July 17-26, 2026
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July 17-26, 2026
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.
With the conclusion of Quarter Final 6 on Thursday afternoon, the field for Thursday’s and Friday’s Semi Finals of the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) is set.
Reigning CFD champion tie-down roper Shad Mayfield of Clovis, N.M., was the final roper of the quarterfinals. His 12.1-second time was fast enough to win Quarter Final 6 and advance him to the Semi Finals.
Mayfield, the reigning world champion all-around cowboy, currently leads the world championship standings in his signature event and has a chance to make CFD history if he continues to win in Frontier Park. Since the event began at CFD in 1920, nine ropers have won the championship here two or more times, but none of them have managed back-to-back titles. If Mayfield advances to Championship Sunday and wins, he will be the first to do so.
Summer Kosel and her horse Apollo, registered as Firewaterfrenchfame, must love to compete in Frontier Park. The South Dakota barrel racer and her main mount have set the arena record twice at Cheyenne Frontier Days – first in 2022 with a time 17.02. They broke their own record in 2023 with 16.97, only to have 2023 CFD champion Sue Smith clock a 16.89 two runs later.
On Thursday Kosel and Apollo tied the fastest time of this year’s rodeo – 17.00 – to win Quarter Final 6. Kosel qualified for the NFR in 2023 and is ranked 23rd this season, so continued success here could give her a major boost in the standings.
Team ropers Nelson Wyatt of Clanton, Alabama, and Jonathan Torres of Ocala, Florida, roped their steer in 9.4 seconds to win Quarter Final 6. Wyatt has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) twice and Torres three times. This season Torres is ranked fifth and Wyatt is 15th. The duo will appear on ESPN’s SportsCenter tonight as part of the iconic daily sports news program’s 50 states in 50 days feature.
Four-time world champion saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston has won almost every major rodeo in North American, including winning his fourth Calgary Stampede title earlier this month, but the Canadian cowboy has yet to win the CFD championship. He started his quest for the elusive prize package with a 90.5 score on Dakota Rodeo’s Cover Girl to win Quarter Final 6.
Friday’s Semi Final 1 features winners from Quarter Finals 4-6 and begins at 12:45 p.m. Those who advanced from Quarter Finals 1-3 will compete on Saturday afternoon.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 24, 2025)- The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (sixth performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Wednesday, July 23. Payoff subject to change.
Bareback Riding: 1, Myles Carlson, Evanston, Wyo., 88 points on Smith Pro Rodeo’s Broadway Boots, $2,722. 2, Jacek Frost, Browns Valley, Calif., 87.5, $2,042. 3, Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 85.5, $1,361. 4, Mason Stuller, Veneta, Ore., 85, $681.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M., 5.0 seconds, $3,157. 2, Amanda Terrell, LaSalle, Colo., 5.2, $2,367. 3, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 5.4, $1,578. 4, (tie) Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz., and Shawnee Sherwood, Coolidge, Ariz., 6.1, $395 each.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 12.1 seconds, $2,000. 2, Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho, 13.2, $1,500. 3, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta, Canada, 13.4, $1,000. 4, Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb., 13.5, $500.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, 90.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Cover Girl, $2,643. 2, Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M., 88.5, $1,982. 3, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, 88, $1,321. 4, Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, 86, $661.
Team Roping: 1, Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala., and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 9.4 seconds, $2,000 each. 2, Skeeter Hill, Stephenville, Texas, and Tommy Zuniga, Yoakum, Texas, 9.7, $1,500 each. 3, Devon Johnson, Red Oak, Texas, and Zane Pratt, Congress, Ariz.,10.1, $1,000 each. 4, Kash Bonnett, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, and Logan Cullen, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada, 10.2, $500 each.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 6.7 seconds, $2,000. 2, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 7.1 seconds, $1,500. 3, Paul Melvin, Paradise, Texas., 7.2, $1,000. 4, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 8.1, $500.
