July 23-August 1, 2027
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July 23-August 1, 2027
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 27, 2026) — From sunup to sunset, the 130th edition of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) delivered new experiences and existing traditions.
This year’s theme, the “Year of the American Indian,” honored the American Indians who have been a part of Cheyenne Frontier Days since its inception. CFD opened the Morning Star American Indian Village on July 17, a complex dedicated to the history and culture of the Plains Indians. Mo Brings Plenty, star of Yellowstone and Marshals, was the Master of Ceremonies for a capacity crowd.
Cheyenne Frontier Days, established in 1897, is made possible with the dedication of the Cheyenne community, staff, and more than 2,600 volunteers who put in countless hours to bring the celebration to life.
Over 800 rodeo contestants came to Frontier Park to compete for $1.1 million in prize money. A Friday rodeo performance was added so fans were able to attend 10 full days of rodeo. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Xtreme Bulls returned for its second year after winning 2025 Event of the Year. Wyoming native Hayden Welsh won the event and $26,660.
Across 10 rodeo performances, 113,787 fans attended the event, compared to 110,383 in 2025. All performances were broadcast by the Cowboy Channel. Thursday’s performance celebrated the Day of the American West, in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday, and the final Saturday honored the National Day of the Cowboy.
Cheyenne Frontier Days opened the new Chute 9 VIP facility at the south end of the historic arena, offering new views and experiences for guests.
The new Morning Star American Indian Village introduced visitors to native dance, art and storytelling with Northern Arapahoe and Eastern Shoshone central to the experience. Over 55,000 people visited the village in its new location.
On-site attractions included various musical stages around the park, vendors and the carnival. New this year, fans got a front-row seat in The Garden for Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen, a live talk show hosted by rodeo’s famous barrelman.
The Behind the Chutes Tours remained a popular free experience, with 2,398 guests getting a behind-the-scenes look at the rodeo arena and livestock.
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. The U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds made a special flyby during the rodeo. The Red Eyes of the 120th Fighter Squadron, 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard took to the Wyoming skies for flybys throughout the week.
Frontier Nights drew 109,861 attendees, compared to 99,167 in 2025. The return of the PRCA Xtreme Bulls two-night event brought the top 40 bull riders in the world together to compete against some of the toughest bulls in the sport. 15,146 fans turned out for high-scoring rides compared to 13,977 in 2025.
In addition to rodeo and concert attendance, 44,344 gate admission tickets were sold, compared to 26,060 in 2025.
Total attendance was 283,138 compared to 249,587 in 2025.
Veterinarians conducted multiple daily health inspections on all animals. 33 animals were checked by veterinarians. Two did not recover.
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 17,559 people during the free pancake breakfasts.
“Cheyenne Frontier Days 2026 was remarkable,” said General Chairman Hans Ritschard. “Celebrating the Year of the American Indian gave us an incredible platform to honor a history and culture that’s been part of this celebration since the very beginning. 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.”
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 26, 2026) — The 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) ended its 10-day run with an electric final championship round. Champions were crowned in all eight professional rodeo events, plus the all-around and the wild horse race.
Three champions were following a legacy at the Daddy of ‘em all beginning in the saddle bronc riding with three-time world champion Ryder Wright. The second-oldest son of Cody Wright, who won two world titles but never won the rodeo here, followed the success of his younger brother Stetson who has won the all-around, bull riding and saddle bronc riding at Frontier Park.
Three cowboys scored 92 points on Championship Sunday, beginning with four-time CFD champ Brody Cress on Summit Pro Rodeo’s horse called Heavy Feathers. Then Montana’s Sage Newman matched with Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ THE Black Tie, a horse that has carried the past three CFD champs to the title. Newman scored 92 and tied with Cress. Wright was next to leave the chute on Rafter S Rodeo’s horse named Cancun Moon. The bronc has a hard-to-track style, and Wright said he “had never seen a right-handed guy get along with this horse.” Wright, who rides right-handed, marked 92 points for a three-way tie which was broken by money won at CFD before the championship round.
“I’ve competed here 11 years and it finally went my way,” Wright said. He commented on the intense competition, adding that he “likes to beat people at their best, not when they fall off.”
In team roping the championship was also a close race with world champions Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira stopping the clock in 7.6 seconds to take the lead with one team to go. Texas young guns Tyler Tryan and Nicky Northcott, the final team, matched the champs’ effort. Both teams had earned the same in the earlier competition, so the championship went to the duo with the fastest time before the finals – the Texans.
Tryan, 20, and Northcott, 19, are sons of champion ropers Clay Tryan and Steve Northcott and have been roping together since they were about 10 years old. In May they decided to rope together professionally and that decision proved wise. They are ranked seventh and sixth respectively in the world standings. Tryan is the second roper in his family to win a CFD title. His father Clay won in 2013 and 2022.
Cole Eiguren of Fruitland, Idaho, earned the all-around title, competing in the tie-down and team roping. His grandfather Jack Hannum won the CFD all-around title in both 1977 and 1979, competing in steer wrestling and tie-down roping. Hannum also won event titles in both of those events in 1979 (steer wrestling) and 1977 (tie-down roping).
The first cowboy to compete on Championship Sunday was steer roper Slade Wood of Stephenville, Texas. He set the pace with a time of 12.3 seconds that none of the other ropers could beat to win the title. Wood, who has competed at the National Finals Steer Roping four times at age 23, had been concentrating more on team roping this year.
The bareback riding competition was tight with four rides in the 90s. The first to score 90 was former high school national champion Kash Loyd. Montana’s Trevar McAllister then scored 91.5. Oklahoma’s Jayco Roper, a third-generation rodeo athlete who has been to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) twice, came within half a point of tying the CFD record with 93 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s horse named CC Blue. Former CFD champ Kade Sonnier, the last to ride, scored 91.5 to tie McAllister.
Idaho cowboy Britt Bedke took the win in the tie-down roping with a time of 10.3 seconds. Bedke has competed at CFD four times, making the finals three of them. “This is a dream win for me,” he said. Bedke was riding an eight-year-old horse he calls Rico.
Cheyanne McCartney took the breakaway roping win in Cheyenne. The Louisiana native who now lives in Oklahoma is having her best pro rodeo season. She vaulted to the world standings earlier this month by winning the Calgary Stampede. The final roper on Sunday, McCartney roped her calf in 4.3 seconds for the championship.
Cole Pugh, a two time College National Finals Rodeo qualifier for Sam Houston State University in his native Texas, bested two-time NFR cowboy Tristan Martin by one-tenth of a second to win the steer wrestling.
Montana’s Tayla Moykens finished as reserve champion here in 2025. This year she was back on her horse KN Fames Best Yet that she calls Yeti who seems to love Frontier Park. Moykens, a former college national champion, was the 11th of 12 women to compete. She took the lead with a time of 17.41 seconds, but had to wait for reigning and two-time CFD champion Lisa Lockhart to run. Lockhart knocked over the first barrel and Moykens knew she had won the championship.
