July 23-August 1, 2027
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July 23-August 1, 2027
Joey Williams, who earned the Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) breakaway roping championship two years ago, advanced to next week’s semifinals at the 130th CFD. The Volberg, Montana, cowgirl won the first performance with a time of 4.9 seconds and continues her quest to take home another coveted CFD trophy buckle. CFD photo by Hailey Rae.
Heeler Trey Yates continued his efforts to win a second Cheyenne Frontier Days title by winning the first performance with his team roping partner Riley Kittle of Woodland, Alabama. Their time of 8.3 seconds earned them $2,000 each and a spot in next week’s semifinals at Frontier Park. CFD photo by Laura Storey.
Rookie Hunter Greenup of Lexington, Oregon, scored 88 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s horse named Indecent Exposure to tie for first place in bareback riding at the first performance of the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Greenup was using a rigging he borrowed from former world champion Jess Pope after his was damaged at a rodeo earlier this week. CFD photo by Laura Storey.
Kash Loyd, the 2024 National High School Bareback Riding Champion from Cleburne, Texas, rode a horse named High Hills from Stace Smith Rodeo for 88 points to tie for first place in bareback riding at the first performance of the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Loyd, who won the Texas High School Rodeo Shootout in January at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, advanced to the semifinals at Frontier Park next week. CFD photo by Laura Storey.
130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Action Underway
CHEYENNE, Wyo., (July 17, 2026) — Two former Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) champions earned wins at the first performance of the 130th Daddy of ‘em All and have a chance to win titles here again as they advanced to next week’s semifinals.
Joey Williams of Volberg, Montana, was the next-to-last competitor in the breakaway roping. She just needed a qualified time to advance to the semifinals, but the 2023 CFD champion breakaway roper did not settle for simply advancing. Instead, she stopped the clock in 4.9 seconds to win first and nearly $2,600.
Williams, who has qualified four times for National Finals Breakaway Roping, stays busy helping run the family ranch and being mom to three children.
Trey Yates of Pueblo, Colorado, who won the CFD team roping title in 2019 with header Dustin Bird, took first place in that event Friday with header Riley Kittle of Woodland, Alabama. Their time of 8.3 seconds earned them $2,000 each and a trip to the semifinals.
Yates is part of a strong family legacy at Frontier Park. His father J.D. Yates won CFD all-around and steer roping championships and his grandfather Dick Yates and aunt Kelly Yates were also successful here.
The reigning CFD all-around champion Jake Clay of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, also advanced to the semifinals in team roping with his partner Whip Peterson of San Simon, Arizona.
A couple of young bareback riders tied for top honors with 88-point rides in a performance when a score of 85 points was not enough to be among the top 6. Kash Loyd, the 2024 National High School Champion bareback rider, scored 88 on a horse called High Hills from Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s, matching the score that Lexington, Oregon’s Hunter Greenup tallied on another Smith horse named indecent exposure. Greenup, who is currently ninth in the rookie standings, was using a rigging he borrowed from former world champion Jess Pope after his gear was damaged earlier this week.
The day’s most inspiring win was when barrel racer Anita Ellis of Blackfoot, Idaho,
smoked the field by nearly four-tenths of a second. Ellis is back in the saddle after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a horseback accident in November, keeping her from competing at her first National Finals Rodeo. Ellis, riding her six-year-old grey gelding named SGL Rico, stopped the clock in 17.87 seconds, earned more than $2,600 and advanced to the semifinals.
The day began with the grand opening of the Morning Star American Indian Village at Frontier Park, a brand new 3.8-acre venue for Native American cultural activities.
The second performance begins Saturday at 12:45 when new contestants in every event but bull riding will be vying for their spots in the Semi Finals. Bull riders compete in two consecutive performances here to try to advance to the semifinals.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 17, 2026)- The following are unofficial results from the performance of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Friday, July 17. Prize money subject to change.
Bareback Riding: 1, (tie) Kash Loyd, Cleburne, Texas, on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s High Hills, and Hunter Greenup, Lexington, Ore., on Smith’s Indecent Exposure, 88 points, $2,050 each. 3, Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, 87, $1,300. 4, (tie) Trevar McAllister, Ronan, Mont., and Daxtyn Field, Roosevelt, Utah, 86 points, $585 each. 6, Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo., 85.5.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas, 10.4 seconds, $2,000. 2, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 11.3, $1,500. 3, Trey Stembridge, Kamas, Utah, 11.7, $1,000. 4, Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La., 11.9, $500. 5, Trenton Smith, Iowa, La., 12.3, $250.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 4.9 seconds, $2,591. 2, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 5.7, $1,943. 3, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, Texas, 6.9. $972 each. 5, Millie Greenwood, Caldwell, Idaho, 15.9. 6, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Calgary, Alberta, 18.3.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 87 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Buck Owens, $2,300. 2, Christopher Nelson, Lake Andes, S.D., 83, $1,800. 3, Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas, 82.5, $1,300. 4, Will Pollock, Utopia, Texas, 80.5, $750. 5, (tie) Wyatt Lavergne, Sulphur, La., Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., and Gus Gaillard, Mors140 each 80, $140 each.
Team Roping: 1, Riley Kittle, Woodland, Ala., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Color, 8.3 seconds, $2,000 each. 2, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., and Whip Peterson, San Simon, Ariz., 8.8, $1,500 each. 3, Austin Crist, Wiley, Colo., and Dave Tripp, Penrose, Colo., 9.0, $1000 each. 4, (tie) Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D., and Arye Espenscheid, Big Piney, Wyo.; and Rawley Ben, Jr., Peridot, Ariz., and Blake Walker II, Forest City, N.C., $375.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Ryan Shuckburgh, Innisfail, Alberta, Canada, 7.6 seconds, $2,000. 2, Ty Bauerle, Jourdanton, Texas, 7.7, $1,500. 3, Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho, 8.1, $1,000. 4, (tie) Dalton Walker, Bertram, Texas, and Cash Robb, Altamont, Utah, 8.9, $375.