Barrel Racing: 1, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.00 seconds, $2,487. 2, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 17.42, $1,865. 3, Anita Ellis, Blackfoot, Idaho, 17.47, $1,244. 4, Piper Cordes, Wall, S.D., 17.56, $622.
Bull Riding: 1, (tie) Luke Mast, Hutchinson, Kansas, on Dakota Rodeo’s Born to Sin, and Cimarron Rucker, Liberty Hill, Texas, on Dakota Rodeo’s Whatever, 87 points, $2,163 each. 3, Elijah Mora, Wiggins, Colo., 86, $1,664. 4, Andy Guzman, Oakdale, Calif., 85.5, $666.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding (first round leaders): 1, Logan Nunn, Lovell, Wyo., 79.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s 419. 2, (tie) Rope Roghair, Isabel, S.D., and Josue Molina, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, 79. 4, Regan Lyons, Snyder, Texas, 77.5. 4, (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. (overall leaders) 1, Molina, 159. 2, Roghair, 146. 3, (tie) Nunn and Moses, 143.5 each.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Turquoise Rose, $600. 2, Young Gunz, $450. 3, Crazy Horse, $300. 4, Buntin Pump, $150. (Fifth performance-July 23) 1, Turquoise Rose, $600. 2, Gotta Go, $450. 3, Billy Scharton, $300. 4, TeamAgin.com, $150.
Summer Kosel of Glenham, S.D., and her horse Firewaterfrenchfame (nicknamed Apollo) tied the fastest time of this year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo to win Quarter Final 6. The duo stopped the clock in 17.00 seconds, two-hundredths of a second faster than the first time they set the arena record here in 2022. They broke that record in 2023 with a 16.97 which held for two runs until 2023 CFD champ, who still holds the record, ran a 16.87. CFD photo by Tonya Hamner.
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
We expect the saddle bronc riding to be very exciting today. It’s hard to imagine that Zeke Thurston has never been interviewed as the champion here in that event. He has won four world titles and earlier this month won the Calgary Stampede for the fourth time. He is currently fifth in the world standings. He is nearly assured an 11th trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), and he would like to go to Las Vegas in December with the Cheyenne title on his rodeo resume. His father, Skeeter Thurston, won the Rookie Bronc Riding here in 1982.
Fellow Canadian, Dawson Hay is currently 2nd in the world standings and like Zeke, has never won a title here. Dawson’s father, Rod Hay, won the saddle bronc riding in 2000, and Dawson would love to add his name to the champions list at Frontier Park. The third Canadian in this set is another NFR qualifier, Kolby Wanchuck who is 13th in the world standings.
The final Wright to make an appearance in the saddle bronc riding is the oldest of Cody’s boys, Rusty Wright. He has struggled with injuries and hasn’t qualified for the NFR since 2020. He is currently 21st in the world standings and is hoping to move into the top 15 and ride against his three brothers in Las Vegas. Any money he wins here will help him achieve that goal.
Tim O’Connell knows exactly how hard it is to win a championship in this arena. He’s done that three times, in 2017, 2021 and 2022. The three-time world champion has struggled with injuries and is currently unranked in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. A win here could change that and set him up for success in 2026.
Jacek Frost just won the NFR open in Colorado Springs’ Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, the first national title of his career. The first year that Jacek competed here, he was also competing at the National High School Finals Rodeo in 2022. He has momentum on his side now and will be ready to show the fans here his winning ways.
They rode eight bulls yesterday, and the best six punched their tickets to the Semi-Finals. The remainder are trying to add their names to that list today, including Ruger Piva who was the champion here in 2018.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
We have seen fast breakaway roping at Frontier Park already this year, and today’s field promises to add to that. National Finals Rodeo barrel racer Kassidy Dennison won the breakaway roping at the National High School Finals Rodeo in 2010 before she started running barrels in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Dennison advanced out of the Qualifier and is one of three women from the Navajo Nation in today’s field. That list also includes National Finals Breakaway Roping qualifier Danielle Lowman and Bailey Bates.
