bud Pauley, won the saddle bronc riding at CFD in 1985 and her brother, Jesse Bail, won that event in 2011 in Frontier Park.
Semi Finals 1 of the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) ended Friday with half of the roster for Championship Sunday filled.
Wyoming bull rider Hayden Welsh of Gillette made the crowd cheer the loudest when he rode Korkow Rodeos’ bull named Salinas for 90.5 points. The 19-year-old son of seven-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) bull rider Bobby Welsh bested 17 other cowboys to win Semi Finals 1. He has a chance on Sunday to leave Frontier Park with the Welsh family’s first CFD championship.
Welsh wasn’t the only 19-year-old to rack up 90 points on Friday. Oklahoma’s Wacey Schalla dominated the bareback riding with his own 90-point ride on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s horse named Brazos.
Schalla, who is second in the world in both the all-around and bull riding standings, is 29th in the bareback riding world rankings. He would love to qualify for his second NFR in both events after debuting in the bull riding last year. He added $3,500 to his earnings Friday and a win on Sunday would give an even bigger boost to that goal.
Jordan Jo Hollabaugh is the “OG” of breakaway roping at Cheyenne Frontier Days since she won the championship the first time the event was held at Frontier Park in 2019. Then she was Jordan Jo Fabrizio and was wearing her now-husband Raymond Hollabaugh’s CFD champion buckle when she won her own. The next-to-last to rope in the semifinals, she took first with a time of 4.9 seconds.
Reigning world champion team ropers Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp were also next-to-last to rope and topped the field with a 9.3-second run. Wade won the championship here in 2019, roping with Dakota Kirchenschlager, but Thorp is trying to rope his first CFD title.
Riley Pruitt of Gering, Nebraska, won more than $5,000 in the qualifying round for CFD last week. While he didn’t match his qualifier time of 9.6 seconds, his 10.7 was the fastest since the rodeo performances started last Saturday and earned him another $5,200.
Pruitt, son of 1990 world champion Troy Pruitt, last qualified for the NFR in 2019. He boosted his chances to make a fourth trip to Las Vegas when he won the NFR Open in Colorado Springs last month and has continued to rope well since.
Three athletes who have had success at Frontier Park, but never broken through to the winners’ circle, won the semifinals in their specialties. Four-time world champion Zeke Thurston rode Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ horse named Kay’s Big Bay for 87.5 points to take the saddle bronc riding.
Justin Shaffer of Hallsville, Texas, qualified for his first NFR last year in steer wrestling and is ranked 17th now. He won the semifinal with a 5.9-second run. Emily Beisel of Weatherford, Oklahoma, has been to the NFR six times and has a stable of standout horses. This year at CFD she has ridden Vanilla Gorilla, an eight-year-old palomino that she calls Trigger. The horse that she raised is getting his first major rodeo experience at CFD this year. The duo won their quarter final with a 17.24 last Sunday and notched the win today with a 17.27.
Saturday’s Semi Final 2 features quarterfinal winners who did not compete on Friday and begins at 12:45 p.m. when the rest of the field for Championship Sunday will be decided. The end of competition and the crowning of the champion in Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding also happens on Saturday in Frontier Park.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 25, 2025)- The following are unofficial results from the Semi Finals (seventh performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Friday, July 25. Payoff subject to change.
Bareback Riding: 1, Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., 90 points on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Brazos, $3,518. 2, Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan., 88.5, $2,665. 3, (tie) Mason Stuller, Veneta, Ore.; Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont.; and Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb.; 87, $1,279 each. 6, Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La., 86.5, $533.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb., 10.7 seconds, $5,200. 2, Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 11.7, $4,300. 3, John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, 12.4, $3,400. 4, Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla., 12.6, $2,500. 5, Tom Simpson, Malad, Idaho, 12.7, $1,600. 6, Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash., 15.0, $900.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Jordan Hollabaugh, Pueblo, Colo., 4.9 seconds, $6,510. 2, Hannah Giger, Wilburton, Okla., 5.1, $4,932. 3, Jacee Currin, Heppner, Ore., 5.2, $3,551. 4, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M., 5.5, $2,367. 5, Rylee George, Oakdale, Calif., 5.6, $1,381. 6, Shawnee Sherwood, Coolidge, Ariz., 6.0, $986.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, 87.5 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Kay’s Big Boy, $3,416. 2, Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, 86.5, $2,588. 3, Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont., 84.5, $1,242. 5, Weston Patterson, Waverly, Kan., 83.4, $725. 6, Q McWhorter, Petrolia, Calif., and Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, 82, $259 each.