Barrel Racing: 1, Anita Ellis, Blackfoot, Idaho, 17.87 seconds, $2,462. 2, Kim Squires, Carnegie, Okla., 18.20, $1,981. 3, Taryn Boxleitner, Loveland, Colo., 18.28, $1,321. 4, Laura Lambert, Wiggins, Colo., 18.40, $660. 5, Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash., 18.61. 6, Kylie Kanngieser, Attica, Kan., 18.77.
Bull Riding: (four rides)1, Lane Vaughan, Klamath Falls, Ore., 82 points on Harper & Morgan Rodeo’s Wicked, $2,188. 2, Dakota Hill, Bagwell, Texas, $1,737. 3, Jace Hensley, Marshall, Mo., 79.5, $888. 4, Riggen Hughes, Kempner, Texas, 79, $437.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Lanny Brooks, Faith, S.D., 83 points. 2, Kaden Wood, Whitewood, S.D., 81. 3, Cade Costello, Newell, S.D., 77. 4, (tie) Pace Garrett, Gillette, Wyo., and Holden Eisemann, Glenham, S.D., 75.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Team Masi, $638. 2, Baty Bunch, $491. 3, Beer Money!, $344.
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
With six opportunities to advance to the Semi-Finals in every event except the bull riding, the competition is going to be fierce for all 10 days of the rodeo. We have one former champion in the bareback riding, and that just happens to be Wyoming’s own Cole Reiner, who tied for the win in 2023. He is currently 10th in the world standings and looking for a sixth trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Money won here will certainly help him accomplish that. Keenan Hayes from Hayden, Colorado, made a statement in 2024 while competing as a rookie when he finished as the world champion bareback rider. Injuries kept him away last year, and he is in a prime position to be back in Las Vegas this year, at fifth in the world. And if the Feild name seems familiar, it should. Daxtyn Feild’s grandfather, Lewis Feild, won the all-around title here in 1982. Ironically, his uncle Kacey Feild, the GOAT of bareback riders, never won a title here. Daxtyn tied for the intercollegiate bareback title last June in Casper, so he hopes his success in Wyoming continues.
Today’s saddle bronc riding features three traveling partners who competed together at the 2024 NFR – Wyatt Casper, Kade Bruno and Weston Patterson. Wyatt finished last year’s regular season in 16th, so he missed the yellow bucking chutes. He won’t be denied this year. He is coming off a big win at the Calgary Stampede and is fourth in the world. Kade is one spot ahead of him, and Weston is making up ground at 30th. If any one of these guys wins a title here, it will be their first.
Bull riding is generally a fan favorite, and with today’s roster, those fans are in for a treat. Of the 20 competitors here today, four have already won titles in Frontier Park. Australian Qynn Anderson is the reigning champion; T.J. Gray won it in 2024. Idaho’s Ruger Piva in 2018 and Roscoe Jarboe in 2016. And if that isn’t enough, Tyler Kippes, the comeback story of the year, will be continuing his path to greatness. At Rodeo Austin in 2025, he got hit in the chest by a bull’s horn and had a ruptured heart valve. The 22-year-old who grew up in Eaton, Colorado, made his return to competition last January at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo, where he rode his first bull back. This will be his first time to compete at “the Daddy,” and no one is more excited to be here than him.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
One year ago, Anita Ellis took the barrel racing world by storm, winning the Calgary Stampede and then earning about $8,000 here. She qualified for her first NFR, then disaster struck. She was competing in Utah, fell and had a traumatic brain injury that kept her in the hospital for two weeks. That injury kept her from competing at the NFR, and she has been working hard to get back there in December. It was her third time recovering from injuries. She has amazing horses that she has trained that thrive in big arenas like the one in Frontier Park.
The breakaway roping is stacked with past CFD champions and notoriety. Watch for Lari Dee Guy and Jackie Crawford, who have led the breakaway roping charge. Macy Young tied for the win here in 2022, and Shelby Boisjoli-Meged won it in 2024. Meged is the only breakaway roper to have qualified for the WPRA’s championship event since it started in 2020. She has ground to make up to make it again, as she has yet to crack the top 25 in the world standings. Outside of the arena, she and her tie-down roping husband, Haven Meged, welcomed a baby boy in May. Haven is also competing today, so they will take turns with the baby and being in the arena.
Also, in the tie-down roping today is Zach Jongbloed, who had the biggest win of his career last Sunday at the Calgary Stampede. That moved him to eighth in the world standings, and he is hoping the momentum of that legendary rodeo carries over to today. They will be joined by John Douch, who is third in the world and looking for his fifth trip to Las Vegas to compete at the world championships.
Winsten McGraw makes his home in Gill, Colorado, about an hour away from Frontier Park. He has never made the NFR, but his horses have, and he’s done plenty of the hazing in the arena. His horse Off the Fence, “Swamper,” is a standout in the steer wrestling world. Swamper finished as the reserve champion last year. Winsten knows good horses and steer wrestlers depend on him. When Winsten provides horses for other competitors, he earns 25% of the prize money and at a rodeo like Cheyenne’s, that can add up quickly.
The number five and seven men in the steer wrestling standings will be trying to improve their positions today, and both are from Oregon. Dalton Massey has been to the NFR twice and is nearly a shoo-in for a third trip. Mike McGinn is in seventh, and if he stays among the top 15, he will be competing in Las Vegas in December for the first time. Dirk Tavenner has been there three times, but not since 2023, as he has been on the injured list. He has been picking up checks and needs to continue to move up into the world standings to qualify for next winter’s big building rodeos.
Team ropers Lightning Aguilera and Kaden Profili roped together at last year’s NFR after each of them qualified without their regular-season partners. They had enough success in Las Vegas to earn over $150,000. They started this season with their regular partners, but found their way back to each other this spring. Kaden won the CNFR in Casper two years ago and is 7th in the world. Lightning is fifth.
The excitement, speed, and tradition of Indian relay racing will be front and center this summer as the Indian Relay Tour of Champions makes a highly anticipated stop during Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Top relay teams from across Indian Country will compete in two action-packed weekends of racing, showcasing one of the oldest and most thrilling equestrian sports in North America. Women’s relay races will be held July 17–18, followed by the men’s relay competition on July 23–24 at Frontier Park during the world-famous rodeo.
Known for its fast-paced action and incredible athleticism, Indian relay racing features bareback riders sprinting around the track before exchanging from one horse to another in seconds — no saddles and no margin for error. The sport combines horsemanship, teamwork, courage, and deep cultural tradition passed down through generations.
