Rodeo Archives - Page 11 of 16 - Cheyenne Frontier Days

July 18-27, 2025

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Oklahoman Mike Johnson is Chute 9 royalty at Cheyenne Frontier Days. He won his first of two tie-down roping titles a quarter century ago and Johnson has entered ‘The Daddy’ for nearly four decades. He’s not going to many rodeos these days but the man who holds the NFR record for appearances in his event (23) was back in Cheyenne to easily advance out of the tie-down qualifying round with a solid 12.4 second run on Monday.

Those in the know say Sunday at Cheyenne Frontier Days was as good a display of team roping skill as you’d ever encounter. A total of 72 teams advanced out of the qualifying rounds to performances that begin next weekend and did so with runs ranging from seven to twelve seconds. A number of former Central Rocky Mountain Region college stars were among those to move on for a chance at a coveted buckle from ‘The Daddy.’ If you aren’t aware of strategy in team roping stick around for the last run here by Hershey, Nebraska’s Cooper and Tucker White. Cooper was an all-around cowboy for Gillette College.

Qualifying rounds of team roping Sunday at Cheyenne Frontier Days trimmed the field of more than 160 to 72 teams that advance to afternoon performances starting next weekend. Brothers Riley and Brady Minor from Ellensburg, Washington were fastest stopping the clock at 7.1 seconds. Heeler Brady has confidence in his horse no matter where they compete.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (June 21, 2022) – While the 126^th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo hasn’t officially started yet, competition has been going on for nearly a week at Frontier Park.

With this year’s rodeo expected to top over $1 million in prize money and the legendary status of the “Daddy of ‘em All,” contestants came from across the U.S. and Canada hoping for an opportunity to advance into the quarter finals of the tournament style rodeo. Two women did that in record setting style.

Breakaway roper Peggy Garman, from Sundance, Wyoming had a disappointing first run competition on July 20 when her loop failed to connect. The breakaway roping field started with 200 that were split into two pools where 30 from each advanced. The remaining 140 spent the night in Cheyenne to compete in the wildcard round, held Wednesday morning before the barrel racing qualifying competition.

For fans of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, a day at Frontier Park, or watching on the Cowboy Channel online was time well spent on Wednesday, July 21. Garman was one of the early ropers to go and set the pace and a new arena record at 3.0 seconds. Riding her great horse “Cash,” the Wyoming cowgirl breathed a big sigh of relief. It was a huge confidence booster for Garman.

“This is such a prestigious rodeo and to be able to add my name to the record books is unbelievable,” she said. “I struggled after yesterday, but had some good friends talk me through that and get me pumped up to rope today.” This is the third time that breakaway roping has been featured at CFD. The previous record was set by Carol Hollers at 3.4 seconds in 2021.

Garman wasn’t the only contestant pumped up and ready to compete. In the barrel racing it was the horses that took center stage, in particular Firewaterfrenchfame, “Apollo.” Ridden by Summer Kosel of Glenham, South Dakota, they broke an arena record in the barrel racing that was set over 25 years ago by Kristie Peterson and the famous French Flash Hawk, aka “Bozo.” They stopped the clock in 17.03 seconds in 1996.

Kosel’s time of 17.02 not only set the record, it also earned her the biggest check out of qualifying rounds at $7,414. When Peterson and Bozo had their run at Cheyenne, they ran from the opposite end of the arena. There are a lot of factors involved that make having an arena record accurate, but Kosel is now in the books as having made the fastest barrel racing run at CFD.

Team ropers Riley and Brady Minor have accomplished more as a brother duo than any other team roping family members in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, but one title has eluded them, the one from Frontier Park. With the younger of the duo, Riley, heading and Brady catching hind feet, they stopped the clock in 7.2 seconds to win $3,590.

Trell Etbauer is very familiar with Cheyenne Frontier Days. He traveled here as a toddler to watch his father, world champion saddle bronc rider Robert Etbauer compete. Then he competed in the saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and tie-down roping here in 2014 and won the champions package as the all-around cowboy.

This year, Etbauer is after a steer wrestling title and came one step closer on July 19 when he stopped the clock in 5.7 seconds to win the qualifying round and $3,382. He will now hope to add to those earnings during the quarter finals and keep advancing all the way to Championship Sunday.

Cash Enderli, a college student at Weatherford College in Texas and resident of Liberty, Texas had the fast run in tie-down roping at 9.8 seconds. He won $5,172 and now has an opportunity to compete in front of a crowd for the first time at CFD. He had never competed here until July 18^th and was the best out of nearly 200 tie-down ropers.

All of these contestants will advance to the quarter finals where there will be 72 competitors in each discipline as well as in the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding. The bull riding quarter finals will see 60 competitors each making two appearances.

The first quarter finals will start at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.

The following are results from qualifying competition at the 126^th Cheyenne Frontier Days, July 16-20. 2022.