The bull riding winner, Luke “Colorado Kid” Mackey, was aiming for redemption after he was unsuccessful during the CFD Xtreme Bulls event this past Monday and Tuesday. His 90-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Tiger King took the championship. Mackey, who was 15th going into the end of last season, is ranked sixth in the current world standings and should avoid the nerve-wracking end-of-season race to qualify for his second NFR.
The 131st edition of Cheyenne Frontier Days is planned for July 2027.
Bareback Riding – Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., $15,800
Steer Roping – Slade Wood, Stephenville, Texas, $12,056
Tie-Down Roping – Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, $11,950
Breakaway Roping – Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, Okla., $16,864
Saddle Bronc Riding – Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah, $14,633
Team Roping – Tyler Tryan, Lipan, Texas & Nicky Northcott, Stephenville, Texas, $12,600
Steer Wrestling – Cole Pugh, Jasper, Texas, $14,200
Barrel Racing – Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont., 17.41, $16,265
Bull Riding – Luke Mackey, Ignacio, Colorado, $13,650
All-Around – Cole Eiguren, Fruitland, Idaho, $11,100 in tie-down and team roping
The following are unofficial results from the Championship Finals, the 10th performance of the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Sunday, July 26.
Steer Roping: 1, Slade Wood, Stephenville, Texas, 12.3, $11,280. 2, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 13.2, $9,588. 3, Tyrel Taton, Belle Fourche, S.D., 13.7, $7,896. 4, Tyler Hargrave, Canyon, Texas, 14.1, $6,768. 5, Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas, 14.7, $5,640. 6, Troy Tillard, Douglas, Wyo., 14.9, $3,948. 7, Tyler Waters, Stephenville, Texas, 20.0, $2,820. 8, Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas, 24.2, $2,256.
Bareback Riding: 1, Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., 83 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ CC Blue, $12,000. 2, (tie) Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La., and Trevar McAleeister, Ronan, Mont., 91.5, $8,000. 4, Kash Loyd, Cleburne, Texas, 90, $4,400. 5, Bryce Eck, Redfield, Kan., 89, $2,800. 6, Ethan Mazurenko, Thorhild, Alberta, 87.5, $2,000. 7, Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 87, $1,600. 8, Roedy Farrell, Thermopolis, Wyo., 86.5, $1,200.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, 10.3, $9,200. 2, Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La., 10.5, $8,000. 3, Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, 10.7, $6,800. 4, Cole Eiguren, Fruitland, Idaho, 11.0, $5,600. 5, Cash Endereli, Liberty, Texas, 11.4, $4,400. 6, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 12.4, $3,200. 7, Brayden Roe, Wendell, Idaho, 12.6, $2,000. 8, Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas, 13.0, $800.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, Okla., $11,915. 2, Jenna Dallyn, Nanton, Alberta, 5.0, $9,861. 3, Maddy Jacobs, Hope, N.M., 5.1, $7,806. 4, Jill Tanner, Stephenville, Texas, 7.1, $5,752. 5, Kirby Rawlinson, Waller, Texas, 7.6, $3,698. 6, Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., 15.2, $2,054
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, (tie) Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah, on Rafter S Rodeo’s Cancun Moon; Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., on Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics The Black Tie; and Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., on Summit Rodeo’s Heavy Feathers, 92 and $9,333 each. 4, (tie) Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, and Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 90.5, $3,600. 6, Mitchie Story, Bayfield, Colo., 90, $2,000. 7, Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo., 88.5, $1,600. 8, (tie) Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah and Q Taylor, Nanton, Alberta, $600.
Team Roping: 1, Tyler Tryan, Lipan, Texas, and Nicky Northcott, Stephenville, Texas; and Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Sao Paulo, Brazil; 7.6 and $8,600 each. 3, Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz., and Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 8.4, $6,800. 4, (tie) Coy Rahlmann, Ellsinore, Mo., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M.; and Brye Crites, Welch, Okla., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas; 10.3, $5,000. 6, Austin Crist, Wiley, Colo., and Dave Tripp, Penrose, Colo., 10.5, $3,200.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Cole Pugh, Jasper, Texas, 5.3, $9,200. 2, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 5.4, $8,000. 3, Cole Walker, Springtown, Texas, 5.8, $6,800. 4, Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho, 6.8, $5,600. 5, Quentin Wheeler, Baker, Mont., 7.3, $4,400. 6, Traver Johnson, Eltopia, Wash., 8.5, $3,200. 7, Clayton Culligan, Okeechobee, Fla., 9.4, $2,000. 8, Zach Hamar, Yuma, Colo., 12.1, $800.
Barrel Racing: 1, Tyla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont., 17.41, $12,148. 2, Jana Bean, Fort Hancock, Texas, 17.44, $10,53. 3, Loralee Ward, Fort Lupton, Colorado, 17.48, $7,959. 4, Steely Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 17.62, $5,864. 5, Kim Squires, Carnegie, Okla., 17.63, $3,770. 6, (tie) Heidi Gunderson, Murdock, Minn.; and Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas; 17.83, $1,047 each.
Bull Riding: 1, Luke Mackey, Ignacio, Colo., 90 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Tiger King, $12,000. 2, Braxton Whitesell, Walker, La., 88.5, $9,200. 3, (tie) Lane Vaughan, Klamath Falls, Ore., and Hudson Bolton, Milan, Tenn., 88 and $5,600 each. 5, Grady Young, Leader, Saskatchewan, 86, $2,800.
Wild Horse Race: (Sunday) 1, Team Again, $1,060. 2, Team Masi, $795. 3, Baty Bunch, $530. 4, Team Young Guns, $265. (overall champions) Team Masi.
All competition today starts with a clean slate. The championships will be determined by the fastest time or highest score today.
Steer Roping
Today’s rodeo opens with steer roping, an event that has a history going back to 1898. There are two former champions in the mix. Scott Snedecor, a former world champion from Fredericksburg, Texas, won at Frontier Park first in 2009, then again in 2025. Troy Tillard from Douglas, Wyoming, was the champion here in 2023.
Bareback Riding
Kade Sonnier tied for the title here in 2023 and is hoping to be on stage all by himself today. He has a really good opportunity as the horse that he will ride is the reigning world champion bareback horse. Lunatic Heaven, owned by Montana’s Brookman Rodeo Company, took Kade Berry to an arena-record win here last year.
Team Roping
Today’s team roping has several former CFD champions in the mix. The most recent is Billy Bob Brown, who won the heading in 2023. This year he is roping with Blaine Vick, who is hoping for his first title. Luke Brown is in a similar situation. He won in 2015 heading for Kollin VonAhn. This year he is roping with Hunter Koch. Erich Rogers and Cory Petska are the only header and heeler that have made the victory lap together in Frontier Park. They earned the title in 2015. Former world champions Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira are roping for their first title here.
