Cheyenne Frontier Days, Inc. has named Tucker Fagan, to its newly-created Executive Director position for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Foundation.
The Cheyenne Frontier Days Foundation, Inc. was established in 2015 to support the charitable and educational aspects of Cheyenne Frontier Days. The Foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) and can receive cash, real estate, and other properties, with the goal of providing support to charitable and educational Cheyenne Frontier Days activities.
Fagan spent 30 years in the United States Air Force, where he was head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nuclear Section. In this position, he prepared the “football” for President Reagan, and taught the President the plan’s procedures, timing, and options. Fagan was also Strategic Air Command, Wing Commander, and Vice Commander of 20th Air Force.
Upon retirement Fagan was immediately hired as Director of the Department of Commerce, where he restructured it into the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Within the year, Fagan moved into the role of Wyoming Business Council CEO, where he stayed for eight years. Fagan then helped Cynthia Lummis with her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. Lummis won, and he continued as her Chief of Staff through her eight years in the House.
He is no stranger to the Cheyenne Frontier Days organization. Fagan has served on the General Committee, Board of Directors, as President of the CFD Volunteer Crisis Fund, and was inducted into the CFD Hall of Fame in 2013.
Fagan is currently on the Board of ALIGN, CFD Foundation Board, CFD Building Authority, City of Cheyenne and Laramie County Joint Powers Board – Frontier Park Improvements, and the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Group.
Fagan said of his new role, “The Cheyenne Frontier Days Foundation has been instituted to preserve and promote the legacy of the West. The Western heritage personified by rodeo exemplifies community involvement, willingness to help a neighbor, and dedication to doing what is right. Highlighting this spirit and fostering it is an objective of Cheyenne Frontier Days and the recently created Foundation. I am honored to work for Cheyenne Frontier Days and to help make the Foundation an integral part of the rodeo family and the agricultural community.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days and Vitalant are once again teaming up for the “Give the Gift of Life” Blood Drive.
This year, blood is needed more than ever, and we are asking our volunteers and friends of CFD to step up and give a blood donation.
On average, blood donors give about 6,000 fewer donations through Vitalant in December than other months, but patients can’t take a holiday from needing blood. Patients who need transfusions depend on volunteer blood donors year-round. All blood types are needed, but especially type O donations – the most transfused blood type.
The Blood Drive will be Tuesday, December 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center.
Every Donor will be given a 30% discount card from the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum Store and entered in a drawing to win:
We urge you to make an appointment by going to donors.vitalant.org and using the code C0124 (the letter C, numeral zero, 124).
Donors may also call (307) 638-3326 to schedule an appointment and walk-ins are also welcome.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – It was a two horse race from July to December with Shelby Boisjoli and Sawyer Gilbert battling back and forth. Boisjoli entered her second Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping as the No. 1 roper following her big win at the ProRodeo Tour Finale in Salinas.
Boisjoli held that spot until the 10th round of the Wrangler NFBR at the Orleans Arena when Gilbert moved in front by $86.32. Boisjoli was leading the average until a no time in the eighth round opened the door for Gilbert to win her first gold buckle. She didn’t let that opportunity pass and not only won the world but went ahead and won the average title as well in a total time of 46.30 seconds on 10. Actually, Gilbert was the only lady in the top 15 to rope all 10 head.
“That is one of my strengths as I can always catch,” said Gilbert about the average title. “I told myself even if I broke a barrier to get all 10 roped and this means the world to me.”
Gilbert won the world with $71,654 compared to Boisjoli with $69,457.
“Holy cow,” responded Gilbert when she learned she had won the world. “I knew I could do it and just wanted to catch that last calf. This has been a dream before I even knew it was possible on this big stage. I am so honored and glad to get it done.”
Taylor Munsell, former college coach, finished third in the world with $57,896 after finishing second in the average in a time of 25.10 on nine head.
Kelsie (Chace) Domer and Gilbert got things started on the final day of the National Finals Breakaway Roping winning the sixth round after stopping the clock in 2.0 seconds. They each added $3,949 to their bank accounts.
The time of 1.8 seconds was the sweet spot for the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth rounds as that was the winning time for each. The seventh round won by Martha Angelone was just a tick off the fastest time of the event which came in the fourth round by Joey Williams with a 1.7. It would be Williams that took the eighth round victory lap after turning in her own 1.8 second run. Domer and Munsell were second in 2.1 seconds.
The ninth round was won by Cheyanne Guillory and Angelone with identical 1.8 second runs. Danielle Lowman a proud representative of the Navajo Nation was third in a time of 1.9 seconds.
She waited until the end like she did last year at the NFBR but better late than never. Seventeen time WPRA World Champion JJ Hampton took the 10th round win with her own 1.8 second run.