Steer Roping: (first round)1, Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, 12.5 seconds, $6,585. 2, Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas, 13.4, $5,726. 3, Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., 13.5, $4,867. 4, Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas, 14.1, $4,008. 5, Cash Myers, Kaufman, Texas, 14.2, $3,149. 6, Taylor Santos, creston, Calif., 14.6, $2,290. 7, (tie) Reo Lohse, Kaycee, Wyo., and Rob Denny, Willcox, Ariz., 14.8, $1,002. (second round) 1, Coleman Proctor, 11.4, $6,585. 2, Tom Fisher, 12.7, $5,726. 3, Tyler Waters, Stephenville, Texas, 12.8, $4,867. 4, Pake Sorey, Pendleton, Ore., 13.1, $4,008. 5, Hudson Wallace, George West, Texas, 13.2, $3,149. 6, Roger Nonella, Redmond, Ore., 13.6, $2,290. 7,(tie) Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan., and Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D., 13.9, $1,002 each. (Championship Finals qualifiers – total on two) 1, Proctor, 24.9. 2, Patterson, 29.7. 3, Myers, 30.9. 4, Lohse, 31.8. 5, Ross, 33.0. 6, Cooper Mills, St. John, Wash., 33.8. 7, Jess Tierney, hermosa, S.D., 34.3. 8, Chad Mathis, Morristown, Ariz., 36.4. 9, Zac Parrington, Hoyt, Kan., 36.5. 10, Rob Denny, Willcox, Ariz., 36.6. 11, Buck Mekelburg, Yuma, Colo., 37.2. 12, Shorty Garten, Claremore, Okla., 37.9.

Team Roping: (first round) 1, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 7.1 seconds, $3,590. 2, (tie) Kyon and Clancey Kreutzer, Lake Creek, Texas, and Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D., 7.8 seconds and $2,957 each. 4, (tie) Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss., and Brye Crites, Welch, Okla.; Britt Williams, Hammond, Mont., and Cayden Cox, Arroyo Grande, Ariz.; and Reno Cash Stoebner, Stephenville, Texas, and Tyler McKnight, Pollok, Texas; 8.0 and $1,971 each. 7, (tie) Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M.; Rhett Anderson, Annabella, Utah, and Max Kuttler, American Falls, Idaho; and Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore., and Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif.; 8.1, $1,267. 10, Brayden Luke Schmidt, Benton City, Wash., and Andy Carlson, Hermiston, Ore., 8.2, $845. 11, (tie) Jay Ellerman, Fort Lupton, Colo., and Marcus Banister, Brighton, Colo.; and Beau Hebert, Shreveport, La., and Cody Hogan, Evelyn, La.; 8.3, $528. (Wild Card) 1, Hagen Peterson, Delta, Utah and Dylin Ahlstrom, Genola, Utah, 7.4 seconds, $2,394. 2, (tie) Chaz Kananen, Pocatello, Idaho and Colby Siddoway, Honeyville, Utah; and Cooper and Tucker James White, Hershey, Neb., 7.5, $1,971. 4, Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore., and Daniel Braman, IV, Refugio, Texas, 7.7, $1,549. 5, Justin Yost, Citra, Fla., and Garrett Smith, Mt. Joliet, Tenn., 7.8, $1,267. 6, Garrett Tonnozzi, Lampasas, Texas, and T.J. Watts, Eads, Colo., 8.1, $1,126. 7, (tie) Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss., and Cole Curry, Liberty, Miss.; and Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 8.3, $915. 9, (tie) Brandon Farris, Gracemont, Okla., and Derrick Jantzen, Ames, Okla.; and Cory Kidd, Statesville, N.C., and Lane Mitchell, Bolivar, Tenn.; 8.4, $634. 11, Miles Kobold, Huntley, Mont., and Clint Brower, Lander, Wyo., 8.7, $422. 12, Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz., and Colter Todd, Willcox, Ariz., 9.0, $282.

Tie-Down Roping: (first round) 1, Cash Enderli, Liberty, Texas, 9.8, $5,172. 2, (tie) Colt Papy, Athens, La., and Rowdy Haferkamp, Cuero, Texas, 10.5, $4,260. 4, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 10.6, $3,347. 5, (tie) Hudson Wallace, George West, Texas and Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, 11.0, $2,586. 7, Beau Cooper, Stettler, Alberta, 11.1, $2,130. 8, Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 11.2, $1,826. 9, Jake Harris, Canyon, Texas, 11.3, $1,521. 10, Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, 11.4, $1,217. 11, Dakota Felton, Mountain Home, Texas, 11.5, $913. 12, Riley Webb, Denton, Texas, 11.6, $609. (Wild Card) 1, Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas, 10.2, $3.448. 2, Zaine Mikita, Byers, Colo., 10.9 seconds, $3,043. 3, Walker Akins, Whitesboro, Texas, 11.0, $2,637. 4, Cash Edward Hooper, Carlsbad, N.M., 11.1. 5, (tie) Pryce Harris, Canyon, Texas, and Cody Craig, Wendell, Idaho, 11.2, $1,724 each. 7, Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 11.3, $1,419. 8, Blake Ash, Aurora, Mo., 11.4, $1,217. 9, Tate Teague, Rankin, Texas, 11.5, $1,014. 10, (tie) Quay Howard, Canyon, Texas, and Chance Thiessen, Elk City, Okla., 11.8, $710. 12, (tie) Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, and Colton Farquer, Oakdale, Calif., 12.0, $203.