Team Roping: 1, Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and Wesley Thorp, Stephenville, Texas, 9.3 seconds, $5,200 each. 2, (tie) Devon Johnson, Red Oak, Texas, and Zane Pratt, Congress, Ariz.; and Blaine Turner, Batesville, Ark., and Ethan Cory, Hico, Texas, 9.8, $3,850 each. 4, Justin Young, Phoenix, Ariz., and Talon Salazar, Gill, Colo., 10.2, $2,500 each. 5, Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala., and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 10.3, $1,500 each. 6, Kash Bonnett, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, and Logan Cullen, Courtenay, B.C., Canada, 10.4, $900.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 5.9, $4,060. 2, Mason Couch, Bronaugh, Mo., 6.6, $3,360. 3, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 7.5, $2,660. 4, Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La., 7.7, $1,960. 5, Paul Melvin, Paradise, Texas, 7.8, $1,260. 6, Talon Roseland, Marshalltown, Iowa, 8.0, $700.
Barrel Racing: 1, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.27 seconds, $5,410. 2, Bryanna Haluptzok, Ardmore, Okla., 17.32, $4,477. 3, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.33, $3,544. 4, Carlee Otero, Perrin, Texas, 17.35, $2,611. 5, Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 17.43, $1,679. 6, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.44, $933.
Bull Riding: 1, Hayden Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 90.5 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Salinas, $3,441. 2, Colton Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo., 88.5, $2,607. 3, Hayes Weight, Goshen, Utah, 87, $1,877. 4, (tie) Jestyn Woodward, Custer, S.D., and Dakota Warnken, Wakarusa, Ind., 84, $991 each. 6, Andy Guzman, Oakdale, Calif., 83, $521.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding (first round winners): 1, Jasper Frost, Browns Valley, Calif, 83 points on Smith Pro Rodeos A30, $1,242. 2, Izaah Bartels, New Underwood, S.D., 81, $941. 3, Logan Nunn, Lovell, Wyo., 79.5, $677. 4, (tie) Rope Roghair, Isabel, S.D., and Josue Molina, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, 79, $359 each. 5, Mitchell Story, Bayfield, Colo., 77.5, $188. (second round leaders) 1, Molina, 80 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s 158. 2, Tayson Jones, Howes, S.D., 79. 3, Tag Moses, Keenesburg, Colo., 76.5. 4, Eastan West, New Underwood, S.D., 76. 5, Devin Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 75. 6, Nunn, 74. (overall leaders) 1, Molina, 159. 2, (tie) Nunn and Moses, 153.5 each. 4, Regan Lyons, Snyder, Texas, 150.5, 5, Easton West, New Underwood, S.D., 149. 6, Roghair, 146.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Young Gunz, $600. 2, Gotta Go, $450. 3, Buntin Pump, $300. 4, Turquoise Rose, $150.
Hayden Welsh, a 19-year-old from Gillette, Wyoming, is quickly becoming a crowd favorite at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Welsh, whose father qualified for the National Finals Rodeo seven times, scored 90.5 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Salinas to win Semi Finals 1 and advance to Sunday’s championship. CFD photo by Click Thompson
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
The field is as stacked in bareback riding as in any event. A couple of former CFD champions, Orin Larsen (2016) and Kade Sonnier (2023) and former world champion Jess Pope lead a group that includes five of the top 15.
Wacey Schalla’s bid for the 2025 All-Around World Championship could get a big boost if he does well in the bareback riding. The number 1 bull rider in the world standings did not qualify for the semifinals in that event, but he’s second in the all-around and 22nd in the bareback riding.
A pair of Wyoming bareback riders – Tuker Carricato of Saratoga and Myles Carlson of Evanston – should have the crowd’s full support today. Carricato is a two-time national champion at the high school level and is excited to be riding here with guys that he has looked up to.