“This event brings together elite relay athletes and celebrates Native culture in front of one of the largest western audiences in the world,” relay organizers said. “Cheyenne Frontier Days is the perfect stage for these competitors to showcase their talents and continue growing the sport.”
As an HNIRC-accredited race, winning the relay races at Cheyenne Frontier Days offers more than just bragging rights. Men’s and Women’s Indian Relay winners at CFD will earn a coveted berth in the prestigious Indian Relay Championship of Champions — now held each September in Cheyenne.
In 2026, the Championship of Champions will celebrate its 10th anniversary, bringing together top relay teams from across the region for one of the most respected and competitive Indian relay races in North America and a true season-ending showcase of champions.
The Indian Relay Tour of Champions continues to draw growing crowds and national attention as Native relay racing expands across the western United States and Canada. Spectators can expect intense competition, colorful team presentations, and a celebration of Native American heritage and western tradition.
Fans who experience Indian Relay racing at Cheyenne Frontier Days this July are encouraged to come back for even more high-speed action at the Indian Relay Championship of Champions, returning September 25–27 at Frontier Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After getting a taste of the excitement this summer, fans are sure to be hungry for more. Tickets and event information for Indian Relay Championship of Champions are available at horsenationsindianrelay.com
An expanded rodeo schedule with an updated format will highlight the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration in 2026.
For the first time in the rodeo’s history, there will be 10 consecutive days of professional rodeo with the addition of the first Friday rodeo, from July 17 – 26. The additional performance allows for more rodeo action while enhancing the overall experience for fans, contestants and volunteers.
In 2026, Cheyenne Frontier Days will increase rodeo prize money from $770,000 to $960,000 reflecting a continued investment in maintaining its elite status as one of the richest payouts in professional rodeo. CFD is also introducing revisions to the tournament style format designed to support the rodeo’s long-term sustainability.
Cheyenne Frontier Days faces challenges accommodating the huge number of modern rodeo rigs used by contestants in timed events to house both the contestants and their horses. The new format will allow road-weary contestants and their animals time to rest while on Frontier Park. It will also ease park congestion, while supporting the volunteers who are preparing for the celebration. Current challenges also exist with cattle availability, a major factor for the rodeo industry.
The updated rodeo format eliminates qualifying slack rounds for timed events the week before the official start of Cheyenne Frontier Days. Instead, CFD worked with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) to select qualifying rodeos across the country for contestants to be among the elite that compete at the Daddy of ‘em All.
“Our goal is to have long-term sustainability for all of our events, especially the rodeo that is the cornerstone of our celebration,” said Tom Hirsig CFD Chief Executive Officer. “There are a lot of factors to consider when planning, from our relationships with our sanctioning bodies (PRCA and WPRA) to the contestants and the thousands of volunteers who put in countless hours to make it all possible.”
In the timed events of tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing, contestants will qualify through a combination of selected qualifying rodeos, world standings and circuit qualifications. Advancement to the semifinals will be determined by performance during the first six preliminary rounds, with top competitors moving on to one of three semifinal rounds. From there, finalists will advance to championship competition, where champions will ultimately be crowned during the finals on July 26, ensuring a competitive field and strong nationwide representation inside the Frontier Park arena.
“We are excited for the rodeos selected to serve as qualifiers,” Hirsig said. “This is a groundbreaking opportunity to work with other professional rodeos that are spread out geographically across the United States. We are confident that contestants will utilize them as a chance to punch their ticket to the Daddy of ’em All.”
Daily rodeo tickets range from $26 to $53, with a $3 discount available on tickets purchased before July 1. Fans are welcome to come out on Monday and Thursday mornings for the Wild Card Rounds for a $5 gate admission. CFDrodeo.com is the only official source for tickets to the Daddy of ‘em All, and tickets for the new Chute 9 are now available for purchase.
Celebrating its 130th year in 2026, Cheyenne Frontier Days continues its legacy of showcasing elite rodeo competition, honoring tradition and delivering an unforgettable Western experience to fans from the seasoned veteran to those that travel to Cheyenne from around the world.
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been honored with the 2025 PRCA Remuda Award, recognizing the rodeo committee that provides the best and most consistent pen of bucking horses in professional rodeo.
The Remuda Award, presented annually by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), celebrates a rodeo and stock contractor that offers contestants the highest-quality livestock, giving cowboys the best opportunity to showcase their talent and compete on a level playing field.
“It’s really exciting for us to even be considered for the Remuda Award,” Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig said. “There are so many great rodeos out there and the quality of bucking horses has gone through the roof.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days has worked diligently to develop its tournament-style format, with nine evenly matched performances designed to give each cowboy an equal shot at the title. Working closely with Smith Pro Rodeos, the committee collaborates with multiple subcontractors to assemble nine balanced pens of horses, a process requiring months of planning and deep knowledge of each animal’s style and ability.
Hirsig gave a special thank you to Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, the primary stock contractor for Cheyenne Frontier Days, and acknowledged the other contractors that provide livestock for the eight-day rodeo extravaganza.
“I think we’re just very thankful that we’ve got Stace Smith, who really cares about our rodeo and is trying to make it one of the best ones when it comes to the bucking horses,” Hirsig said. “He’s worked hard to try to get us to this level and it’s great to see that we’re getting acknowledged for it.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days also continues to invest in animal welfare and performance excellence. In collaboration with Smith Pro Rodeos and the Samuelson Family, the organization developed a dedicated resting and grazing area north of Cheyenne to provide bucking stock with a quiet, natural environment during the celebration, ensuring the horses remain in peak condition.
The Samuelson Family has been a tremendous supporter of Cheyenne Frontier Days, and their generosity made this important project possible. Their unwavering commitment to the sport, the animals, and the spirit of the Daddy of ’em All has strengthened CFD’s foundation and helped ensure that both contestants and livestock perform at their best.
The award will be presented at the PRCA Awards Banquet on Dec. 3 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, ahead of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The 129th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) ended with a record-setting final championship round.