Steer Wrestling: (first round) 1. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 5.7 seconds, $4,016. 2, (tie) Cody Cabral, Hilo, Hawaii, and Gary Gilbert, Paradise, Texas, 5.8, $3,382 each. 4, Mike McGinn, Haines, Ore., 6.3, $2,748. 5, (tie) Talon Roseland, Marshalltown, Iowa, and Marc Joiner, Loranger, La., 6.4, $2,114. 7, Denard Butler, Checotah, Okla., and Justin Simon, Florence, Ariz., 6.5, $1,268. 9, Ty Allred, Tooele, Utah, 6.6, $634. 10, Denton Good, long Valley, S.D., 6.7, $211. (Wild Card) 1, Caden Camp, Belgrade, Mont., 5.5, $3,286. 2, Colt Honey, La Junta, Colo., 5.7, $2,940. 3, Rhett John Witt, Valentine, Neb., 6.8, $2,594. 4, Jaret Whitman, Belgrade, Mont., 7.0, $2,248. 5, Walt Arnold, Coleman, Texas, 7.1, $1,902. 6, Wacey Real Bird, Sheridan, Wyo., 7.5, $1,556. 7, (tie) Brian Snell, Wheatland, Wyo., and Blare Romsa, Laramie, Wyo., 7.7, $1,038. 9, Denton Petersen, Payson, Ariz., 7.8, $519. 10, Winsten McGraw, Gill, Colo., 8.2, $173.

Breakaway Roping: (Pool A) 1, (tie) Shawnee Sherwood, San Tan Valley, Ariz., and Taya McAdow, Keensburg, Colo., 3.6, $3,845 each. 3, Sloan Anderson, Whitehorse, S.D., 3.9, $2,386. 4, (tie) Sage Kohr, Gillette, Wyo., and Tayler Bradley, Goldendale, Wash., 4.0, $1,260. 6, (tie) Josie Conner, Iowa, La.; Sje;bu Scjweotz. Cave Creek, Ariz.; and Mollie Bassett, Vinita, Okla.; 4.1, $221. (Pool B) 1, Anna Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D., 3.7, $4,375. 2, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, 3.9, $3,315. 3, Sierra Galusha, Warrensburg, N.Y., 4.1, $2,386. 5, (tie) Shelby Boisjoli, Calgary, Alberta, and Rheagan, Cotton, Fairfield, Texas, 4.3, $795. (Wild Card) 1, Peggy Garman, Sundance, Wyo., 3.0, $990. 2, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 3.1, $750. 3, (tie) Alex Loiselle, Paris, Texas, and Josie Goodrich, Stanfield, Ore., 3.4, $450. 5, (tie) Angie Green, Huntsville, Texas, and Kaylee Cornia, Cokeville, Wyo., 3.5, $180.

Barrel Racing: 1, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.02 seconds, $7,415. 2, Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 17.28, $6,356. 3, (tie) Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., and Cindy Smith, Hobbs, N.M., 17.39 and $4,943 each. 5, Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas, 17.44, $3,531. 6, Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla., 17.48, $2,824. 7, Tarryn Lee, St. David, Ariz., 17.52, $2,119. 8, Katie Chism, Tiskilwa, Ill., 17.55, $1,412. 9, Sarah Rose Waguespack, 17.58, $1,059. 10, Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, 17.61, $706.

Summer Kosel from Glenham, South Dakota added her name to the record books at Cheyenne Frontier Days during the barrel racing qualifying round. She stopped the clock in 17.02 seconds aboard her horse Firewaterfrenchfame, “Apollo,” and now has the fastest barrel racing run at the legendary rodeo. PRCA photo by Jackie Jensen.

A Wyoming born and raised cowgirl took advantage of her last opportunity to compete in the breakaway roping qualifier competition at Cheyenne Frontier Days and set a new arena record. Peggy Garman from Sundance stopped the clock in 3.0 seconds during the Wild Card competition, set a record and is in contention for her first CFD championship. PRCA photo by Jackie Jensen.

Competition has been going on for nearly a week
Competition has been going on for nearly a week

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – It was a two horse race from July to December with Shelby Boisjoli and Sawyer Gilbert battling back and forth. Boisjoli entered her second Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping as the No. 1 roper following her big win at the ProRodeo Tour Finale in Salinas.

