CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 23, 2023 — Cheyenne Frontier Days is known for taking rodeo contestants out of their comfort zones.

Frontier Days boasts a big arena and animals have a lot of ground to cover. Nowhere is that more evident than in the timed events and it often takes a “never quit” mentality to get the job done. No one knows that better than Kyle Whitaker who has been a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1995. Whitaker moved to the top of the leaderboard in steer wrestling with a 7.1-second run and is moving onto the Semi Finals.

The Nebraska native has been coming to Cheyenne nearly every year since then and in the early days would also enter the tie-down roping and saddle bronc riding. His prowess in rough stock and timed events has earned him the prestigious Linderman Award a record six times.

Now when he competes, he specializes in steer wrestling and that paid off for him here. He now lives in Bozeman, Montana, where he works as the rodeo coach at Montana State University. If his success here continues, he could win his first championship at the “Daddy of ‘em All.”

Tuesday’s saddle bronc riding competition was extremely competitive with a star-studded field, but the riders had their challenges in the big arena as well. Shorty Garrett, from Eagle Butte, South Dakota,  ended up at the top of the board with 85.5-point ride on his second horse of the day. He got on a re-ride after an equipment failure and made the best of it. His success came aboard Stace Smith Rodeo’s horse named Levi the Boss.

Lefty Holman from Visalia, California, and Orin Larsen from Inglis, Manitoba, both kept their momentum going here. Last Sunday, Holman was crowned bareback champion and Larsen won the saddle bronc riding at California Rodeo Salinas. They both will be advancing to the Semi Finals here after finishing second in their respective events.

The bareback riding winner was Bill Tutor from Huntsville, Texas, who has one Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification to his credit. Tutor was one-half point ahead of Larsen at 85 on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Cracked Pepper. Larsen also won the bareback riding in Frontier Park in 2016.

Taycie Matthews from Wynne, Arkansas is another Salinas champion who competed here today. The reigning National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion is loving being in Wyoming again. She won her college title in Casper last month. Matthews, who is a junior at the University of West Alabama, was 11th in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings in mid-July and is hoping to secure her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification. A win here would certainly help her do that.

Quarter Finals 5 begins on Wednesday at 12:45 where new contestants in every event will be vying for their spots in the Semi Finals.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 25, 2023)- The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (fourth performance) and Semi Finals qualifiers at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Tuesday, July 25. Payoff subject to change.

Bareback Riding: 1, Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas, 85 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Cracked Pepper, $2,448. 2, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, Canada, 84.5, $1,836. 3, Brayze Schill, West Columbia, Texas, 83, $1,224. 4, Donny Proffit, Diamondville, Wyo., 80.5, $612.

Breakaway Roping: 1, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas., 3.5 seconds, $2.901. 2, Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, 4.1, $2,176. 3, Willow Wilson, Baggs, Wyo., 4.7, $1,450. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas,  5.1, $725.

Tie Down Roping: 1, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 9.9 seconds, $2,000. 2, Jake Pratt, Ellensberg, Wash., 10.4, $1,500. 3, Shad Mayfield, Lipan, Texas, 10.6, , $1,000. 4, Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, $500.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 88.5 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Levi The Boss, $ 2,354 . 2, Stu Wright, Coalville, Utah, 85., $1,766 . 3, Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., 84 points, $1,177 . 4, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 82, $589.

Team Roping: 1, Lane Goebel, Marshall, Minn., and J.W. Beck, Moville, Iowa, 8.3 seconds, $2,000 each; 2, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah, 9.4 seconds, $1,500 each. 3, Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla., and Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas, 8.9, $1,000 each. 4, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Kirby Blankenship, Lampasas, Texas, 9.6, $500 each.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Kyle Whitaker, Bozeman, Mont., 7.1 seconds, $2,000. 2, Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, Canada,  7.5, $1,500. 3, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 8.0, $1,000. 4, Logan Wiseman, Paola, Kan., 8.5, $500.

Barrel Racing: 1, Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark., 17.70 seconds, $2,413. 2, Jessi Fish, Washington, Texas, 17.77, $1,810. 3, Merritt Potter, Moody, Texas, 17.89, $1,206. 4, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.93, $603.

Bull Riding: 1, Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla., 87 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Smokin Hot, $2,977. 2, Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 86, $1,798. 3, Maverick Potter, Waxahatchie, Texas, 85.5, $1,199. 4, Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D., 84, $599. Other Semi Finals qualifiers: Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 82, and Connor Murnion, Jordan, Mont., 78.5.

The following events do not have Semi Finals.

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Cauy Masters, Leon, Iowa, 79 points. 2, Caleb Newell, Goodwell, Okla., 78, 3, Blake Steuck, Hume, Mo., 75. 4, Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb., 65.

Wild Horse Race: 1, Kenny Electric, $550. 2, Mo Green, Inc., $412.50, 3, Team Nowland, $275.

CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 26, 2023 — It was a good day for contestants named Sage at the fifth performance of the 127th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD).

And for the two guys in the performance that carry the name of a prolific sagebrush plant, every day is a good day to be Sage. The excitement for them started when seven-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey rode a previously unridden bull early in the rodeo.

Kimzey, from Salado, Texas, got on a bull named Red Demon owned by Universal Pro Rodeo that had been previously unridden in five attempts. That changed today at Frontier Park when Kimzey had the high score of the day at 91.5 points. He is now advancing to the Semi Finals with hopes to move on to Sunday’s Championship Finals and have a chance to ride for his first Cheyenne Frontier Days championship.