Saddle Bronc Riding
The saddle bronc riding is the most star-studded event of the day with three world champions – Statler Wright, Ryder Wright and Zeke Thurston – who hold a total of eight titles. All three have family members who have earned CFD titles. Thurston’s dad Skeeter won the rookie bronc riding in 1982. Statler and Ryder’s brother Stetson has won all-around, saddle bronc and bull riding titles here.
Brody Cress hasn’t won a world title, but he has owned the saddle bronc riding at his hometown rodeo with four CFD championships – three consecutive from 2017 to 2019 and another last year
The past three years, the horse that has carried a rider to a Cheyenne Frontier Days championship in saddle bronc riding has been THE Black Tie owned by Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics. That just happens to be the horse picked in a random draw for Montana’s Sage Newman.
Zeke Thurston has four world championships to his credit but has yet to win here. His father, Skeeter Thurston, won the Rookie Bronc Riding in 1982.
Breakaway Roping
In 2019, the very first time that breakaway roping was part of our rodeo, Jordan Jo Fabrizio, now Hollabaugh, earned the championship while wearing a buckle that Raymond Hollabaugh won in the tie-down roping in 1983. She has qualified for the finals the past three years. Sawyer Gilbert won here in 2021.
Tie-Down Roping
A pair of CFD champions are part of the tie-down roping field. Shane Hanchey, the 2013 world champion, won his buckle in 2018, and Cory Solomon was the winner in 2022.
Steer Wrestling
Nick Guy is the only former CFD champion in steer wrestling. He won the title in 2015.
Barrel Racing
Three former CFD champions are vying for the barrel racing championship. Reigning champ Lisa Lockhart won in 2015, then again a decade later. Four-time world champion Hailey Kinsel got her Cheyenne buckle in 2021 and Wyoming native Andrea Busby was the champion in 2022.
Wyoming Contestants
Nine contestants will be working to earn titles for their home state of Wyoming. Troy Tillard in steer roping; Roedy Farrel in bareback riding; Brody Cress and Brody Wells in saddle bronc riding; Cameron Irwin, Coley Nichols and Sid Sporer in team roping; and Hayden Welsh and Cheyenne cowboy Brenson Bartlett in bull riding.
Saddle bronc riders steal the show at Cheyenne Frontier Days
CHEYENNE, Wyo., (July 25, 2026) — Semi-finals Saturday was a warmup for the action to come in the finals at the 130th edition of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.
The dream of winning one of the most legendary rodeos in the world is one step closer for many contestants. Among them is Tory Johnson from Oklahoma City whose dreams of steer wrestling were nearly cut short two years ago.
In May of 2024, his head met the bucking chutes in an accident in Corpus Christi, Texas. The wreck was as dangerous as it sounds. He had four skull fractures and a spinal fluid leak among other injuries. Doctors didn’t know if he would ever be able to ride a horse again.
With his performance in Frontier Park on Saturday, he showed the world that he can not only ride a horse, he can compete with the best steer wrestlers and win. Johnson stopped the clock in 5.8 seconds to win Semi-Finals 3. That got him a check for $3,000 and put him in contention for a championship here. Johnson, who lost the hearing in one ear, competes with a specially made helmet. At 41-years-old, he has learned how to make the best of his situation and is very grateful for the opportunity to compete.
The bareback riding was exciting again with Montana’s Trevar McAllister taking the top spot with a 91-point ride on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Indecent Exposure. While the win was important for him, the men behind him also are excited to be riding for a title on Sunday. Among those is Kash Loyd who qualified in the fourth spot. Loyd, from Cleburne, Texas, had qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo when he got the last minute phone call that he could compete at Cheyenne’s rodeo. He earned the top spot the first time he competed here, advanced to the semifinals and now is riding for a championship at 18 years old.
Kim Squires from Carnegie, Oklahoma, was another replacement at this year’s rodeo. Her opportunity came in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel race. Squires and her great horse Assuredly Epic competed on the first day, July 17, and had the second fastest time at 18.30 seconds. That gave them an opportunity to compete in Semi-Finals 3 where they improved their time dramatically. The clock stopped at 17.37 and she has now run the fastest time of the rodeo so far.
Championship competition begins at 12:45 on Sunday where the highest score or fastest time in the performance will be crowned the 2026 champion.
The following are unofficial results from Semi-Finals 3, the eighth performance of the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Saturday, July 25.
Bareback Riding: 1, Trevar McAllister, Ronan, Mont., 91 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Indecent Exposure, $3,000. 2, Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, 90.5, $2,000. 3, Ben Kramer, Max, N.D., 90, $1,500. 4, Kash Loyd, Cleburne, Texas, 89.5, $1,000. 6, (tie) Hunter Greenup, Lexington, Ore., and Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 87.5, $250 each. Finals Qualifiers: McAllister, Hooper, Kramer and Loyd.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La., 11.4 seconds, $3,000. 2, Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas, 11.8, $ 2,500. 3, Jett Barrett, Lipan, Texas, 11.9, 12.2, $2,000. 4, Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas, 12.3, $1,500. 5, Tom Simpson, Malad, Idaho, 13.7, $1,000. 6, Mac Street, New Haven, Mo., 13.7, $500. Finals Qualifiers: Murphy, Smith, Barrett and Henry.
Breakaway Roping: (five times) 1, Kirby Rawlinson, Waller, Texas, 5.0 seconds, $3,109. 2, Taya McAdow, Fort Lupton, Colo., 5.4, $2,591. 3, Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., 6.3, $2,073. 4, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 9.6, $1,555. 5, K.L. Collmorgen, Cheyenne, Wyo., 15.5, $1,040. Finals Qualifiers: Rawlinson, McAdow, Gilbert and Angelone.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Buttle, S.D., 90 points on Brookman Rodeo’s Satisfaction, $3,000. 2, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 89.5, $2,500. 3, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 89, $2,000. 4, Mitchie Story, Bayfield, Colo., 88, $1,500. 5, (tie) Eastan West, New Underwood, S.D., and Kaden Horrocks, LaPoint, Utah, 87, $750 each. Finals Qualifiers: Garrett, Newman, Cress and Story.
Team Roping: 1, Kolby Kreiger, Fredricktown, Mo., and Sid Sporer, Cody, Wyo., 8.4 seconds, $3,000 each. 2, Austin Crist, Wiley, Colo., and Dave Tripp, Penrose, Colo., 8.7, $2,500 each. 3, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Blaine Vick, Breckenridge, Texas, 9.3, $2,000 each. 4, Cameron Irwin, Buffalo, Wyo., and Coley Nicholls, Kinnear, Wyo., 9.3, $1,500 each. 5, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., and Whip Peterson, San Simon, Ariz., 10.4, $1,000 each. 6, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 13.9, $500 each. Finals Qualifiers: Kreiger and Sporer; Crist and Tripp; Brown and Vick; and Irwin and Nicholls.
Steer Wrestling: (five times) 1, Tory Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla., 5.8 seconds, $3,100. 2, Quentin Wheeler, Baker, Mont., 6.0, $2,600. 3, Cole Walker, Springtown, Texas, 6.3, $2,100. 4, Nathan Duvall, Hitchita, Okla., 7.0, $1,600. 5, Dalton Walker, Bertram, Texas, 16.7, $1,100. Finals Qualifiers: Johnson, Wheeler, Walker and Duvall.