Suzanne Williams was raised on ranches in Nevada, was twice the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association women’s all-around champion, and now is a rodeo coach at Lassen College in Susanville, California. She is the youngest of six children and the only girl in her family, so growing up, she did everything she could to keep up with her brothers. That serves her well in the rodeo arena and in raising a family.
Since Shad Mayfield won the tie-down roping at Frontier Park last year, he went on to earn the most prestigious title in all of rodeo – world champion all-around cowboy. That was his second gold buckle. He also won the tie-down roping in 2020. He won the Calgary Stampede and is at the top of the world standings. His goal is to get back to the NFR in Las Vegas, have a big lead and a good showing and let the competition and his fans know just how badly he wants to win.
Riley Pruitt hasn’t been to the NFR since 2019 and is ready to get back and compete in the tie-down roping for the third time. Riley won the Qualifier here and has already added $5,315 to his checking account. He is currently 7th in the world standings after winning the NFR Open, and we look for him to be fast today.
Veteran team roping header Clay Smith has a new heeler that is quickly gaining a reputation as a demon in the roping pen. Smith is roping with Nicky Northcott, the son of world champion heeler Steve Northcott. Smith won the title here in 2021 roping with Jade Corkill. Nicky can’t wait to add his name to champion lists across the country.
Levi Rudd won the steer wrestling here in 2018 when it was a muddy mess, and it didn’t bother him a bit. He’s hoping to get a good steer today and have a repeat. Levi is currently 35th in the world, and he won’t let last night’s rain stop him from doing his job if we base that on past experience.
Summer Kosel loves Cheyenne Frontier Days and so does her horse Apollo. They set the arena record here twice before Sue Smith’s run in 2023. And while she has had a lot of success in Frontier Park, she has yet to make the victory lap as the champion. Neither has reigning world champion Kassie Mowry or the sensational Anita Ellis who won the Calgary Stampede. And we can’t count out Leslie Smalygo who made a big impression here in 2022, dyed her hair and ran like her hair was on fire. Barrel racing is going to be worth watching for sure.
Damian Brennan, the 2024 reserve world champion saddle bronc rider from Australia, took first place in Quarter Final 5 at Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) on Wednesday. Brennan, who is currently third in the 2025 standings, scored 90 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s horse named Black Mesa. He edged Wyoming’s Brody Wells by 1.5 points. Both Brennan and Wells advance to the Semi Finals later this week, along with two other bronc riders.
His score matched the best of the rodeo so far, set in Quarter Final 2 by Coleman Shallbetter. Brennan was excited to get the win. Although he has had some success at the “Daddy of ‘em All”, this was the first time he has won a round. His score matched the highest of this year’s CFD.
Rodeo is in Thayne Elshere’s DNA. The second-oldest son of National Finals Rodeo (NFR) veteran saddle bronc rider JJ Elshere of Hereford, South Dakota, Thayne competes in that event, but like his cousin Cole Elshere (another NFR veteran), Thayne also competes in bull riding, and that’s where he was successful on Wednesday.
Elshere scored 90.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s bull named Macho Man to win Quarter Final 5. That was the highest score so far this year at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. He was 1.5 points higher than Cheyenne’s Brenson Bartlett.
California bareback rider R.C. Landingham bested the field on Wednesday. His 89-point ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s horse named Hillbilly matched the high bareback riding score of the week in Frontier Park set on Tuesday by Kade Sonnier.
Landingham currently sits 13th in the standings and is aiming for his sixth NFR.
Not to be outdone by the rough stock riders, breakaway roper Sidney Peters of Hot Springs, South Dakota, caught her calf in 3.6 seconds, the fastest time of the Quarter Finals so far. She will return for the Semi Finals.
Taylor Baize of San Angelo, Texas, is hoping to carry on a family tradition with a win in Frontier Park. Her father Casey Baize was CFD champion bull rider in 2003. She rode her 18-year-old veteran horse MRT Easy on the Pepr (nicknamed Bo) for a time of 17.44 seconds to win the Quarter Final.