Another first for Gilbert was the average title as during the 2020 Wrangler NFBR an average was not awarded so she became the inaugural average champion.
Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) announced tickets for the 2022 event will go on sale December 15. Tickets for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Last Cowboy Standing series, CFD Ticket Packages, Carnival Armbands and Gift Cards (redeemable for tickets or merchandise) will go on sale.
Tickets go on sale December 15 at 9 a.m. MT at www.cfdrodeo.com, and by calling (307) 778-7222. The CFD Ticket Office will not be open for in-person sales at this time.
The 126th annual “Daddy of ‘em All®” will feature nine days of fast-paced PRCA rodeo culminating in Championship Sunday where champions are crowned, and legends are made.
For two nights, the Top-40 stars of the PBR will return to attempt to conquer the sport’s rankest bulls on the historic Wyoming Dirt. The grueling match between Man and Beast continues until one prevails and is crowned the Last Cowboy Standing.
There will be hundreds of vendors, a full carnival, artists, food, and music that celebrate the history and culture of the American West.
Daily rodeo tickets range from $18 – $43. A $3 discount is offered on rodeo tickets purchased before July 1. PBR tickets range from $25 – $105 with special Elite Seating and V.I.P. tickets also available at various prices. Carnival Armbands will be $35 per session or $140 for all 10 days.
Cheyenne Frontier Days has partnered with AXS, a global leader in ticketing for the entertainment world. Through this partnership, the latest innovations in mobile ticketing, ticket forwarding, online account management, payment plans and resale are available to our ticket purchasers.
2022 event attendees will use AXS Mobile ID technology through the AXS App which provides contactless, secure, and personalized fan experiences. Attendees will need to download the AXS App to access digital ticket purchases for 2022.
Artist Announcements are coming in Spring 2022. For the full range of pricing and more event information, please visit www.cfdrodeo.com.
The nomination forms for the 2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Hall of Fame Class are currently available. Don’t miss your opportunity to nominate the person or entity that you believe has helped shape Cheyenne Frontier Days™ into the “Daddy of ‘em All.” All nominations must be postmarked by January 19, 2022. Nominations are open to the public (you don’t have to be a member of the CFD Old West Museum to nominate) and are limited to past and present Cheyenne Frontier Days™ contestants, contract personnel, entertainers, livestock, families, organizations, and volunteers.
Cheyenne Frontier Days™ plays an important role in the community and it’s time to honor those that have helped make it what it is today.
Nomination forms are available at the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum or online at https://cfdrodeo.com/
Call the CFD Old West Museum at (307) 778-7236 or visit us online for more information.
Quick Facts:
Who: CFD Hall of Fame Nomination Forms are open to the public.
What: The CFD Hall of Fame honors those who have made a distinctive contribution to Cheyenne Frontier Days™.
When: Nomination forms are available now and are due by January 19, 2022.
Where: Find your nomination form at the CFD Old West Museum or online at https://cfdrodeo.com/
How: Fill out your nomination form and either mail it or bring it to the CFD Old West Museum. You can also send a letter explaining why your candidate is the best choice for the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Hall of Fame.
Contact: Curtis Olson, Registrar, at curtis.olson@oldwestmuseum.org
Hey Rodeo and Music Fans – Join the Club – the exciting, new Cheyenne Frontier Days Season Ticket Club!
Cheyenne Frontier Days is now taking applications for its newly restructured Season Ticket Program. Fans can choose from three membership options to fit their needs and their budget! Clubs include all rodeo and night show events, or just rodeos or night shows. Benefits include priority and reserved seating, optional parking perks, ticket resale options and flexible payment plans. New membership options are perfect for businesses, clients and customers too. Apply online at cfdrodeo.co/TicketClub by November 30.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The WPRA is pleased to announce their contract award winners that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen and keeps the Association alive and well. Each winner will be officially recognized during the WPRA Star Celebration at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on December 2.
Honored this year with the WPRA Outstanding Rodeo Committee Partner is the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. The Daddy of ’em All celebrated 125 years in 2021 and in doing so they also added ladies breakaway roping offering equal money to the rest of the events. This was a huge step in keeping the ball rolling for WPRA Breakaway Roping to not only add the event but allow the ropers to run at equal money as the barrel racers and all the men’s events. In 2020, breakaway roping was added to 54 PRCA rodeos and in 2021 that number grew to an astonishing 214. The ladies of the WPRA thank Cheyenne for being a leader and to all the other committees who have included this second women’s event to their line-up.
Another leader in the rodeo industry this past year was stock contractor Pete Carr, who has been an advocate for improving the ground conditions for the barrel racers at his rodeos with a drag or hand rake. Carr will be honored for the second time with the WPRA Stock Contractor of the Year Award. He last earned the honor in 2014.