Barrel Racing: 1, Kim Squires, Carnegie, Okla., 17.37, $3,057. 2, Kailey Mitton, Mount Sterling, Utah, 17.66, $ 2,530. 3, Taryn Boxleitner, Loveland, Colo., 17.69, $2,003. 4, Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont., 17.90, $1,476. 5, Molly Otto, Grand Forks, N.D., 18.09, $950. 6, Morgan Addison, Wolfforth, Texas,18.11, $527. Finals Qualifiers: Squires, Mitton, Boxleitner and Moeykens.
Bull Riding: (four rides) 1, Noah Lee, Mineral Wells, Texas, 93 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Catfish, $3,375. 2, Hudson Bolton, Milan, Tenn., 90, $2,875. 3, Cooper James, Erda, Utah, 88, $2,375. 4, Hayden Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 87, $1,875. Finals Qualifiers: Lee, Bolton, James and Welsh.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (finals winners) 1, Colt Bass, Statesville, N.C., 86 points on Smith Pro Rodeo’s Black Powder. 2, Tagg Bond, Edna, Kan., 83. 3, Ethan Cart, Hamshire, Texas, 81. 4, Rylan Cherry, Buna, Texas, 80.5.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Gotta Go, $589. 2, Team Agin, $442. 3, Pierce Trucking, $294. 4, /M Ranch, 147.
Bareback Riding
After a scary wreck at the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, three-time CFD bareback riding champion, Tim O’Connell will be competing here today. O’Connell had tweaked his back in Utah on Wednesday when a horse went down with him. He then utilized his relationship with the Justin Sportsmedicine Team to find local medical experts, do tests and make sure he is okay. He got the all-clear and will be ready to ride here. He also has won the world championship three times and is hoping to compete at his 11th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). He is currently inside the top 50 and has set his sights on qualifying for the 2027 winter rodeos. Clayton Biglow won the title here in 2019, the same year he won his world championship. He came back and tied for the win in 2023. Clay Jorgensen won the championship the next year and has yet to qualify for the NFR. Clayton is in 14th place, and Clay is in 28th.
Saddle Bronc Riding
The superstar of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Brody Cress, will headline the field of saddle bronc riders today. Cress is currently 26th in the world standings, so another big win here would certainly be beneficial. He earned three consecutive titles at Frontier Park starting in 2017, then earned it again last year. Two other saddle bronc riders from Wyoming are also hoping to make their mark here, Ira Dickinson from Rock Springs and Tanner Butner from Daniel. Also watch for Chase Brooks and Shorty Garrett, who are both inside the top 15 in the world standings and are hoping to be in Las Vegas in December to compete for a world championship. They just need to hold their positions through the end of September, and anything they win here will help.
Bull Riding
The bull riding today has seven competitors, and it’s going to be tough. Leader of the world standings, Noah Lee, is hoping to add a CFD championship after winning the Calgary Stampede at the beginning of the month. Fans here watched John Crimber have four rides in a row that were over 90 points. That happened at the rodeo and the Xtreme Bulls event, and now he is hoping to make it five. Crimber, who is the reigning Professional Bull Riders World Champion, is seventh in the world standings. No one wants to win here more than Wyoming’s Hayden Welsh. He is currently third in the world standings and is the reigning National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion. And T.J. Gray is looking for his third NFR qualification and second CFD title. He won here in 2024, the first year he qualified for the NFR.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping field is a who’s who of talented women, yet only four will advance to the championship. Two former CFD champions – Joey Williams (2023) and Sawyer Gilbert (2021) – are joined by breakaway roping icons. Lari Dee Guy has nine Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) world titles, three National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) qualifications, and has been inducted into both the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Jackie Crawford, another Texas Cowboy Hall of Famer, has earned 24 WPRA world titles and competed at the NFBR four times, as has Erin Johnson, who has three world titles on her resume. Martha Angelone has just one breakaway world title, but she has been to the NFBR five times. Cadee Williams, currently ranked fifth in the world standings, won the NFBR championship for the fastest total time on 10 runs in 2022. And don’t overlook Coralee (Spratt) Anderson, a sixth-generation Wyoming rancher from Shoshoni. She finished fourth in the Mountain States circuit last season.
Steer Wrestling
In steer wrestling, Trell Etbauer, the 2022 CFD steer wrestling champion who also won the all-around here in 2014, comes from a saddle bronc riding family. He competed in that event early in his career, which helped propel him to two Linderman Awards as the season’s highest money winner in three events (including both a rough stock and timed event). While Etbauer has a long family history at CFD, that history doesn’t go back as far as Nathan Duvall’s. Nathan’s great-uncle Roy won the steer wrestling championship here in 1967 with another great-uncle, Bill, hazing. Nathan’s father Tom and several other uncles and cousins have competed here as well. His mother Amy (Hettich) Duvall is a native of Cheyenne and was one of the Dandies as a teen. Tory Johnson will be competing in a helmet in Frontier Park, and it is a miracle he can compete at all. The 3rd generation Oklahoma rancher suffered three skull fractures and a spinal fluid leak in an accident at a rodeo in May of 2024 and worked his way back into competition with extensive rehab.
Team Roping
Three former CFD champions are competing in today’s team roping. Trey Yates won the title in 2019, roping with Dustin Bird. This year his partner is Riley Kittle, who is 36th in the world standings. Trey’s father J.D. has been the all-around and the steer roping champion here as well. Billy Bob Brown was the 2023 champ, roping with Kirby Blankenship. He will head for Blaine Vick today. Coleman Proctor was the all-around champion in both 2022 and 2024, but would love to win another title at Frontier Park in his main event. While the nine-time NFR qualifier has slowed his travel schedule a bit this season, he’s still ranked 23rd in the world.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down roping is full of talented young ropers. Kincade Henry is ranked second in the world standings and will qualify for his fifth NFR at age 24. Macon Murphy, who is ranked 13th, went to the NFR in 2022 and would love to return to Las Vegas in December. They both have won college championships. Dylan Hancock and Cole Clemons travel together and are ranked 19th and 20th. Hancock qualified for the NFR the past two seasons, while Clemons made the field in 2024 but missed last year, finishing 22nd.
Barrel Racing
Tayla Moykens was reserve champion barrel racer here last year and would love to capture the championship. She qualified for her first NFR last year, but chose to ride borrowed horses in Las Vegas because of the EHV-1 outbreak that impacted equine athletes just before the NFR. This year she is ranked seventh in the world and planning to return to the NFR and ride her own horses. Kristin Hanchey trains horses in Florida with her husband Jason (roper and brother to NFR veteran Shane Hanchey). She is known for training strong barrel futurity horses, and also leads the WPRA’s southeastern circuit standings. When Laura Lambert is not competing in rodeo, she’s telling stories about rodeo as the major force behind Rodeo on SI – the Sports Illustrated affiliated online site.