Thursday is Give Cancer the Boot Day at CFD. The last Quarter Final of the 2025 rodeo begins at 12:45 p.m. where a new group of rodeo athletes in every event but bull riding will make their bids to advance in the tournament-style format.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 23, 2025)- The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (fifth performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Wednesday, July 23. Payoff subject to change.
Bareback Riding: 1, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 89 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Hillbilly, $2,722. 2, (tie) Weston Timberman, Columbus, Mont., and Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont., $ 1,701 each. 4, (tie) Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan., and Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., 86.5, $ each.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Sidney Peters, Hot Springs, S.D., 3.6 seconds, $3,157. 2, Jacee Currin. Heppner, Ore., 4.3, $2,367. 3, Hope Thompson, Abilene, Texas, 5.2, $1,578. 4, Sierra Spratt, San Tan Valley, Ariz., 5.2, $340 each.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla., 12.0 seconds, $2,000. 2, Myles Kenzy, Iona, S.D., 12.9, $1,500. 3, Jarvis Demery, Beggs, Okla., 14.4, $1,000. 4, Cole Eiguren, Fruitland, Idaho, 15.9, $500.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Damian Brennan, Injune, Queensland, Australia, 90 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Black Mesa, $2,643. 2, Body Wells, Powell, Wyo., 88.5, $1,982. 3, Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, 86, $1,321. 4, Weston Patterson, Waverly, Kan., 86, $661.
Team Roping: 1, (tie) Blaine Turner, Batesville, Ark., and Ethan Cory, Hico, Texas; and Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 9.6, $1,750 each. 3, Mason Appleton, Chelsea, Okla., and Rance Doyal, Kenefic, Okla.,10.0, $1,000 each. 4, Rooster Yazzie, Coyote Canyon, N.M., and Shawn Murphy, Tohatchi, N.M., 10.7, $500 each.
Steer Wrestling: 1, (tie) Wyatt Schaack, Wall, S.D., and Kyler Dick, Oakley, Utah, 6.1 seconds, $1,750 each. 3, Jace Mayfield, Midwest, Wyo., 7.0, $1,000. 4, Rooster Yazzie, Coyote Canyon, N.M., 6.8, $500.
Barrel Racing: 1, Taylor Baize, San Angelo, Texas, 17. 44 seconds, $2,487. 2, Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont., 17.51, $1,865. 3, Avery Ledesma, Las Cruces, N.M., 17.60, $1,244. 4, McKinlee Paschal, Nome, Texas, 17.71 $622.
Bull Riding: 1, Thayne Elshere, Hereford, S.D., 90.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Macho Man, $2,662. 2, Brenson Bartlett, Cheyenne, Wyo., 88.5, $1,785. 3, (tie) Cade Griego, Stanley, N.M.; Andy Guzman, Oakdale, Calif., and Tyce Willis, Alvord, Texas, 87.5, $595 each.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding (first round leaders): 1, Logan Nunn, Lovell, Wyo., 79.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s 419. 2, (tie) Rope Roghair, Isabel, S.D., and Josue Molina, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, 79. 4, Regan Lyons, Snyder, Texas, 77.5. 4, (second round leaders) 1, Molina, 80 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s 158. 2, Tag Moses, Keenesburg, Colo., 76.5. 3, Eastan West, New Underwood, S.D., 76. 4, Nunn, 74. 5, Lyons 73. (overall leaders) 1, Molina, 159. 2, (tie) Nunn and Moses, 143.5 each. 4, Lyons 140.5.
Wild Horse Race: Results not available.