Ryder Sanford holds the CFD record in saddle bronc riding, set when he won the championship here in 2023. He’d love to repeat, but to get to Championship Sunday he’ll need to do well in a field that includes four-time world champion Zeke Thurston and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ranked bronc riders in the world standings – Canadian Dawson Hay (whose dad Rod won the title here over 25 years ago), Australian Damian Brennan and Idaho’s Kade Bruno – plus three other Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifiers.
The bull riding roster includes two cowboys who did not make the initial cut for CFD and were walk-up replacements at the last minute. Louisiana’s Walon Buquoi and Texan Tyce Willis both capitalized on the opportunity in the Quarter Finals and, with continued success, have a good chance to make the finals.
Tristen Hutchings has finished among the top 5 in the world for the past two seasons and is currently ranked third in the world bull riding standings.
Hayden Welsh of Gillette has already become a crowd favorite at Frontier Park this year and is hoping to follow in his dad Bobby’s footsteps. (Bobby Welsh qualified for the NFR seven times.) The Cheyenne championship never happened for Bobby, so for a Welsh to win it would be gratifying for the whole family. Thayne Elshere of Hereford, S.D., was also inspired by his family. His father JJ Elshere rode saddle broncs at the NFR many times and his cousin Cole Elshere had success in both saddle bronc and bull riding. Don’t count out Hayes Weight who finished second in the world last season.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
The tie-down roping features reigning CFD and world all-around champion Shad Mayfield who could make history as the first roper to win back-to-back championships in Frontier Park. Aiming to spoil that is a field of top ropers, including two-time world champion Riley Webb and 2004 world champion Monty Lewis. Also among today’s ropers are three others in the top 15 – John Douch, Kyle Lucas and Riley Pruitt. All three of them have champion mentors – five-time world champion Joe Beaver, seven-time NFR qualifier and 1985 CFD champion Joe Lucas, and 1990 world champion Troy Pruitt, respectively.
New Mexico’s Rooster Yazzie has a chance at the CFD all-around, steer wrestling and team roping titles. He has already won money in both events, is in the steer wrestling today, and will rope tomorrow. Paul Melvin’s father Marty Melvin was all-around champion at CFD in 1983, and Paul would love to bring home a second title for the family from Frontier Park. Cash Robb, 22, already has one NFR under his belt, and he won the coveted average title in Las Vegas last year. Kyle Irwin has been to six NFRs and won the average there in 2022.
A pair of Oklahomans, Mason Appleton and Rance Doyal, set a new PRCA record in team roping of 3.2 seconds at Nampa, Idaho, last month. Although the start of the cattle are given here means times are much longer, they are capable of winning under any circumstance. Reigning world champions Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp are among today’s teams. Wade won the title here in 2016 with Dakota Kirchenschlager. Nelson Wyatt and Jonathan Torres, a pair of NFR veterans, were featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter last night when the iconic news show broadcast live from CFD.
Four-time World Champion Hailey Kinsel headlines a stellar field of barrel racers. She won the CFD championship in 2021. Also competing today is Sue Smith of Blackfoot, Idaho, who won CFD in 2023 and holds the arena record at 16.89. South Dakota’s Summer Kosel and her horse Apollo tied the fastest time of this year’s rodeo yesterday with a 17.00. They set the arena record here in 2022 and broke their own record in 2023 which held for two runs until Smith broke it.
Anita Ellis, also of Blackfoot, Idaho, may be the hottest barrel racer in the world right now. She rocketed from 32nd in the standings to 5th on the strength of winning everything she could, including the championship at the Calgary Stampede early this month.
Jordan Jo Hollabaugh won the inaugural breakaway roping at CFD as Jordan Jo Fabrizio. Since then, she has married former CFD tie-down champion Raymond Hollabaugh and is known for her breakaway roping podcast “In the Loop.” Hope Thompson qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020 and wants to be back there this year. A win here could boost her chances of returning to breakaway’s world championship. Oklahoma college cowgirl Hannah Giger has already won more than $7,800 at Frontier Park this year. She won one pool of the qualifying round with a time of 3.5 seconds then won her quarterfinals with a 4.6.