Saddle bronc riders steal the show at Cheyenne Frontier Days
CHEYENNE, Wyo., (July 24, 2026) — To say that the competition at the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo has been fierce might be an understatement – especially in the saddle bronc riding on Friday.
The top four scores ranged from 91.5 to 90 points and four Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifiers earned the top spots. Leader of the pack was Zeke Thurston from Big Valley, Alberta with a 91.5-point ride aboard Three Hills Rodeo’s horse named Harry Rocks. That top spot earned Thurston $3,000 at a time that is critical in the season.
Thurston, who has won four gold buckles for being the world’s best, has yet to win a championship at Cheyenne. And, he is 10th in the world standings, a position that does not guarantee him a spot at the NFR with just two months left in the regular season. The top 15 in the world standings will be in Las Vegas in December to compete at rodeo’s championships. Cheyenne’s rodeo could seal the deal for Thurston and see him competing at his 12th consecutive NFR.
Brody Wells of Powell, Wyoming, and Q Taylor, from Nanton, Alberta, tied for second place at 90.5. A third Canadian – Kole Ashbacher from Arrowwood, Alberta – captured the fourth spot with a 90-point effort. Ashbacher and Taylor have each been to the NFR one time. Wells has two qualifications to his credit. Taylor is highest in the world standings at 8th while Wells is 13th and Ashbacher is 28th.
Former CFD champions finished at the top of the leaderboard in bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel race. The men’s events are sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
In the bareback riding, Kade Sonnier, from Carencro, Louisiana finished on top with an 89.5 point ride on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s horse named Brazos. Sonnier was part of a three-way tie for the championship in 2023.
Tie-down roper Shane Hanchey won the championship here in 2018. Hanchey, who was the 2013 world champion, stopped the clock in 11.2 seconds for the win. Nick Guy, who grew up playing hockey in Wisconsin, was the champion steer wrestler here in 2015. He stopped the clock in 5.6 seconds for the top spot on Friday.
In the women’s barrel race, it was all about Lisa Lockhart and Rosa’s Cantina “Rosa.” The Oelrichs, South Dakota, duo won the title here last year. That was Lockhart’s second CFD win. She also won the title in 2015.
All these competitors will be back here on Sunday for the Championship Finals where they will start with a clean slate and the fast time or high score wins. Semi-finals 3 starts on Saturday at 12:45 where the final four spots for Championship Sunday will be determined.
The following are unofficial results from Semi-Finals 2, the eighth performance of the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Friday, July 24.
Bareback Riding: 1, Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La., 89.5 points on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Brazos, $3,000. 2, (tie) Mason Yancy, Fruitland, Idaho; Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., and Ethan Mazurenko, Thorhild, Alberta, Canada, 88.5 points $2,000 each. 5, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 88, $1,000. 6, (tie) Darien Johnson, Tremonton, Utah, and Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 87.5, $250 each. Finals Qualifiers: Sonnier, Yancy, Mazurenko and Roper.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 11.2 seconds, $3,000. 2, Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, 11.5, $ 2,500. 3, Tyler Boxleitner, Loveland, Co., 12.2, $2,000. 4, Brayden Roe, Wendell, Idaho, 12.6, $1,500. 5, Chet Weitz, London, Texas, 13.4.3, $1,000. 6, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 14.3, $500. Finals Qualifiers: Hanchey, Bedke, Boxleitner and Roe.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, Okla., 5.1 seconds, $3,006. 2, Maddy Jacobs, Hope, N.M., 5.5, $2,487. 3, Jordan Hollabaugh, Springtown, Texas, 5.6, $1,969. 4, Jill Tanner, Stephenville, Texas, 5.9, $1,451. 5, Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 6.0, $933. 6, Hali Williams, Comanche, Texas, 6.5, $518. Finals Qualifiers: McCartney, Jacobs, Hollabaugh and Tanner.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, 91.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Harry Rocks, $3,000. 2, (tie) Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo., and Q Taylor, Nanton, Alberta, Canada, 90.5, $2,250. 4, Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta, Canada, 90, $1,500 each. 5, Darcy Radel, Injune, Queensland, Australia, 89.5, $1,000. 6, Weston Patterson, Waverly, Kan., 88.5, $500. Finals Qualifiers: Thurston, Wells, Taylor and Ashbacher.
Team Roping: 1, Tyler Tryan, Lipan, Texas, and Nicky Northcott, Stephenville, Texas, 7.9 seconds, $3,000 each. 2, Brye Crites, Welch, Okla., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas, 8.9, $2,500 each. 3, Jr. Dees, Orange Texas, and Landon Glenn, McAlester, Okla., 9.0, $2,000 each. 4, Corben Culley, Lawton, Iowa, and Calgary Smith, Adams, Ore., 9.2, $1,500 each. 5, (tie) Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Will Woodfin, Marshall, Texas; and Tanner Tomlinson, Mineral Wells, Texas, and Wesley Thorp, Stephenville, Texas, 9.3, $750 each. Finals Qualifiers: Tryan and Northcott; Crites and Ashford; Dees and Glenn; and Culley and Smith.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., 5.6 seconds, $3,000. 2, Zach Hamar, Yuma, Colo., 6.3, $2,500. 3, Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho, 7.6, $2,000. 4, Traver Johnson, Eltopia, Wash., 7.7, $1,500. 5, Tanner Scheevel, Lester Prairie, Minn., 7.8., $1,000. 6, Cash Robb, Altamont, UT., 11.4, $500. Finals Qualifiers: Guy, Hamar, Tavenner and Johnson.
Barrel Racing: 1, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.57, $3,064. 2, Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 17.60, $ 2,536. 3, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 17.64, $2,008. 4, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.73, $1,479. 5, Katie Halbert, Port Lavaca, Texas, $17.83, $951. 6, BryAnna Haluptzok, McAlester, Okla.,17.84, $528. Finals Qualifiers: Lockhart, Scott, Busby and Kinsel.
Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Luke Mackey, Ignacio, Colo., 87 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Paper Cut, $5,500. 2, Brenson Bartlett, Cheyenne, Wyo., 86, $5,000. Finals Qualifiers: Mackey and Bartlett.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, Lanny Brooks, Faith, S.D., 83 points, $1,122. 2, Rylan Cherry, Buna, Texas, 81.5, $850. 3, Kaden Wood, Whitewood, S.D., 81, 612. 4, Quay Lloyd, Sweetwater, Texas, 78, $408. 5, (tie) Cade Costello, Newell, S.D., and Kaden Miranda, Mule Creek, N.M., 77, $204 each. (second round winners) 1, Dane McPhail, Snyder, Okla., 85 points, $1,121. 2, Jack Kissel, La Junta, Colo., 84, $850. 3, Clay Nyhus, Torrington, Wyo., 82, $612. 4, Colt Bass, Statesville, N.C., 81, $323. 6, Try Shadlock, Torrington, Wyo., and Rylan Cherry, Buna, Texas, $85 each. (overall leaders) 1, Cherry, 160.5 points. 2, Bass, 154. 3, Holden Eisemann, Glenham, S.D., 153.5. 4, Brooks, 150.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Pierce Trucking, $589. 2, Team Young Gunz, $442. 3, New Mexico PlayBoyz, $294. 4, Gotta Go, 147.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Today’s saddle bronc riding is an international field with a strong local contender. Reigning CFD champion saddle bronc rider Brody Cress, who grew up in Hillsdale and attended school in Cheyenne, leads the field. He is the only cowboy to win the saddle bronc riding here four times. Cress is ranked 25th in the world standings and needs the win. Australia’s Damian Brennan is eighth in the world, and four-time world champion Zeke Thurston, a Canadian, is tenth. Another Canadian, Kolby Wanchuk, sits 12th while Wyoming native Brody Wells is 13th. Three more Canadians, another Aussie and four more Americans round out the roster.
Bareback Riding
In bareback riding, 2023 CFD champion Kade Sonnier is bouncing back from injury as are 2024 World Champion Keenan Hayes and Texan Leighton Berry. Hayes sat out last season but is currently ranked fourth and headed to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) again. Leighton was recovering from injury when he watched his younger brother Kade win the championship here last year. He is aiming for a CFD title of his own. Colt Eck’s brother Bryce won Semi-Finals 1 yesterday, and Colt would like to do the same today.
Bull Riding
Luke Mackey is ranked the highest in the world standings of any of today’s bull riders at sixth. Mackey, whose nickname is “Colorado Kid,” finished last season in seventh place after competing at his first NFR and is the only bull rider today with experience at rodeo’s world championships. Louisiana rookie Braxton Whitesell is just out of the top 15 at 17th, and a win here would boost his chances to qualify for the NFR. The same is true of Kansan Colton Byram, who is ranked 18th.
Team Roping
We expect great runs in the team roping today as veterans take on newcomers and the family legacies continue. We have a father and son both heading, and it is the second time in the history of CFD that has happened. J.D. Yates roped with his son Trey Yates here in 2016 when J.D. won the all-around title. They also roped against each other here, and that is exactly what Clay and Tyler Tryan will be doing in Semi-Finals 2. Clay won championships here in 2013 and 2021 roping with Jade Corkill. Today, he will be heading for Will Woodfin. Tyler, who is following in his world champion father’s footsteps, is roping with Nicki Northcott, who is the son of another world champion, Steve Northcott. Chad Masters has won the heading here twice, most recently in 2018 with heeler Joseph Harrison. They have teamed up again this year and are in contention for another championship.
Tie-Down Roping
We have a husband and wife that are competing today. Haven Meged, the 2019 world champion, has yet to win a title here, but his world champion breakaway roping wife, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, did in 2024. They added baby boy Wylder to the family last May. Haven is third in the world standings, and Shelby is in the top 40. Shane Hanchey, the 2013 world champion who won the title here in 2018, is fifth in the world standings and looking to move up. And watch for rising star Sam Lewis, whose father, Brent Lewis, won the title here in 2002.
Steer Wrestling
Cash Robb won the average at the 2024 NFR, then missed qualifying last year. He’s on a mission this year and is currently 7th in the world standings. A top-four finish today would see him back here on Sunday competing for a title at the Daddy. Paul Melvin wasn’t born yet when his father, Marty Melvin, won the all-around title in 1983, but with Marty’s passing in 2019, each of those titles has more meaning. If Paul adds his name to the history here, it will be a full-circle moment for the family.
Breakaway Roping
Today’s field of breakaway ropers is full of talent. Cheyanne McCartney, the number one woman in the world, won the Calgary Stampede earlier this month. Hali Williams, who is just behind her in the world standings, is the daughter of seven-time world champ and former CFD champion team roper Speed Williams. Josie Conner is ranked seventh and won the title at the California Rodeo in Salinas this past Sunday, then won here on Monday. The first CFD breakaway champion, Jordan Jo Fabrizio (now Hallabaugh), won the title wearing her fiancé (now husband) Raymond’s CFD champion buckle. Jill Tanner is currently ranked 16th. Her brother Jim Ross Cooper won the team roping here in 2014.
Barrel Racing
The most competitive set of barrel racers we’ve seen this year happened on the third day of the rodeo when former champions Lisa Lockhart and Hailey Kinsel competed along with Carlee Otero and Emily Beisel. Emily is second in the world standings, Carlee is fourth, Hailey is ninth, and Lisa has ground to make up at 16th. Lisa is a two-time champion here, having won titles in 2015 and 2025. Hailey will be riding TR Judges Doll that she calls “Reese” giving her great mare DM Sissy Hayday a break. Emily will likely be on Vanilla Gorilla, aka Trigger, who loves this pen and look for Carlee to ride her 8-year-old mare Cathy’s Candy that she calls Twix. Lisa won the rodeo here on Rosa’s Cantina “Rosa,” on which she won the title last year. These are the horses they qualified for the semi-finals on.
Bareback Riding
Kade Berry made CFD history last year, breaking the arena record that had stood since 1974 with a 93.5-point ride to win the bareback riding title. His brother Leighton Berry, who was out most of 2025 with injury, was here to witness Kade’s success. Leighton is 6th in the world, and they both compete today. Jacob Lees, currently second in the world standings, is having the best season of his career. After two consecutive trips to the National Finals Rodeo, he missed the big show by three slots last year. Carson Hildre, who is ranked 19th in the world standings, was one of three cowboys to tie for the bareback riding national championship at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper last month. Three other bareback riders in today’s field are in 9th through 20th place in the world standings – Jayco Roper, R.C. Landingham and Mason Stuller.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Hometown favorite Brody Cress is the reigning CFD saddle bronc riding champion and the only man to win four titles in the event at the Daddy of ‘em All. He has qualified for nine consecutive NFRs, but needs to finish the season strong to move up from his current rank of 25th. After several years of injuries and setbacks, Rusty Wright is having his best season ever. He is currently second in the world.
Bull Riding
In a field full of young-gun bull riders, world champion Josh Frost is the most accomplished veteran. He’s been to the NFR five times and won the average buckle twice along with a world title. After injuries kept him away from competition for months, he is currently ranked 23rd. The only CFD champion in bull riding is T.J. Gray, who won here in 2024. Last year he finished as reserve world champion. 2026 PBR world titlist John Crimber made his debut at the Daddy yesterday in championship form. He won the performance with the highest score of the rodeo so far—90.5. Despite a limited pro rodeo schedule early in the season, he is currently ranked third in the rookie standings and 11th in the world. One of his goals is to follow his father Paulo’s path and win an NFR average buckle while dominating in the PBR. Noah Lee, the number one bull rider in the world and rookie rankings, finished out of the top six yesterday, so he needs to do well today to make the semifinals.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down roping today could be the best yet at this year’s CFD Rodeo. Last year’s Rookie of the Year and college champ Tyler Calhoun is working his way up the ranks. Former all-around champion here, Tuf Cooper (2013), is 40th in the world standings and is picking and choosing his rodeos carefully. Tuf is now married and a proud father, so his priorities are changing. Cory Solomon won the title here in 2022, and Luke Potter won it the next year. But keep your eyes on two-time college champ Kincaid Henry, who is second in the world standings and headed to his 5th NFR.