Australian Damian Brennan scored 90 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s horse named Black Mesa to win Quarter Final 5 at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Wednesday. Brennan is now advancing and hoping to leave here with a championship on Sunday. CFD photo by Laura Storey
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
We expect another great day of bareback riding this afternoon. While we have a star-studded lineup, the only former CFD champion on the roster is Clayton Biglow, who won the title in 2019 and went on to win his first gold buckle that year. He also tied for the championship here in 2023. A lot happened between those two titles: Clayton got married, became a dad and is carrying on the tradition of raising the next generation of cowboys.
The next generation of bareback riders is all looking for successful rides today. Weston Timberman, who won the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in 2023 and 2024 and qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year as well as the reigning college champion Cooper Filipek are in the mix. Filipek won that title in June representing Wyoming’s Gillette College.
Also riding today are the 2022 world champion Jess Pope and NFR qualifier Garrett Shadbolt. Jess is currently sixth in the world standings. Garrett has a bit of an advantage at third place and took some time off to be at home when his wife, Katie, gave birth to their fourth child and third girl, Prairie Ann.
Ruger Piva’s favorite rodeo is Cheyenne Frontier Days because it is the first big rodeo where the bull rider got a big check. He joined the PRCA in 2016 and won the bull riding here two years later. He won the title at Wyoming’s Cody Stampede, and if he were to win another title in the Cowboy State, he might just look for some property to invest in. There are several newcomers on the list who are hoping for those big checks that jump start a career.
The saddle bronc riding is stacked with talent with six NFR qualifiers, some contenders and a former world champion and CFD champ. Jacobs Crawley won the title here in 2016 and earned his first world championship the same year. Of the 12 competitors on today’s roster, six are among the top 15 in the world standings including Wyoming’s own Brody Wells who competed at his first NFR last December.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
We have another all-around candidate competing in the steer wrestling and team roping today. Eli Lord competed in those two events on Tuesday and advanced in the steer wrestling. Today, Rooster Yazzie is among the steer wrestlers and then will do the heading for Shawn Murphy. He would love to represent the Navajo Nation on stage on Sunday as a champion here. Erich Rogers won the title here in 2017 heading for Cory Petska. This year he is roping with Kollin VonAhn who was the champion heeler here in 2015.
Jace Mayfield had success here a year ago and wants to build on that this year. Mayfield is the grandson of world champion Frank Shepperson and nephew of NFR qualifier Les Shepperson. He recently competed at the College National Finals Rodeo, competing for Central Wyoming College at Riverton, where he finished as the reserve champion all-around cowboy.
Tucker Allen qualified for his first NFR last December and is looking for his first steer wrestling gold buckle. Allen won RodeoHouston last March, moved to the top of the world standings with that and has remained in the top spot since then. Allen also does the hazing for other competitors. He is known for his horsemanship and cowboy try, two things that serve any competitor well here.
San Angelo, Texas, has become known as the tie-down roping capital of the world, and Dylan Hancock is solidifying the moniker. Dylan was one of three competitors from the town to compete at last year’s NFR. Hancock is on the roster today and hoping to take a title from the “Daddy of ‘em All” back home to celebrate his cowboy skills.
Sierra Spratt may list San Tan Valley, Arizona, as her home, but really the breakaway roper is a Wyoming Cowgirl. She grew up near Shoshoni, Wyoming, then attended Cal Poly State University and earned her master’s degree in communications. Along with competing at rodeos, she is also a broadcaster and television producer for Teton Ridge, owner of the Cowboy Channel.
Hope Thompson didn’t grow up in a rodeo family but has been making a living with a rope through breakaway competitions and clinics. She qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020. She is just outside the top 50 in the world standings, and a win here could change her whole season.
Today’s barrel race has two major family connections. Taylor Baize, a rising star, is competing in the same arena her father won the bull riding title over 20 years ago. Casey Baize won that title in 2003.
Kelly Yates watched her brother J.D. Yates win the steer roping here in 1994, then the all-around awards in 2016. Three years later, her nephew, Trey Yates, J.D.’s son, won the team roping with Dustin Bird. Kelly would love to add her own name to the list of Cheyenne’s champions and continue the Yates legacy in Frontier Park.