Saddle bronc riding has been part of the “Daddy of ‘em All” since 1897. Over the years only three cowboys have won the bronc riding title three times- Earl Thode in the late 1920s and early 1930s, Cody DeMoss in 2004, 2010 and 2012, and local favorite Brody Cress who was the first to win three in a row from 2017 to 2019.
Cress, who is from nearby Hillsdale and graduated from a Cheyenne high school, was the favorite to win after a random draw gave him the chance to ride THE Black Tie. The mare, owned by Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics, was the dance partner for the past two CFD champions and helped Ryder Sanford set the record in Frontier Park two years ago.
The scores were high with a pair of 89.5-point rides leading as the final two cowboys left the chute. First, Cress scored 91 points bringing the crowd to its feet, then four-time world champion Zeke Thurston made a great ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cat Walk for 90 points.
Cress became the first cowboy to win the saddle bronc riding title four times and said the fourth win was the sweetest yet, after not coming close for the six years since his last win here.
Cress wasn’t the only record setter on Championship Sunday. Bareback rider Kade Berry of Weatherford, Texas, broke a record set more than 50 years ago by three-time CFD champ Joe Alexander.
Berry rode Brookman Rodeos’ Lunatic Heaven for 93.5 points, half a point higher than the record and two points higher than former world champion Jess Pope who rode Smith Pro Rodeo’s Risky Business just before Berry.
The winningest cowgirl in Women’s Professional Rodeo Association history, Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, South Dakota, made her own CFD history. Lockhart was the champion here in 2015 riding her famous buckskin horse Louie. She joined the list of two-time CFD champions when she and another Buckskin, Rosa’s Cantina, stopped the clock in 17.03. She is the first woman to win titles here ten years apart.
But the decade between Lockhart’s wins in Frontier Park wasn’t the longest. Steer roper Scott Snedecor won the championship here in 2009. Last year the four-time world champion came close to winning his second CFD title, but his steer did not stay tied for the required time.
The Texan was as happy as any first-time winner after winning his event by a tenth of a second with a 12.7, taking home his second CFD championship after 16 years.
Danielle Lowman of Gilbert, Arizona, became the first woman from the Navajo Nation to win a CFD title. The talented breakaway roper who has competed three times at the National Finals Breakaway Roping made a 4.3-second run on her new horse Gucci to win the championship and more than $19,500. She was the biggest money winner of the rodeo.
Tyson Durfey, the former world champion tie-down roper, stepped away from fulltime rodeo after the 2020 season, staying home with his growing family, fighting a serious illness that kept him from riding a horse for a year and a half, and building his coaching business. Durfey’s professional career has included 14 trips to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and more than 20 trips to Frontier Park, but he had never been successful in Cheyenne.
“I made the short round in 2021, had the best calf and messed up due to nerves,” he said. “I never thought I’d get the chance again to win here.” He turned in a 10.9-second time he described as “not the picture-perfect run that I wanted,” but it was enough to win the championship that had eluded him.
Team ropers Aaron Tsinigine of Tuba City, Arizona, and Jeremy Buhler of Arrowwood, Alberta, each have world championships, but had never won at Cheyenne. They took home the coveted winner’s package after taking first in their event with a time of 9.3 seconds. Tsinigine said he had been trying to win in Frontier Park for 20 years, a title on his bucket list. Buhler said they are both at the point in their careers where “you aren’t sure how many more chances you’ll have to win here.”
The most demonstrative winner was steer wrestler Tyke Kipp. The 32-year-old cowboy was fired up after his 5.5-second run gave him the walk-off win. An all-around hand in high school and college (he was successful in bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and team roping), Kipp lives on a New Mexico ranch near Lordsburg that has been in his family for 147 years.
For the second time in five years, an Australian won the CFD championship in bull riding. Rookie Qynn Anderson of Koumala, Queensland, scored 90 points on Dakota Rodeo’s bull named Hunter. Anderson now leads the bull riding rookie of the year standings and is 12th in the bull riding world championship standings.
Several individuals were in contention for the CFD all-around championship, but when the rodeo was over the honor went to Jake Clay of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Clay, who has come close to making the NFR in team roping the past few years, competed in team roping and steer roping and won almost $7,000.
2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Champions
All Around – Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Oklahoma, $6,880 in steer and team roping
Steer Roping – Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, 12.7, $12,072
Bareback Riding – Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 93.5 points, $13,399
Tie-Down Roping – Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 10.9 seconds, $17,700
Breakaway Roping – Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Arizona, 4.3 seconds, $19,537
Saddle Bronc Riding – Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyoming, 91 points, $15,216
Team Roping – Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Arizona and
Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, 9.3 seconds, $13,530
Steer Wrestling – Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, New Mexico, 5.5 seconds, $16,614
Barrel Racing – Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, South Dakota, 17.03, $22,010
Bull Riding – Qynn Andersen, 90 points, $12,563
The following are unofficial results from the Championship Finals at the 129th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, Sunday, July 27.
Steer Roping: 1, Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, 12.7 seconds, $12,072. 2, Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 12.8, $10,261. 3, Roger Noella, Redmond, Ore., 15.0, $8,450. 4, Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla., 15.7, $7,243. 5, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., and Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas, 16.2 and $5,131 each. 7, Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 16.7, $3,018. 8, Ty Williams, Sulphur, Okla., 17.2, $2,414.
Bareback Riding: 1, Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 93.5 points, on Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven, $9,432. 2, Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan., 91.5, $7,145. 3, Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., 90, $5,145. 4, Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont., 89, $3,430. 5, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 88.5, $2,001. 6, Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La., 88, $1,429.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 10.9 seconds, $11,500. 2, Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash., 11.8, $10,000. 3, Tom Simpson, Malad, Idaho, 12.3, $8,500. 4, Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb., 12.5, $7,000. 5, Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla., 14.1, $5,500. 6, Kyan Wilhite, Clovis, N.M., 15.0, $4,000. 7, (tie) Tripp Brown, Kenansville, Fla., and Pecos Tatum, La Plata, N.M., 15.7 and $1,750 each.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz., 4.3 seconds, $13,021. 2, Rylee George, Oakdale, Calif., 4.9, $9,864. 3, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M., 5.9, $7,102. 4, Jacee Currin, Heppner, Ore., 6.2, $4,735. 5, Shy-Anne Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 6.3, $2,762. 6, Shawnee Sherwood, Coolidge, Ariz., 6.4, $1,973.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 91 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics The Black Tie, $9,157. 2, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley Alberta, 90, $6,937. 3, Waitley Sharon, Ordway, Colo., 89.5, $4,166. 4, Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, 89.5, $4,163. 5, (tie) Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., and Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo., 88.5, $1,665 each.