Team Roping
Derrick Begay and Colter Todd are fan favorites in the Western world because of their cowboy ways in and out of the arena. They have both earned titles here in the heading, but now with Colter heeling, they have the chance to win it together. Derrick’s nephew James Arviso won the college title in the heading in 2024 and is well on his way to his first NFR. He has been roping with Levi Lord, and in June they earned the silver spurs given to champions at the Reno Rodeo. They are currently 4th and 3rd in the world standings, and James is headed to his first NFR while Levi will rope at the rodeo championships next December for the sixth time. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira have five gold buckles between them but have never earned one in Frontier Park.
Steer Wrestling
No one was more excited to win the title here in 2025 than steer wrestler Tyke Kipp. His win gave him a confidence boost that he has used to be inside the top 15 in the world standings. Tyke is currently 8th and on pace to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and we’re not sure that Las Vegas and the NFR are ready for him, but he is certainly ready to compete for a world championship. Taydon Gorsuch is following in the footsteps of his ProRodeo Hall of Famer father Dean Gorsuch. Don’t be surprised if Taydon is wearing a purple shirt here. They have family friends whose daughter has been diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, and when he found out that purple was the color for the disease, they got purple shirts and had her initials embroidered on them. Tristan Martin is looking for his third trip to the NFR and at 11th is hoping to improve that here today. Trisyn Kalawaia is hoping to represent the Aloha State in Las Vegas. The Hawaiian is currently 6th.
Barrel Racing
A CFD title would be extremely important for several of today’s barrel racers. Among those is Summer Kosel, who has set records in Frontier Park on her great horse Apollo. Summer is 12th in the world standings and working to compete at her third NFR. Jana Bean hasn’t been there for 10 years, but aboard the latest mount in the trainer’s barn, “Vizion,” she is making waves. They are 23rd. Julie Plourde qualified for her first NFR in 2025 and left with the average buckle for having the fastest total time on 10 runs. She is 19th behind Morgan Bagnell, who is leading the Rookie of the Year standings.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping is full of women who have qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) at least once. Bradi Good and Beau Peterson have been among the top 15 at the finals twice. Bradi’s father, Shay Good, is a two-time world champion steer roper who won the CFD championship in 2015. Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Kinlie Brennise, Bailey Bates and Aspen Miller all would like to qualify for their second NFBR. Madison Outhier was the 2021 rookie of the year in breakaway roping but has yet to qualify for the NFBR. She’s currently ranked ninth, the highest of any cowgirl roping today. Her dad, Mike Outhier, has some of the bucking horses in this year’s rookie saddle bronc riding. Don’t overlook Madalyn Richards. The Texas A&M graduate was the college national champion in 2024.
CHEYENNE, Wyo., (July 22, 2026) — At the conclusion of last year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, steer wrestler Tyke Kipp earned the biggest win of his career.
Kipp from Lordsburg, New Mexico was among the contestants at the sixth performance of the 130th edition of the rodeo and fans got to see him move to the top again. Kipp was the first competitor in his event and set the pace at 6.5 seconds. Not only did he start in first place; he finished there earning a $2,000 check and a spot in the semifinals. He is currently eighth in the world standings and another win at Frontier Park would nearly assure him his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
The bareback riding was once again exciting with great scores by talented athletes. Jayco Roper from Oktaha, Oklahoma, scored 90 points on a horse from Rocky Mountain Rodeo. That seemed like a lock for the top spot until Louisiana’s Taylor Broussard made his ride. Broussard, from Estherwood, got on another horse from Rocky Mountain, and when the judges added up their scores, he had a 90.5 by his name.
The rides were critical for both cowboys. Roper is 20th in the world standings and Broussard is 33rd. They each will advance to the semifinals and are hoping to keep adding to their earnings to move up in the world standings.
A year ago, Tyler Calhoun won the tie down roping title at the College National Finals Rodeo and was making his debut in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He won the Rookie of the Year and narrowly missed qualifying for the NFR, finishing the year in 17th place. He stopped the clock in 10.2 seconds on Wednesday at Frontier Park for the win.
Kaleb Driggers from Hoboken, Ga., and Brazilian Junior Nogueira have five gold buckles between them. The team roping duo has yet to win a title here, but are in contention this year. They had the fastest time in the sixth performance at 7.3 seconds.
Bull riding phenom John Crimber continued to raise the bar here. He rode a bull yesterday for 90.5 points, came back and scored 91 Wednesday at the rodeo. He also rode at Cheyenne Frontier Days Xtreme Bulls competition Monday and Tuesday night where he again scored over 90 points each night. The Decatur, Texas, resident has ridden four in a row at Frontier Park and scored over 90 points on all four.
The first of three semifinals starts here on Thursday with contestants advancing into Sunday’s championship finals. The rodeo starts at 12:45.
The following are unofficial results from the sixth performance of the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Wednesday, July 22. Prize money subject to change.
Bareback Riding: 1, Taylor Broussard, 90.5 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s 7L9, $2,300. 2, Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., 90, $1,800. 3, (tie) Brayze Schill, West Columbia, Texas, and Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 88, $1,02555555 each. 5, Mason Stuller, Veneta, Ore., 87.5, $420. 6, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 86.5.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Tyler Calhoun, Richards, Texas, 10.2 seconds, $2,000. 2, Blane Cox, Stephenville, Texas, 11.3, $1,500. 3, Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo., 11.8, $1,000. 4, Colton Suther, Palo Cedro, Calif., 11.9, $500. 5, (tie) Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, and Luke Potter, Maple City, Kan., 12.5, $125 each.
Breakaway Roping: 1, (tie) K.L. Collmorgen, Byers, Colo., and Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M., 5.1 seconds, $2,267 each. 3, Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, 6.1, $1,295. 4, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 7.1, $648. 5, McKenna Brennan, Springtown, Texas, 15.9. 6, Kinlie Brennise, Craig, Colo., 7.5.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Q Taylor, Nanton, Alberta, Canada, 89.5 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Faded Valley, $2,300. 2, Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah., 88, $1,800. 3, Roper Kiesner, Ripley, Okla., 86, $1,300. 4, (tie) Gavin Nelson, Wibaux, Mont.; Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M.; and Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 85, $390 each.
