July 18-27, 2025

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WATCH: Barrel Racing Qualifier

A mother of four from a town of 80 people in South Dakota set a new barrel racing arena record Wednesday at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Summer Kosel and her horse Apollo finished the big arena pattern in 17.02 seconds to win the qualifying round that trimmed the field from more than 190 barrel racers to 72. Kosel has never been to ‘The Daddy’ and came this year at the urging of a friend. She beat the previous Frontier Park time by one one-hundredth of a second.

WATCH: Breakaway Qualifier

Sundance, Wyoming’s Peggy Garman set a breakaway roping record at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Wednesday morning with a three-second flat run. She won the wild card round in which just twelve of 140 ropers advanced to afternoon performances starting Saturday at ‘The Daddy.’ Garman is an alum of Casper College where she spent two years on the rodeo team. It may be some time before a smile leaves her face.

WATCH: Steer Wrestling Qualifier

The Etbauer name has been synonymous with success at Cheyenne Frontier Days because a trio of Oklahoma saddle-bronc riding brothers ruled the roost for a long time. Robert Etbauer’s son Trell is a bit stouter, and he wrestles steers. Etbauer was faster than 130 of his bulldogging pals in qualifier Round 1 competition at ‘The Daddy’ Tuesday with a run of 5.7 seconds.

WATCH: Tie Down Roping Qualifier

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.

WATCH: Team Roping Qualifier

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.

WATCH: Buckin’ Horse Roundup

Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo qualifying rounds see new records

PICK UP MAN INITIATIVE COMBATS SUICIDE

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 21, 2022) – Cheyenne Frontier Days is tackling suicide awareness and prevention with a new campaign aimed at individuals attending and participating in “Daddy of ‘em All” events. They have enlisted the help of country music star Garth Brooks in promoting a campaign built around the role of the rodeo Pick Up Man in the arena.

The campaign encourages people to “reach out to a Pick Up Man or be a Pick Up Man for someone in need.” People contemplating suicide are directed to the new nationwide 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline. Individuals who see friends, family members, or neighbors struggling with mental health are encouraged to reach out.

“Our western culture of independence and self-reliance may inhibit people from seeking help, or people from offering help,” Tom Hirsig, CFD CEO said. “In rodeo, we call the pick up man a lifesaver in the arena. Every cowboy knows the pick up man is out there to help, to give a hand. And the athletes do not hesitate to reach out for help. We want everyone to use that example in their lives.”

A public service video featuring Garth Brooks will be played during rodeo and night show performances. The video was recorded at the request of and specifically for the CFD Pick up Man campaign. “Words cannot express our deep appreciation to Garth Books for his assistance in this important effort,” Hirsig said.

The campaign acknowledges that suicide rates in the Rocky Mountain West are among the highest in the nation. The CFD effort is intended to raise awareness and places a priority on connecting individuals to the national hotline, where appropriate counseling can be provided.

CFD will be selling “Pick Up Man” hat feathers and necklaces with as part of the campaign with net proceeds being given to local suicide prevention efforts.

July 16 the Unofficial Start of CFD

The unofficial start of Cheyenne Frontier Days will kick off July 16 with rodeo qualifiers. The Daddy of ‘em All Rodeo is a modified, tournament-style format. Timed events will have qualifying rounds to make it into the rodeo performances beginning July 23. Rodeo qualifiers are free to the public.

Qualifying Schedule:

  • July 16 at 8 a.m. — Steer Roping. Top 12 advance to Finals Sunday.
  • July 17 at 8 a.m. — Team Roping. Top 72 advance to rodeo performances.
  • July 18 at 8 a.m. — Tie Down Roping. Top 72 advance to rodeo performances.
  • July 19 at 8 a.m. — Steer Wrestling & Women’s Breakaway Roping. Top 72 advance to rodeo performances.
  • July 20 at 7 a.m. — Women’s Breakaway Roping & Barrel Racing. Top 72 advance to rodeo performances.

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