Boisjoli held that spot until the 10^th round of the Wrangler NFBR at the Orleans Arena when Gilbert moved in front by $86.32. Boisjoli was leading the average until a no time in the eighth round opened the door for Gilbert to win her first gold buckle. She didn’t let that opportunity pass and not only won the world but went ahead and won the average title as well in a total time of 46.30 seconds on 10. Actually, Gilbert was the only lady in the top 15 to rope all 10 head.

“That is one of my strengths as I can always catch,” said Gilbert about the average title. “I told myself even if I broke a barrier to get all 10 roped and this means the world to me.”

Gilbert won the world with $71,654 compared to Boisjoli with $69,457.

“Holy cow,” responded Gilbert when she learned she had won the world. “I knew I could do it and just wanted to catch that last calf. This has been a dream before I even knew it was possible on this big stage. I am so honored and glad to get it done.”

Taylor Munsell, former college coach, finished third in the world with $57,896 after finishing second in the average in a time of 25.10 on nine head.

Kelsie (Chace) Domer and Gilbert got things started on the final day of the National Finals Breakaway Roping winning the sixth round after stopping the clock in 2.0 seconds. They each added $3,949 to their bank accounts.

The time of 1.8 seconds was the sweet spot for the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth rounds as that was the winning time for each. The seventh round won by Martha Angelone was just a tick off the fastest time of the event which came in the fourth round by Joey Williams with a 1.7. It would be Williams that took the eighth round victory lap after turning in her own 1.8 second run. Domer and Munsell were second in 2.1 seconds.

The ninth round was won by Cheyanne Guillory and Angelone with identical 1.8 second runs. Danielle Lowman a proud representative of the Navajo Nation was third in a time of 1.9 seconds.

She waited until the end like she did last year at the NFBR but better late than never. Seventeen time WPRA World Champion JJ Hampton took the 10^th round win with her own 1.8 second run.

Another first for Gilbert was the average title as during the 2020 Wrangler NFBR an average was not awarded so she became the inaugural average champion.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Champion, Sawyer Gilbert, wins the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping
Cheyenne Frontier Days Champion, Sawyer Gilbert, wins the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping
Cheyenne Frontier Days Champion, Sawyer Gilbert, wins the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping

Cheyenne Frontier Days^™ (CFD) announced tickets for the 2022 event will go on sale December 15. Tickets for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Last Cowboy Standing series, CFD Ticket Packages, Carnival Armbands and Gift Cards (redeemable for tickets or merchandise) will go on sale.

Tickets go on sale December 15 at 9 a.m. MT at www.cfdrodeo.com, and by calling (307) 778-7222. The CFD Ticket Office will not be open for in-person sales at this time.

The 126th annual “Daddy of ‘em All^®” will feature nine days of fast-paced PRCA rodeo culminating in Championship Sunday where champions are crowned, and legends are made.

For two nights, the Top-40 stars of the PBR will return to attempt to conquer the sport’s rankest bulls on the historic Wyoming Dirt. The grueling match between Man and Beast continues until one prevails and is crowned the Last Cowboy Standing.

There will be hundreds of vendors, a full carnival, artists, food, and music that celebrate the history and culture of the American West.

Daily rodeo tickets range from $18 – $43. A $3 discount is offered on rodeo tickets purchased before July 1. PBR tickets range from $25 – $105 with special Elite Seating and V.I.P. tickets also available at various prices. Carnival Armbands will be $35 per session or $140 for all 10 days.

Cheyenne Frontier Days has partnered with AXS, a global leader in ticketing for the entertainment world. Through this partnership, the latest innovations in mobile ticketing, ticket forwarding, online account management, payment plans and resale are available to our ticket purchasers.

2022 event attendees will use AXS Mobile ID technology through the AXS App which provides contactless, secure, and personalized fan experiences. Attendees will need to download the AXS App to access digital ticket purchases for 2022.

Artist Announcements are coming in Spring 2022. For the full range of pricing and more event information, please visit www.cfdrodeo.com.

Hey Rodeo and Music Fans – Join the Club – the exciting, new Cheyenne Frontier Days Season Ticket Club!

Cheyenne Frontier Days is now taking applications for its newly restructured Season Ticket Program. Fans can choose from three membership options to fit their needs and their budget! Clubs include all rodeo and night show events, or just rodeos or night shows. Benefits include priority and reserved seating, optional parking perks, ticket resale options and flexible payment plans. New membership options are perfect for businesses, clients and customers too. Apply online at cfdrodeo.co/TicketClub by November 30.

Cheyenne Frontier Days is now taking applications for its newly restructured Season Ticket Program.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The WPRA is pleased to announce their contract award winners that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen and keeps the Association alive and well. Each winner will be officially recognized during the WPRA Star Celebration at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on December 2.