Team Roping: 1, Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz., and Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, 9.3 seconds, $11,500. 2, (tie) Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo.; and Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and Wesley Thorp, Stephenville, Texas, 9.5 and $9,250 each. 4, Ryon Boatright, Mulhall, Okla., and Jett Hillman, Perry, Okla., 9.7, $7,000. 5, Kyle Polich, Cortez, Colo., and T.J. Watts, Eads, Colo., 10.0, $5,500. 6, Devon Johnson, Red Oak, Texas, and Zane Pratt, Congress, Ariz., 10.8, $4,000. 7, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Blaine Vick, Breckenridge, Texas, 16.0, $2,500. 8, Kash Bonnett, Ponoka, Alberta and Logan Cullen, Courtenay, British Columbia, 16.3, $1,000.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 5.5 seconds, $9,200. 2, Talon Roseland, Marshalltown, Iowa, 5.8, $8,000. 3, Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La., and Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii, 6.1 & $6,200 each. 5, Mason Couch, Bronaugh, Mo., 6.8, $4,400. 6, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 6.9, $3,200. 7, Colten Leech, Chico, Texas, 7.1, $2,000. 8, Paul Melvin, Paradise, Texas, 7.2, $800.
Barrel Racing: 1, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.03 seconds, $10,819. 2, Tayla Moeykens, Three Fordk, Mont., 17.19, $8,954. 3, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.23, $7,088. 4, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.31, $5,223. 5, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 17.39, $3,358. 6, Carlee Otero, Perrin, Texas, 17.40, $1,865.
Bull Riding: (four rides) 1, Qynn Andersen, Koumala, Queensland, 90 points on Smith Pro Rodeo’s Hunter, $10,063. 2, Colten Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo., 87.5, $7,827. 3, Jesse Petri, Dublin, Texas, 86.5, $5,870. 4, Dakota Warnken, Wakarusa, Ind., 86, $4,193.
Wild Horse Race: (Sunday) 1, Gotta Go, $960. 2, Young Gunz, $720. 3, Team Meanus, $480. 4, Graves Team, $240. (total money) 1, Gotta Go, $6,000. 2, Young Gunz, $4,800. 3, Graves Team, $3,360. 4, Turquoise Rose, $2,310.
Wyoming’s Brody Cress stands alone in the Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) record book after becoming the first man since the event began in 1897 to win the saddle bronc riding championship four times. Cress scored 91 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ bucking horse named THE Black Tie. The horse has carried cowboys to the CFD title for the past three years, including Ryder Sanford’s record-setting win in 2023. CFD photo by Laura Storey
The longest-standing arena record at Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) fell after 51 years when Kade Berry of Weatherford, Texas, scored 93.5 points on Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven to win the bareback riding on Sunday. Berry broke the record set by three-time CFD champion and hall of fame cowboy Joe Alexander in 1974 by half a point. CFD photo by Tonya Hamner
Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, South Dakota, was all smiles after winning the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo’s barrel racing championship with a time of 17.03 seconds. Lockhart won her second championship in Frontier Park a decade after her first win in 2015. CFD photo by Click Thompson
With the conclusion of Semi Finals 2 at the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD), the field is set for Championship Sunday. The last contestants for this year’s final round were determined on the National Day of the Cowboy at Frontier Park.
Three-time CFD champion Brody Cress, who is from nearby Hillsdale and graduated from high school in Cheyenne, earned the chance to try to become the first saddle bronc rider since 1887 to win four championships at the “Daddy of ‘em All.” Cress scored 89.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s horse named Devils Advocate to win the semifinals. He bested another Brody from Wyoming, Brody Wells from Powell, by just half a point.
The highest score in bareback riding at Frontier Park this year went to world standings leader Rocker Steiner. Steiner, who lives in Weatherford, Texas, rode Dakota Rodeo’s horse called Native Lights for 92 points, just one point shy of the record set back in 1974 by three-time CFD champion Joe Alexander. Neither Steiner’s grandfather and father managed to win a championship here in their specialties (bull riding and steer wrestling, respectively), so he could accomplish a first for his storied rodeo family should he win on Sunday.
Former world champion tie-down roper Tyson Durfey stepped away from full-time rodeo a few years ago to concentrate on his coaching business. He qualified for his 14th National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2020, and five years later, it looks like he hasn’t missed a step. He roped his calf in 9.6 seconds to win Semi Final 2 and match the fastest time of this year’s rodeo set by Nebraska’s Riley Pruitt in the qualifying round. Pruitt won Semi Final 1 and will be among tomorrow’s ropers along with Durfey.
Jordi Edens-Mitchell, daughter of NFR team roper Tommy Edens, qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2022. Since then, she married a team roper, changed her name and had a baby. Her breakaway roping time of 4.9 seconds won the semifinals and advanced her to Sunday’s championship round.
Four former CFD champions compete in the team roping on Saturday, and all four advanced to the championship round. Billy Bob Brown, who won the heading title in 2016, tied for first in Semi Final 2 roping with fellow Texan Blaine Vick. Their time of 10.6 was matched by a pair of Oklahomans, Ryon Boatright and Jett Hillman. Another pair of Oklahomans, Bubba Buckaloo and 2018 CFD heeling champion Joseph Harrison finished third. South Carolina’s Luke Brown, 2015 champion header, and his partner Trey Yates, 2019 champion heeler, finished fourth.
Garrett Oates of Huntsville, Texas, notched the biggest win so far of his rookie season in pro rodeo by winning Semi Final 2 in steer wrestling with a time of 6.0 seconds. He is currently second in the rookie standings, but a strong finish on Sunday could help him reach number one.
Michelle Alley of Madisonville, Texas, bested three former CFD champions to win the barrel racing with a time of 17.09 seconds riding Lipstick N Stillettos, a mare she trained. Two of those former champions, 18-time NFR qualifier Lisa Lockhart and three-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, also advanced.