Team Roping: 1, Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueria, Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 7.3 seconds, $2,000 each. 2, Korbin Rice, Hobbs, N.M., and Cooper Feeman, Carthage, Mo., 7.5, $1,500 each. 3, Coy Rahlmann, Ellsinore, Mo., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 7.8, $1000 each. 4, James Arviso, Seba Dalkai, Ariz., and Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D., 8.6, $500 each. 5, Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz., and Colter Todd, Willcox, Ariz., 8.7, $250 each.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 6.5 seconds, $2,000. 2, James Banister, San Luis, Obispo, Calif., 7.0, $1,500. 3, Ty Allred, Tooele, Utah, 7.3, $1,000. 4, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 7.9, $500. 5, Clayton Culligan, Okeechobee, Fla., 8.8, $250.
Barrel Racing: 1, Loralee Ward, Fort Lupton, Colo., 17.52, $2,642. 2, Jana Bean, Fort Hancock, Texas, 17.78, $1,981. 3, Heidi Gunderson, Murdock, Minn., 18.12, $1,320. 4, Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 18.14, $660. 5, Chandler Camblin, Holyoke, Colo., 18.34. 6, Lindsey Muggli, Lane, Okla., 18.87.
Bull Riding: (three rides) 1, John Crimber, Decatur, Texas, 91 points on Dakota Rodeos’ Big Time, $2,483. 2, Cooper James, Erda, Utah, 88, $2,033. 3, Braxton Whitesell, Walker, La., 86.5, $1583.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round) 1, Lanny Brooks, Faith, S.D., 83 points. 2, Rylan Cherry, Buna, Texas, 81.5. 3, Kaden Wood, Whitewood, S.D., 81. 4, Cade Costello, Newell, S.D., 77. (second round) 1, Dane McPhail, Snyder, Okla., 85 points. 2, Jack Kissel, La Junta, Colo., 84. 3, Clay Nyhus, Torrington, Wyo., 82. 4, Colt Bass, Statesville, N.C., 81, (overall leaders) 1, Cherry, 160.5 points. 2, Bass, 154. 3, Holden Eisemann, Glenham, S.D., 153.5. 4, Brooks, 150.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Barrel Racers, $589. 2, Team Medicine Wheel, $442. 3, Meanus, $294. 4, Wild’n Wreckless, 147.
Bareback Riding
Kade Berry made CFD history last year, breaking the arena record that had stood since 1974 with a 93.5-point ride to win the bareback riding title. His brother Leighton Berry, who was out most of 2025 with injury, was here to witness Kade’s success. Leighton is 6th in the world, and they both compete today. Jacob Lees, currently second in the world standings, is having the best season of his career. After two consecutive trips to the National Finals Rodeo, he missed the big show by three slots last year. Carson Hildre, who is ranked 19th in the world standings, was one of three cowboys to tie for the bareback riding national championship at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper last month. Three other bareback riders in today’s field are in 9th through 20th place in the world standings – Jayco Roper, R.C. Landingham and Mason Stuller.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Hometown favorite Brody Cress is the reigning CFD saddle bronc riding champion and the only man to win four titles in the event at the Daddy of ‘em All. He has qualified for nine consecutive NFRs, but needs to finish the season strong to move up from his current rank of 25th. After several years of injuries and setbacks, Rusty Wright is having his best season ever. He is currently second in the world.
Bull Riding
In a field full of young-gun bull riders, world champion Josh Frost is the most accomplished veteran. He’s been to the NFR five times and won the average buckle twice along with a world title. After injuries kept him away from competition for months, he is currently ranked 23rd. The only CFD champion in bull riding is T.J. Gray, who won here in 2024. Last year he finished as reserve world champion. 2026 PBR world titlist John Crimber made his debut at the Daddy yesterday in championship form. He won the performance with the highest score of the rodeo so far—90.5. Despite a limited pro rodeo schedule early in the season, he is currently ranked third in the rookie standings and 11th in the world. One of his goals is to follow his father Paulo’s path and win an NFR average buckle while dominating in the PBR. Noah Lee, the number one bull rider in the world and rookie rankings, finished out of the top six yesterday, so he needs to do well today to make the semifinals.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down roping today could be the best yet at this year’s CFD Rodeo. Last year’s Rookie of the Year and college champ Tyler Calhoun is working his way up the ranks. Former all-around champion here, Tuf Cooper (2013), is 40th in the world standings and is picking and choosing his rodeos carefully. Tuf is now married and a proud father, so his priorities are changing. Cory Solomon won the title here in 2022, and Luke Potter won it the next year. But keep your eyes on two-time college champ Kincaid Henry, who is second in the world standings and headed to his 5th NFR.
Team Roping
Derrick Begay and Colter Todd are fan favorites in the Western world because of their cowboy ways in and out of the arena. They have both earned titles here in the heading, but now with Colter heeling, they have the chance to win it together. Derrick’s nephew James Arviso won the college title in the heading in 2024 and is well on his way to his first NFR. He has been roping with Levi Lord, and in June they earned the silver spurs given to champions at the Reno Rodeo. They are currently 4th and 3rd in the world standings, and James is headed to his first NFR while Levi will rope at the rodeo championships next December for the sixth time. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira have five gold buckles between them but have never earned one in Frontier Park.
Steer Wrestling
No one was more excited to win the title here in 2025 than steer wrestler Tyke Kipp. His win gave him a confidence boost that he has used to be inside the top 15 in the world standings. Tyke is currently 8th and on pace to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and we’re not sure that Las Vegas and the NFR are ready for him, but he is certainly ready to compete for a world championship. Taydon Gorsuch is following in the footsteps of his ProRodeo Hall of Famer father Dean Gorsuch. Don’t be surprised if Taydon is wearing a purple shirt here. They have family friends whose daughter has been diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, and when he found out that purple was the color for the disease, they got purple shirts and had her initials embroidered on them. Tristan Martin is looking for his third trip to the NFR and at 11th is hoping to improve that here today. Trisyn Kalawaia is hoping to represent the Aloha State in Las Vegas. The Hawaiian is currently 6th.
Barrel Racing
A CFD title would be extremely important for several of today’s barrel racers. Among those is Summer Kosel, who has set records in Frontier Park on her great horse Apollo. Summer is 12th in the world standings and working to compete at her third NFR. Jana Bean hasn’t been there for 10 years, but aboard the latest mount in the trainer’s barn, “Vizion,” she is making waves. They are 23rd. Julie Plourde qualified for her first NFR in 2025 and left with the average buckle for having the fastest total time on 10 runs. She is 19th behind Morgan Bagnell, who is leading the Rookie of the Year standings.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping is full of women who have qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) at least once. Bradi Good and Beau Peterson have been among the top 15 at the finals twice. Bradi’s father, Shay Good, is a two-time world champion steer roper who won the CFD championship in 2015. Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Kinlie Brennise, Bailey Bates and Aspen Miller all would like to qualify for their second NFBR. Madison Outhier was the 2021 rookie of the year in breakaway roping but has yet to qualify for the NFBR. She’s currently ranked ninth, the highest of any cowgirl roping today. Her dad, Mike Outhier, has some of the bucking horses in this year’s rookie saddle bronc riding. Don’t overlook Madalyn Richards. The Texas A&M graduate was the college national champion in 2024.