Honored this year with the WPRA Outstanding Rodeo Committee Partner is the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. The Daddy of ’em All celebrated 125 years in 2021 and in doing so they also added ladies breakaway roping offering equal money to the rest of the events. This was a huge step in keeping the ball rolling for WPRA Breakaway Roping to not only add the event but allow the ropers to run at equal money as the barrel racers and all the men’s events. In 2020, breakaway roping was added to 54 PRCA rodeos and in 2021 that number grew to an astonishing 214. The ladies of the WPRA thank Cheyenne for being a leader and to all the other committees who have included this second women’s event to their line-up.

Another leader in the rodeo industry this past year was stock contractor Pete Carr, who has been an advocate for improving the ground conditions for the barrel racers at his rodeos with a drag or hand rake. Carr will be honored for the second time with the WPRA Stock Contractor of the Year Award. He last earned the honor in 2014.

This year’s Corporate Partner of the Year award goes to Resistol. Each year they have honored the barrel racing rookie of the year and beginning this year they are now also recognizing the breakaway roping rookie of the year. Both ladies (Kylee Scribner and Madison Outhier) will be officially recognized at the Resistol Rookie luncheon in Las Vegas and during the seventh performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame will be receiving the Distinguished Partnership award. The award is given in recognition for the years in keeping the history of women in the western industry alive and well and for being gracious hosts for the WPRA luncheons last year when the NFR was moved to Arlington due to the pandemic.

Rodeo committees have long been the backbone of the rodeo industry and that has never been more apparent given all the challenges the pandemic has inflicted over the last two years. Without the hardworking rodeo committees, the industry would have a hard time existing. Winning the WPRA Large Rodeo of the Year award in 2021 is the San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo. The Golden Spike Rodeo in Tremonton, Utah, will be honored as the Medium Rodeo of the Year and the Will Rogers Stampede in Claremore, Oklahoma, will take home the Small Rodeo of the Year.

The WPRA would like to congratulate each of the award recipients as well as those that were nominated for these prestigious awards.

Below is a full list of those that will be recognized by the WPRA in 2021:

Announcer of the Year Will Rasmussen

Stock Contractor of the Year Carr Pro Rodeo – Pete Carr

Judge of the Year Wade Woolstenhulme

Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year Dottie Hayes

Small Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,000 or less) Will Rogers Stampede (Claremore, OK)

Medium Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,001 – $9,999) Golden Spike Rodeo (Tremonton, UT)

Large Rodeo of the Year (added money over $10,000) San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo

Corporate Partner of the Year Resistol

Media Award Julie Mankin

Lenora Reimers’ Heritage Award Doreen Wintermute

Outstanding Individual of the Year Jason Jenson

Outstanding Service & Dedication Award Jimmie Munroe

Distinguished Partnership National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Lifetime Family Heritage Award Lori Todd Family

NFR Achievement Award Heidi Schmidt

Outstanding Rodeo Committee Partner Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days

Innovative Media Partner The Cowboy Channel

Innovative Rodeo of the Year Mesilla Valley Stampede (2020 standalone Turquoise Circuit Barrel Racing Finals) – Mesquite, NM

Cheyenne Frontier Days welcomed fans back to Frontier Park with at or near capacity crowds throughout the week. Both Saturday rodeos and the Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton concerts were sold out. A record number of 267,369 rodeo and concert tickets were sold overall – rivalling the 100^th Anniversary in 1996.

The “Daddy of ‘em All” returned after cancelling in 2020 due to the global pandemic. This year, organizers introduced a clear bag policy, emphasized digital tickets, and increased sanitation to make the event as safe as possible for everyone involved. The University of Nebraska Global Center for Health Security provided recommendations for health and safety protocols. Security measures were also modified and increased.

This year’s event was dedicated to Chris LeDoux, the rodeo and recording legend. Garth Brooks and Ned LeDoux spoke at the dedication of the bigger than life bronze statue Just LeDoux It that was added to Frontier Park to commemorate the event’s 125^th anniversary.

The 2021 rodeo had 1,403 contestants competing for over $1 million in prize money. Women’s breakaway roping and a tournament-style format returned for the second time.

At the Championship Finals on Sunday, 14,925 fans witnessed history when reigning all-around champion Stetson Wright won consecutive titles. It is the first time in over 60 years a cowboy competing from the bucking chutes has done that. Wright also became the first member of his famous saddle bronc riding family to win that event here. His father Cody Wright started competing here in 2001 and there have been family members on the roster every year since.

The two Saturday rodeo performances on July 24 and 31 were sold out. All rodeo performances were broadcast worldwide on the Cowboy Channel. Competition was sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Animals are an important part of CFD. An estimated 6,000 make their way through the rodeo arena, parades and the bull riding. All animals are checked multiple times throughout the day with their health and welfare being of primary concern. CFD veterinarians treated seven animals and all but two were expected to make a full recovery.

Rodeo attendance through nine performances was 111,617 compared to 97,373 two years ago, an increase of over 14 percent. Total attendance for Frontier Nights was 155,618 compared to 120,518 in 2019, a 29 percent increase. Total attendance increased as well, but numbers aren’t available as much of the gate admission was free.