Bull rider Gavin Mitchell of Graford, Texas, earned $5,200 when he rode Dakota Rodeo’s bull named The Judge for 88.5 points to win the semifinals.
The rookie saddle bronc riding, a tradition at the “Daddy of ‘em All” since 1911, concluded Saturday, and Josue Molina became the first Mexican cowboy to win a championship in Frontier Park. The 22-year-old from Juarez in Chihuahua scored a total of 159 on two horses to win the event.
For the 129th time Cheyenne Frontier Days will crown champions on Sunday with the championship performance beginning at 12:45 p.m.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 26, 2025)- The following are unofficial results from the Semi Finals (seventh performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Saturday, July 25. The top six in each event advance to Championship Sunday.
Bareback Riding: 1, Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 92 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Native Lights, $3,441. 2, Kade Berry, Stephenville, Texas, 88, $2,606. 3, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 87, $1,877. 4, (tie) Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., and Quintonn Lunsford, McCune, Kan., 86.5, $991 each. 6, (tie) Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., and Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La. 86, $261 each.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 9.3 seconds, $5,200. 2, Ty Moser, Volga, S.D., 10.7, $4,300. 3, (tie) Kyan Wilhite, Clovis, N.M., and Pecos Tatum, La Plata, N.M., 11.0, $ 2,950 each. 5, Tripp Brown, Kenansville, Fla., 12.2, $1,600. 6, Jarvis Demery, Beggs, Okla., 12.3, $900.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Stephenville, Texas, 4.9 seconds, $6,510. 2, Shy-Anne Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 5.4, $4,932. 3, Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz., 5.8, $3,551. 4, Brooke Bruner, Parker, Colo., 5.9, $2,367. 5, Sequin Brewer, Union City, Okla., 6.6, $1,381. 6, Maddy Dearman, Hope, N.M., 6.8, $986.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 89.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Devils Advocate, $3,416. 2, Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo., 89, $2,588. 3, (tie) Waitley Sharon, Ordway, Colo., and Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 87, $1,553 each. 6, Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah, 85.5, $518.
Team Roping: (five times) 1, (tie) Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Blaine Vick, Breckenridge, Texas; and Ryon Boatright, Mulhall, Okla., and Jett Hillman, Perry, Okla., 10.6 seconds, $4,930 each. 3, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla., 11.9, $3,580 each. 4, Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo, 12.1, $2,680 each. 5, Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz., and Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, Canada, 15.6, $1,780 each. (Kyle Polich, Cortez, Colo., and T.J. Watts, Eads, Colo., also advance from Semi Final 1.)
Steer Wrestling: 1, Garrett Oates, Huntsville, Texas, 6.0, $4,060. 2, Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii, 6.2, $3,360. 3, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 6.3, $2,660. 4, Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D., 6.5, $1,960. 5, Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla., 6.6, $1,260. 6, (tie) Colten Leech, Chico, Texas, and Nathan Duvall, Hitchita, Okla., 7.7, $350 each. (Leech advances on tiebreaker.)
Barrel Racing: 1, Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas, 17.09 seconds, $5,410. 2, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.21, $4,477. 3, Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 17.33, $3,544. 4, Bristan McCarley, Happy, Texas, 17.35, $2,611. 5, Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont., 17.55, $1,679. 6, Hadley Tidwell, La Luz, N.M., 17.62, $933.
Bull Riding: 1, Gavin Mitchell, Graford, Texas, 88.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s The Judge, $5,200. 2, Robbie Taylor, Chinle, Ariz., 87, $4,300. 3, Ernie Courson, Jr., Okeechobee, Fla., 86, $3,400. 4, Qynn Anderson, Koumala, Queensland, Australia, 85.5, $2,500. 5, Jesse Petri, Dublin, Texas, 83.5. $1,600. 6, Mason Spain, Forney, Texas, 82.5, $900.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (second round winners) 1, Ty Brenna, Keene, N.D., 82 points on Smith Pro Rodeo’s 180, $1,242. 2, Josue Molina, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico,, 80, $941. 3, (tie) Tayson Jones, Howes, S.D., and Mitchell Story, Bayfield, Colo., 79, $564 each. 5, Jase Stout, Bayfield, Colo., 77, $263. 6, Tag Moses, Keenesburg, Colo., 76.5, $188.
(overall winners) 1, Molina, 159, $1,242. 2, (tie) Story, 157, $941. 3, Logan Nunn, Lovell, Wyo., and Moses, 153.5, $564 each. 5, Izaah Bartels, New Underwood, S.D., 153, $263. 6, (tie) Jasper Frost, Browns Valley, Calif., and Stout, 152. $94 each.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Crazy Horse, $600. 2, /M Ranch, $450. 3, Gotta Go, $300. 4, Young Gunz, $150.
Steer Roping: (first round winners) 1, Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla., 13.1, $6,941. 2, Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla., 14.0, $6,036. 3, Tuff Hardman, Atoka, Okla., 14.7, $5,131. 4, Kelton McMillen, Weatherford, Okla., 15.0, $4,225. 5, Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 15.3, $3,320. 6, (tie) Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla.; Jesse Stipes, Salina, Okla., and Cash Fretwell, Pleasanton, Texas, 16.1, $1,056 each.
(second round winners) 1, Riley O’Rourke, Skiatook, Okla., 12.0 seconds, $6,941. 2, Troy Tillard, Douglas, Wyo.,12.2, $6,036. 3, Cash Myers, Kaufman, Texas, 12.4, $5,131. 4, Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas, 12.5, $4,225. 5, Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla.,13.3, $3,320. 6, (tie) Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla.; Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas; and Ryan Rochitz, Pine Bluffs, Wyo., 13.4, $1,509 each.
(finals qualifiers) 1, Deckard. 2, Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas. 3, Poppino. 4, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., 5, Roger Nonella, Redmond, Ore., 6, Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, 7, Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 8, Ty Williams, Sulphur, Okla., 9, Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kansas. 10, Tuff Hardman. 11, Dalton Walker, Clyde, Texas. 12, Chris Pearson, Broken Bow, Neb.’