This year’s Corporate Partner of the Year award goes to Resistol. Each year they have honored the barrel racing rookie of the year and beginning this year they are now also recognizing the breakaway roping rookie of the year. Both ladies (Kylee Scribner and Madison Outhier) will be officially recognized at the Resistol Rookie luncheon in Las Vegas and during the seventh performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame will be receiving the Distinguished Partnership award. The award is given in recognition for the years in keeping the history of women in the western industry alive and well and for being gracious hosts for the WPRA luncheons last year when the NFR was moved to Arlington due to the pandemic.
Rodeo committees have long been the backbone of the rodeo industry and that has never been more apparent given all the challenges the pandemic has inflicted over the last two years. Without the hardworking rodeo committees, the industry would have a hard time existing. Winning the WPRA Large Rodeo of the Year award in 2021 is the San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo. The Golden Spike Rodeo in Tremonton, Utah, will be honored as the Medium Rodeo of the Year and the Will Rogers Stampede in Claremore, Oklahoma, will take home the Small Rodeo of the Year.
The WPRA would like to congratulate each of the award recipients as well as those that were nominated for these prestigious awards.
Below is a full list of those that will be recognized by the WPRA in 2021:
Announcer of the Year Will Rasmussen
Stock Contractor of the Year Carr Pro Rodeo – Pete Carr
Judge of the Year Wade Woolstenhulme
Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year Dottie Hayes
Small Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,000 or less) Will Rogers Stampede (Claremore, OK)
Medium Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,001 – $9,999) Golden Spike Rodeo (Tremonton, UT)
Large Rodeo of the Year (added money over $10,000) San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo
Corporate Partner of the Year Resistol
Media Award Julie Mankin
Lenora Reimers’ Heritage Award Doreen Wintermute
Outstanding Individual of the Year Jason Jenson
Outstanding Service & Dedication Award Jimmie Munroe
Distinguished Partnership National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Lifetime Family Heritage Award Lori Todd Family
NFR Achievement Award Heidi Schmidt
Outstanding Rodeo Committee Partner Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days
Innovative Media Partner The Cowboy Channel
Innovative Rodeo of the Year Mesilla Valley Stampede (2020 standalone Turquoise Circuit Barrel Racing Finals) – Mesquite, NM
The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) General Committee has named a new Contract Acts Committee Chair.
The new Contract Acts Chairman is Scott Lewis. He has been a CFD volunteer since 1998. Lewis has served on the Contract Acts committee as an assistant and a lead, and he was inducted into the HEELS organization five years ago.
The Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee has already begun planning for the 126th Daddy of ‘em All.
Jordan Johnson has been named Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Lady-In-Waiting 2022 after a selection process including submitting a written application, an accomplishment book, a horsemanship skills demonstration, and an interview.
Jordan is the daughter of Darrel Johnson and Steve and Rachelle Zimmerman. She is a 2019 graduate of Cheyenne Central High School. Currently, she is employed at University of Wyoming, where she is also pursuing a degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences.
Johnson represented CFD across Wyoming and surrounding states for four years as a Dandy. She was also a 4-H member for 9 years, winning numerous placings including Grand Champion Horse Showman, Grand Champion Quarter Horse, Grand Champion Photograph and Grand Champion Western Reining. Jordan is a longtime volunteer of many organizations including Cheyenne Firefighters Charitree, The Empty Stocking Fund, Day of Giving, Booklover’s Bash, United Way of Laramie County Kickoff event, and Women’s Civic League workshops.
“I am so honored to be named Miss Lady-in-Waiting. I am so exceptionally humbled to have been entrusted with representing the 3,000+ volunteers that make this show possible. I hope to make each and every one of them proud. I am so excited to work with the General Committee and Savannah to make the 126th a great year. Here is to the Daddy of ‘em All,” Johnson said.
Jordan will work with Miss Frontier, Savannah Messenger in 2022 to represent Cheyenne Frontier Days.
The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) General Committee has named its new General Committee members for the 2022 celebration.
Following Bob Mathews as Indians Chairman is Mariah Johnson. She is currently a Local Programs Specialist at the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Johnson has a B.S. in agricultural business from the University of Wyoming. She has been a CFD Indians Committee volunteer for 10 years and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2015.
Following retired Col. Brian Rico as Military Chairman is Col. Deane R. Konowicz, the Vice Commander of the 90th Missile Wing at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. Deane has served in the United States Air Force for 22 years; he is a graduate of several universities and holds a bachelors degree and three masters degrees. He is a volunteer on the Military Committee and has supported Cheyenne Frontier Days over 11 years.
The existing Tickets and Security Committees, led respectively by John Svoboda and William “Buck” Reisner, have been combined to create a new committee focused on customer service. Leading this new committee will be retired Col. Brian Rico.
The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ General Committee has already begun planning for the 126th Annual “Daddy of ‘em All.”