Professional Bull Riders (PBR) hosted their Last Cowboy Standing competition as part of Frontier Nights July 26-27. The last bull rider standing on Tuesday night was Brazilian Jose Vitor Leme. It was one of the best crowds since CFD added bull riding with 20,257 in attendance. Events were broadcast on PBR’s Ride Pass and CBS Sports.

Other numbers were in line with previous years. Four parades were extremely well attended. Two of those parades were broadcast by the Cowboy Channel. Three pancake breakfasts saw 19,025 meals served and approximately 50,000 visited the Indian Village.

Military Monday again honored all branches of the military with active personnel and veterans receiving free admission. The USAF Thunderbirds performed Wednesday over F.E. Warren Airforce Base with approximately 5,756 people in attendance on base.

“After missing a year, it was amazing to see how our volunteers and everyone involved came together to produce a fantastic event,” said Jimmy Dean Siler, General Chairman of Cheyenne Frontier Days. “I can’t say thank you enough to the fans, competitors, performers and volunteers and most of all this great Cheyenne community.”

On a day when a majority of the saddle bronc riders at the 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) scored 80-plus points, Ben Anderson managed to best them all.

The Rocky Mountain House, Alberta cowboy recorded an 88.5-point ride on the back of Championship Pro Rodeo’s Damaged Goods to win Friday’s CFD Semi Final round and propel himself into Sunday’s Championship Finals.

Of the nine saddle bronc riders who stayed on for eight seconds, six were 83 points or higher. Anderson held off Milford, Utah’s Stetson Wright (88 points) who put himself in position to be the first of his famous saddle bronc riding family to win a championship in that event since his father Cody Wright started competing here over 20 years ago.

This wasn’t the first time Anderson had been on the back of Damaged Goods as the two met at the Mandan (North Dakota) Rodeo Days earlier in July. Anderson hit the ground in less than two seconds, leading to his moment of revenge on Friday.

“I knew he was good. Actually, my travel partner, Layton Green, got on him the other day and had a really good trip with him. He was 85. He was good with me (the first time), just bucked me off really quick,” Anderson said. He also previously won a qualifying round by posting an 88 in the quarterfinals. “I saved it all for Cheyenne I guess.”

Tight races were the norm during the first Semi Final round at the “Daddy of ’em All”, as bareback riders Tim O’Connell (Zwingle, Iowa) and Tilden Hooper (Carthage, Texas) set the tone in the day’s first event. Both cowboys rode for 86 points to tie for the top spot, keeping the battle between the No. 1 and No. 2 bareback riders in the world extremely close. The gap between the two men in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association standings is less than $20,000, meaning money in Cheyenne could play a big role in how the season finishes. It took an 80.5-point or better ride just to qualify for Sunday.

Five team roping duos managed to finish their runs in under 12 seconds, with the pairings of Dustin Egusquiza (Marianna, Florida) and Travis Graves (Jay, Oklahoma), and Levi Simpson (Ponoka, Alberta) and Tyler Worley (Berryville, Arkansas) tying for the Semi Final’s top time at 9.5 seconds.

A similar pattern emerged in steer wrestling as five of the six qualifiers finished in under seven seconds, with Hallsville, Texas cowboy Justin Shaffer posting a time of 5.5 seconds.

In women’s breakaway roping, 10 of the 12 competitors recorded a time and everyone went for 6.1 seconds or less, making the race for the top six spots extremely narrow. Stephenville, Texas’ Kayelen Helton edged out Buffalo, South Dakota’s Sawyer Gilbert to win the day. Helton finished in 4.3 seconds, just ahead of Gilbert’s 4.6.

While tight scores among the top six competitors were the norm in most events, bull riding proved to be the exception as the pen turned out to be extremely difficult. Of the 13 cowboys to climb on, only four were able to last eight seconds. Still, it turned into a close competition as Grand Coulee, Washington’s Shane Proctor held off Randlett, Utah’s Josh Frost to win the day. Proctor, who won this rodeo in 2011, was at the top of the leaderboard with an 86.5-point ride on the back of Dakota Rodeo’s Big Red, while Frost was 86 on Stace Smith’s 637D.

The Semi Finals 2 will start at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday at Frontier Park. Six competitors in an event qualify for Championship Sunday from each Semi Final.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 30, 2021) – The following are unofficial results from the Semi Finals One (seventh performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Friday. All money winners advance to Sunday’s Championship Finals. Payoff subject to change.