Local favorite Brody Cress of nearby Hillsdale won Semi Final 2 of saddle bronc riding at Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) with 89.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s horse Devils Advocate. He will be aiming for the CFD record books on Championship Sunday when he tries to become the only cowboy since CFD began in 1897 to win four saddle bronc riding titles. CFD photo by Laura Storey
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
Saddle bronc riding fans have been on the edge of their seats through all of Cheyenne Frontier Days and are in for a treat again today. The youngest boys in Cody Wright’s family, Stetson and Statler are both in the mix. Stetson needs to do well here to move inside the top 15 in the world standings.
Stetson is currently 15th in the world and Statler is 10th. Stetson needs to earn money to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in both of his events, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. Statler wants to be the second member of his family to earn a title at Frontier Park. Stetson was the all-around champion here in 2019, 2021 and 2023, the bull riding champ in 2019 and 2023 and saddle bronc in 2021 and 2022.
Brody Cress is also on a mission. The local favorite is hoping to become the first man in the history of events here to win four saddle bronc riding titles. The rodeo officially began in 1897, and saddle bronc riding was one of the first rodeo competitions held. Cress grew up right here in Laramie County and for him to win four titles would be amazing. He will need to be among the top six finishers today. Also watch for Ian McGivney from Kaycee who went to college in Cheyenne and Brody Wells from Powell who competed at his first NFR last December.
There are two former CFD champs in the bareback riding, Richmond Champion who won it in 2014 and Clay Jorgensen, the champion last year. They are going up against the world standings leader, Rocker Steiner and last year’s world champion, Dean Thompson.
Ernie Courson is always a crowd favorite in the bull riding. When he has a good ride, he will find a spot on the fence, climb up and do a back flip in the arena. He got to do that twice here, once during the rodeo and once during the Xtreme Bulls competition. Courson has been close to qualifying for the NFR, but injuries have kept him outside the top 15. A win here at Cheyenne could be life-changing for him. He is inside the top 50 and could move up significantly. Courson travels across the country with his family and has sons who want to follow in his footsteps.
No one wants to win a bull riding championship here any more than Trey Kimzey. His older brother, Sage, competed here for years and even though he won seven gold buckles for being the best, Sage never got to be on stage here. Clayton Sellars is also waiting for his first win here. He is 13th in the world standings and needs to stay among the top 15 to qualify for his fifth NFR. Sellars is bicoastal with a place in Florida and California. His wife, Billie, is saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman’s sister, and they have a baby boy named Pancho.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
Breakaway roping might be the toughest timed event of Semi Final 2. World number 1 Taylor Munsell who has qualified for every National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) since 2021 leads the field along with four-time and reigning world champion Kelsie Domer. Danielle Lowman, a proud member of the Navajo Nation who attended Dine College, has made three trips to the NFBR and five to the Indian National Finals Rodeo. She recently joined the PRCA so that she can compete in team roping in her circuit, an event she started competing in at age 10.
Also roping today are Maddy Deerman who is fifth in the standings, former high school champion Quincy Sullivan and three others ranked in the top 35. Sierra Spratt may live in Arizona now, but she is a Wyoming girl who grew up in Shoshone.
The tie-down roping features 2022 CFD co-champion Cory Solomon, an NFR veteran, and former world champion Tyson Durfey who is back in championship form after a short retirement. Recent high school graduate Kyan Wilhite was the National High School Champion last year.
Eli Lord won the CFD steer wrestling title in 2019 and proved that was no fluke by winning it again in 2023. Today’s roster also includes 2022 World Champion Jacob Edler and NFR veterans Tristan Martin and Riley Duvall. Duvall and his 20-year-old cousin Nathan, who both are competing today, are part of a steer wrestling dynasty that started in the 1960s with Riley’s grandfather Bill and his world champion great-uncle Roy. Roy who was CFD champion in 1967 with Bill as hazer.
Team roping will feature four former CFD champions, none of whom are roping with the same partner that they won with here before. The 2015 CFD champ Luke Brown is heading for 2019 CFD winner Trey Yates. 2018 champion heeler Joseph Harrison has teamed with fellow Oklahoman Bubba Buckaloo while 2023 champion header Billy Bob Brown is roping with fellow Texan Blaine Vick. Also in the field is Jeremy Buhler who was the first Canadian heeler to qualify for the NFR and the first to win a world championship. Buhler is roping with Aaron Tsinigine who was the first Navajo to earn a heading world title.
The barrel racing features three former CFD champions. Three-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi won the title here in 2007, the year she won her first world championship. Lisa Lockhart, who has more career earnings in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association than any other barrel racer, took home the championship package in 2015, and Shali Lord was co-champion with Nellie Miller during the infamous hailstorm on Championship Sunday in 2019. Tonozzi is second in the 2025 standings and Lockhart is 15th.
Emilee Pauley of Wall, South Dakota, is hoping the family success at the “Daddy of ‘em All” extends to barrel racing. Her father, Bud Pauley, won the saddle bronc riding at CFD in 1985 and her brother, Jesse Bail, won that event in 2011 in Frontier Park.
Semi Finals 1 of the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) ended Friday with half of the roster for Championship Sunday filled.
Wyoming bull rider Hayden Welsh of Gillette made the crowd cheer the loudest when he rode Korkow Rodeos’ bull named Salinas for 90.5 points. The 19-year-old son of seven-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) bull rider Bobby Welsh bested 17 other cowboys to win Semi Finals 1. He has a chance on Sunday to leave Frontier Park with the Welsh family’s first CFD championship.
Welsh wasn’t the only 19-year-old to rack up 90 points on Friday. Oklahoma’s Wacey Schalla dominated the bareback riding with his own 90-point ride on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s horse named Brazos.
Schalla, who is second in the world in both the all-around and bull riding standings, is 29th in the bareback riding world rankings. He would love to qualify for his second NFR in both events after debuting in the bull riding last year. He added $3,500 to his earnings Friday and a win on Sunday would give an even bigger boost to that goal.
Jordan Jo Hollabaugh is the “OG” of breakaway roping at Cheyenne Frontier Days since she won the championship the first time the event was held at Frontier Park in 2019. Then she was Jordan Jo Fabrizio and was wearing her now-husband Raymond Hollabaugh’s CFD champion buckle when she won her own. The next-to-last to rope in the semifinals, she took first with a time of 4.9 seconds.
Reigning world champion team ropers Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp were also next-to-last to rope and topped the field with a 9.3-second run. Wade won the championship here in 2019, roping with Dakota Kirchenschlager, but Thorp is trying to rope his first CFD title.
Riley Pruitt of Gering, Nebraska, won more than $5,000 in the qualifying round for CFD last week. While he didn’t match his qualifier time of 9.6 seconds, his 10.7 was the fastest since the rodeo performances started last Saturday and earned him another $5,200.
Pruitt, son of 1990 world champion Troy Pruitt, last qualified for the NFR in 2019. He boosted his chances to make a fourth trip to Las Vegas when he won the NFR Open in Colorado Springs last month and has continued to rope well since.
Three athletes who have had success at Frontier Park, but never broken through to the winners’ circle, won the semifinals in their specialties. Four-time world champion Zeke Thurston rode Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ horse named Kay’s Big Bay for 87.5 points to take the saddle bronc riding.
Justin Shaffer of Hallsville, Texas, qualified for his first NFR last year in steer wrestling and is ranked 17th now. He won the semifinal with a 5.9-second run. Emily Beisel of Weatherford, Oklahoma, has been to the NFR six times and has a stable of standout horses. This year at CFD she has ridden Vanilla Gorilla, an eight-year-old palomino that she calls Trigger. The horse that she raised is getting his first major rodeo experience at CFD this year. The duo won their quarter final with a 17.24 last Sunday and notched the win today with a 17.27.
Saturday’s Semi Final 2 features quarterfinal winners who did not compete on Friday and begins at 12:45 p.m. when the rest of the field for Championship Sunday will be decided. The end of competition and the crowning of the champion in Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding also happens on Saturday in Frontier Park.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 25, 2025)- The following are unofficial results from the Semi Finals (seventh performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Friday, July 25. Payoff subject to change.
Bareback Riding: 1, Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., 90 points on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Brazos, $3,518. 2, Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan., 88.5, $2,665. 3, (tie) Mason Stuller, Veneta, Ore.; Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont.; and Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb.; 87, $1,279 each. 6, Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La., 86.5, $533.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb., 10.7 seconds, $5,200. 2, Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 11.7, $4,300. 3, John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, 12.4, $3,400. 4, Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla., 12.6, $2,500. 5, Tom Simpson, Malad, Idaho, 12.7, $1,600. 6, Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash., 15.0, $900.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Jordan Hollabaugh, Pueblo, Colo., 4.9 seconds, $6,510. 2, Hannah Giger, Wilburton, Okla., 5.1, $4,932. 3, Jacee Currin, Heppner, Ore., 5.2, $3,551. 4, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M., 5.5, $2,367. 5, Rylee George, Oakdale, Calif., 5.6, $1,381. 6, Shawnee Sherwood, Coolidge, Ariz., 6.0, $986.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, 87.5 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Kay’s Big Boy, $3,416. 2, Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, 86.5, $2,588. 3, Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont., 84.5, $1,242. 5, Weston Patterson, Waverly, Kan., 83.4, $725. 6, Q McWhorter, Petrolia, Calif., and Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, 82, $259 each.
Team Roping: 1, Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and Wesley Thorp, Stephenville, Texas, 9.3 seconds, $5,200 each. 2, (tie) Devon Johnson, Red Oak, Texas, and Zane Pratt, Congress, Ariz.; and Blaine Turner, Batesville, Ark., and Ethan Cory, Hico, Texas, 9.8, $3,850 each. 4, Justin Young, Phoenix, Ariz., and Talon Salazar, Gill, Colo., 10.2, $2,500 each. 5, Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala., and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 10.3, $1,500 each. 6, Kash Bonnett, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, and Logan Cullen, Courtenay, B.C., Canada, 10.4, $900.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 5.9, $4,060. 2, Mason Couch, Bronaugh, Mo., 6.6, $3,360. 3, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 7.5, $2,660. 4, Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La., 7.7, $1,960. 5, Paul Melvin, Paradise, Texas, 7.8, $1,260. 6, Talon Roseland, Marshalltown, Iowa, 8.0, $700.
Barrel Racing: 1, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.27 seconds, $5,410. 2, Bryanna Haluptzok, Ardmore, Okla., 17.32, $4,477. 3, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.33, $3,544. 4, Carlee Otero, Perrin, Texas, 17.35, $2,611. 5, Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 17.43, $1,679. 6, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.44, $933.
Bull Riding: 1, Hayden Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 90.5 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Salinas, $3,441. 2, Colton Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo., 88.5, $2,607. 3, Hayes Weight, Goshen, Utah, 87, $1,877. 4, (tie) Jestyn Woodward, Custer, S.D., and Dakota Warnken, Wakarusa, Ind., 84, $991 each. 6, Andy Guzman, Oakdale, Calif., 83, $521.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding (first round winners): 1, Jasper Frost, Browns Valley, Calif, 83 points on Smith Pro Rodeos A30, $1,242. 2, Izaah Bartels, New Underwood, S.D., 81, $941. 3, Logan Nunn, Lovell, Wyo., 79.5, $677. 4, (tie) Rope Roghair, Isabel, S.D., and Josue Molina, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, 79, $359 each. 5, Mitchell Story, Bayfield, Colo., 77.5, $188. (second round leaders) 1, Molina, 80 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s 158. 2, Tayson Jones, Howes, S.D., 79. 3, Tag Moses, Keenesburg, Colo., 76.5. 4, Eastan West, New Underwood, S.D., 76. 5, Devin Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 75. 6, Nunn, 74. (overall leaders) 1, Molina, 159. 2, (tie) Nunn and Moses, 153.5 each. 4, Regan Lyons, Snyder, Texas, 150.5, 5, Easton West, New Underwood, S.D., 149. 6, Roghair, 146.
Wild Horse Race: 1, Young Gunz, $600. 2, Gotta Go, $450. 3, Buntin Pump, $300. 4, Turquoise Rose, $150.
Hayden Welsh, a 19-year-old from Gillette, Wyoming, is quickly becoming a crowd favorite at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Welsh, whose father qualified for the National Finals Rodeo seven times, scored 90.5 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Salinas to win Semi Finals 1 and advance to Sunday’s championship. CFD photo by Click Thompson