Bareback Riding: 1, (tie) Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, on Sankey Pro Rodeo’s Prairie Rose, and Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Hooey Rocks, 86 points, $2,780 each. 3, Cole Franks, Clarenden, Texas, 82.5, $1,726. 4, (tie) Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., and Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 81, $911 each. 6, Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas, 80.5, $479.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, Texas, 4.3 seconds, $6,088. 2, Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., 4.6, $4,612. 3, Makayla Mack, Hennessey, Okla., 5.1, $3,321. 4, (tie) Tibba Smith, Hobbs, N.M., and Nicole Baggarley, Las Cruces, N.M., 5.2, $1,753. 6, (tie) Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, and Coralee Spratt, Shoshoni, Wyo., 5.3, $231 each.
Tie-Down Roping: 1, Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas, 10.4 seconds, $2,328. 2, Ladd King, Kaysville, Utah, 10.5, $1,927. 3, John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, 11.6, $1,525. 4, (tie) Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, and Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 12.1, $923. 6, Ryan Thibodeaux, Stephenville, Texas, 12.5, $401.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Ben Anderson, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, 88.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Damaged Goods, $3,043. 2, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 88, $2,305. 3, (tie) Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta, and Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., 82, $1,383. 5, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 84, $645. 6, Sterling Crawley, Huntsville, Texas, 83, $461.
Team Roping: 1, (tie) Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta, and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Arkansas; and Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 9.5 seconds, $1,876 each. 3, Jason Stewart, Pendleton, Ore., and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 10.7, $1,484 each. 4, Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz., and Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif., 10.8, $1,093 each. 5, Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., and Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 10.9, $703 each. 6, Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 20.8, $390 each.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 5.5 seconds, $2,121. 2, (tie) Brian Snell, Wheatland, Wyo., and Chance Howard, Sadler, Texas, 6.2, $1,574. 4, Kalane Andrews, Bayard, Neb., 6.3, $1,390. 5, Mike McGinn, Haines, Ore., 6.8, $658. 6, Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., 7.5, $366.
Barrel Racing: 1, Michelle Darling, Medford, Okla., 17.49, $4,839. 2, Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 17.64, $4,004. 3, Lindsay Sears, Ropesville, Texas, 17.68, $3170. 4, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.69, $$2,336. 5, Jordon Briggs, Chilton, Texas, 17.70, $1,502. 6, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.71, $834.
Bull Riding: (four rides) 1, Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash., 86.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Big Red, $3,098. 2, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 86, $2,347. 3, Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La., 84.5, $1,690. 4, J.C. Mortensen, Paulden, Ariz., 79, $1,127.
*Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: First round winners – 1, (tie) Reed Neely, Sanger, Calif., on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s #253, and Garrett Long, Valentine, Neb., on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s #254, 81 points, $1,081 each. 3, Colt Cunningham, Rose, Okla., 80, $671. 4, Jade Taton, Kersey, Colo., 78, $447. 3, Locky Sheppard, Snyder, Texas, 77, $26.. 4, Wyatt Lohman, Weatherford, Okla., 76, $186.
Second round leaders – 1, Triston Eklund, Valentine, Neb., 83 points. 2, Matt Shannon, Prineville, Ore., 75. 3, Bailey Bench, Oakley, Idaho, 71. 4, (tie) Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo.,69. 4, Karson Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif, 68. Total on two: 1, Cunningham, 147.5 points. 2, Wells, 143. 3, Sheppard, 142. 4, Mebane, 138. 5, Lucas Macza, High River, Alberta, 136. 6, Jacob Coates, Aurora, Utah, 134.
*Wild Horse Race: 1, Team Harmon, $782. 2, Team Agin.com, $587. 3, Pierce Trucking, $291. 4, Pat Vargus Team, $196. Overall leaders: 1, 3-N $1,173. 2, (tie) James Federer and Shockers, $978 each. 4, (tie) Butin Pump, Team Harmon, Cowboy Dream, Crazy Rayz, Team Meanus, New Mexico Playboys, $782 each.

Canada’s Ben Anderson had the highest marked saddle bronc ride of this year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo at 88.5 points. The Rocky Mountain House resident rode Championship Pro Rodeo’s Damaged Goods for the win. – PRCA photo by Click Thompson

The first bracket of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo was completed at Frontier Park on Thursday afternoon.

A new format this year meant the rodeo started with six Quarter Finals with the best from each advancing to two Semi Finals. The best from the Semi Finals advance to the Championship Finals which will close out the competition on Aug. 1.

There are some very happy rodeo contestants and even more that are disappointed and headed on to the next rodeo. Among the happiest are saddle bronc riders Isaac Diaz and Cole Elshere who tied for the win in Quarter Finals 6. They each had 84-point efforts.

Diaz has the most to gain with a win here. He is currently 21^st in the world standings and if he continues collecting checks, he is likely to move into the top 15 who qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) next December. Diaz, from Desdemona, Texas, rode Stace Smith’s horse named Cow Camp. He is looking for his eighth NFR qualification.

Elshere got on another horse from Smith named Satin Sheets. The Faith, South Dakota, resident isn’t ranked in the top 50 in the world standings, so he also really needs a win. Elshere competed at his fourth NFR last December and has been dealing with a neck injury, so getting on a great horse and earning a big score had him smiling from ear-to-ear.

If either one remains at the top of the board through the Semi Finals and Championship Finals, it would be their first title at the “Daddy of ‘em All.” Brody Cress, who calls Hillsdale, Wyoming home and is a local favorite, has won the saddle bronc riding at the last three rodeos here in Cheyenne. Cress also rode today, but his score was not high enough to advance him to the Semi Finals.

Justin Shaffer from Hallsville, Texas, had the fast time in the steer wrestling at 5.9 seconds. Shaffer has yet to qualify for the NFR, but with the way he is performing at Frontier Park, he should be among rodeo’s best soon. His time was over a second faster than the man in second place, Justin Kimsey from Kennewick, Washington.

Thursday’s barrel racing once again saw a Cheyenne Frontier Days champion at the top. Nellie Miller from Cottonwood, California, stopped the clock in 17.37 seconds for the win. Miller has won this rodeo twice (2018 & 2019) aboard her great blue roan mare, Rafter W Minnie, known as Sister. Miller said the reason that they do so well here is that Sister likes the arena at Frontier Park.

The first performance of the Semi-Finals will start at 12:45 on Friday. There will be 12 contestants in all the events except the bull riding.

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The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (sixth performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Thursday. Payoff subject to change.

Bareback Riding: 1, Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 85.5 points on Three Hills Pro Rodeo’s Pony Keg, $2,448. 2, Will Martin, Goodwell, Okla., 82.5, $1,836. 3, (tie) Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas and Jess Pope, Waverly, Kansas, 82, $916 each.

Breakaway Roping: 1, Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz., 5.2 seconds, $2,952. 2, (tie) Coralee Spratt, Shoshoni, Wyo., and McKenzie Frizzel, Cochise, Ariz., 5.4, $1,845 each. 4, Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., 6.0, $737.

Tie-Down Roping: 1,(tie) Hagen Houck, Henrietta, Texas, and J.C. Malone, Plain City, Utah, 11.8 seconds, $1,662 each. 3, Kasen Brennise, Craig, Colo., 12.3, $949. 4, Robert Mathis, Mart, Texas, 12.5, $488.

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: First round leaders– 1, Colt Cunningham, Rose, Okla., 80 points. 2, Jade Taton, Kersey, Colo., 78. 3, Dylan Schofield, Philip, S.D., 77. 4, (tie) Wyatt Lohman, Weatherford, Okla., and Rowdy Dunklin, Malakoff, Texas, 76. Second round leaders – 1, Triston Eklund, Valentine, Neb., 83 points. 2, Matt Shannon, Prineville, Ore., 75. 3, Bailey Bench, Oakley, Idaho, 71. 4, (tie) Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo.,69. 4, Karson Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif, 68. Total on two: 1, Schofield, 144 points. 2, Wells, 143. 3, Lucas Macza, High River, Alberta, 136. 4, Clayton Atkinson, Casper, Wyo., 133.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, (tie) Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Satin Sheets, and Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Cow Camp, $2,060 each. 3, Leon Fountain, Soccoro, N.M., 83, $1,177. 4, Jake Clark, Crane, Ore., 81.5, $589.

Team Roping: 1, Jason Burson, Sealy, Texas, and Corey Hendrick, Bedias, Texas, 8.9 seconds, $1,847 each. 2, Lane Stock, Taylor, Ariz., and Justin Simon, Florence, Ariz., 9.8, $1,386 each. 3, Joshua and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 10.4, $924 each. 4, Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 10.8, $462 each.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 5.9 seconds, $1,951. 2, Justin Kimsey, Kennewick, Wash., 7.1, $1,463. 3, Newt Novich, Twin Bridges, Mont., 8.7, $975 . 4, (tie) Dean Finnerty, Wheatland, Wyo., and Cody Cabral, Hilo, Hawaii, 9.0, $244 each.

Barrel Racing: 1, Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif., 17.37 seconds, $2,225. 2, Katie Pascoe, Morro Bay, Calif., 17.67, $1,669. 3, Shelley Morgan, Canton, Texas, 17.75, $1,112. 4, (tie) Tyra Kane, Weatherford, Texas, and Cheyenne Hattesen, Lemon Cove, Calif., 17.76, $278 each.

Bull Riding: 1, Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo., 86 points on Universal Pro Rodeo’s Chan Man, $2,397. 2, J.B. Mauney, Cotulla, Texas, 85, $1,798. 3, Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash., 84.5, $1,198. 4, Gavin Michel, Nixa, Mo., 83, $599.

Wild Horse Race: (three rides) 1, Shockers, $782. 2, James Federer, $587. 3, Nowland, $391. Overall leaders: 3-N, $1,173. 2, (tie) James Federer and Shockers, $977.50 each. 4, (tie) Butin Pump, Cowboy Dream, Crazy Rays, Team Meanus, New Mexico Playboys, $782 each.

South Dakota saddle bronc rider Cole Elshere made an 84-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s horse Satin Sheets to tie for first with Texas cowboy Isaac Diaz during Quarter Finals 6 at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. – PRCA photo by Click Thompson

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