Kimzey is currently fourth in the world standings and is headed to his ninth Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December. Growing up in Oklahoma, Kimzey set a goal of beating Don Gay’s record of eight world titles. He is getting closer with every bull ride.

Sage Newman has quickly become one of the best saddle bronc riders in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The Melstone, Montana, cowboy has qualified for the NFR twice and is headed to his third. The world standings leader, Newman rode a Wyoming bucking horse owned by Summit Pro Rodeo to win Quarter Finals 5. When the judges added up their scores, Newman and the horse named Legend combined for 85.5 points. He is also headed to the Semi Finals and will be riding for his first CFD title.

A new star in bareback riding showed fans here just why he is third in the world at Frontier Park on Wednesday. Kade Sonnier from Carenco, Louisiana, scored 84 points on United Pro Rodeo’s horse, Joan Jett to win the day. Sonnier competed at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming last month and finished as the reserve champion for McNeese State University. Earlier this month, he had the biggest win of his career when he earned the championship at the Calgary Stampede. A win here in Cheyenne would rank right up there with that feat.

The breakaway roping went to Cassidy Boggs from Stephenville, Texas. She grew up in Oklahoma and  has her master’s degree in business. Along with roping, she runs her own digital marketing business. Boggs stopped the clock in 4.0 seconds today and will be roping again in the Semi Finals.

Rain that came through midway through the rodeo made less than favorable conditions for the steer wrestlers, but great entertainment for the fans. The fastest time of the day went to Kodie Jang who now lives in Morgan Mill, Texas, but will always call Australia home. Jang brought his steer to the ground in 6.5 seconds for the win. If he keeps it up and gets the win on Sunday, he will be the second member of his extended family to win here. His father-in-law Leon Vick was the champion at Frontier Park in 1998.

Quarter Finals 6 begins on Thursday at 12:45 when fans will watch the final group of contestants aiming to advance to the Semi Finals.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 26, 2023)- The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (fifth performance) and Semi Finals qualifiers at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Wednesday, July 25. Payoff subject to change.

Bareback Riding: 1, Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La., 85 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Joan Jett, $2,448. 2, Jacek Frost, Browns Valley, Calif., 82.5, $1,836. 3, Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo., 81, $1,224. 4, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calf., 80.5, $612.

Breakaway Roping: 1, Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, Texas., 4.0 seconds, $2.901. 2, Tibba Smith, Hobbs, N.M., 4.2, $2,176. 3, Shayla Hall, Belle Fourche, S.D., 4.4, $1,450. 4, Chenoa Vandestouwe, Weatherford, Okla.,  4.8, $725.

Tie Down Roping: 1, Catfish Brown, Denton, Texas, 11.5 seconds, $2,000. 2, Quaid Hiatt, Canyon, Texas, 11.9, $1,500. 3, Cole Tierney, Broken Bow, Nebraska, 12.1, , $1,000. 4, Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif., 12.2, $500.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 85.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Legend, $ 2,354 . 2, Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La., 84.5, $1,766 . 3, Will Pollock, Utopia, Texas, 84 points, $1,177 . 4, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 83.5, $589.

Team Roping: 1, Kevin Daniel, Franklin, Tenn., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 7.6 seconds, $2,000 each; 2, Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas, , 7.9, $1,500 each. 3, Dustin Eguesquiza, Marianna, Fla., and Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D., 8.2, $1,000 each. 4, (tie) Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil;  and Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas, 8.4, $250 each.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Kodie Jang, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 6.5 seconds, $2,000. 2, Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho,  7.5, $1,500. 3, Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas, 7.7, $1,000. 4, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 8.8, $500.

Barrel Racing: 1, Sharon Harrell, Wickenberg, Ariz., 18.14 seconds, $2,413. 2, Tarryn Lee, St. David, Ariz., 18.23, $1,810. 3, Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., 18.27, $1,206. 4, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Texas, 18.43, $603.

Bull Riding: 1, Sage Kimzey, Salado, Texas, 91.5 points on Universal Pro Rodeo’s Red Demon 78, $2,397. 2, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah., 90, $1,798. 3, Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Queensland, Australia, 87, $1,199. 4, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 86, $599.

The following events do not have Semi Finals.

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, (tie) Isaac Richard, Eunice, La., and Slade Keith, Stanfield, Ariz.,  78 points. 3, Dahlyn Thomas, Woodward, Okla., 75. 4, Cody Weeks, Malad, Idaho, 69.

Wild Horse Race: 1, Billy Scharton Team, $550. 2, NDN Outlaw, $413. 3, Cowboy Chaos, $275. 4, Wagon Burners, $138.

Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding

To win the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the stars have to align, and everything has to come together in a contestant’s favor. No one knows that more than Kaycee Feild. The Utah cowboy joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2007 and has been coming here nearly every year since to compete in the bareback riding.

In 2020 he became one of the greatest bareback riders of all time when he tied with Joe Alexander for the most world titles at five. The next year when he won his sixth, he became the G.O.A.T. of the event. And he is far from being done. He is currently 8th in the world standings and is very likely to qualify for his 14th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. One of the things missing from his legendary title is a win at the “Daddy of ‘Em All.” Feild will be trying to change that today.

Another of rodeo’s great bareback riders and one that is very familiar with winning here is Will Lowe. Lowe’s career includes three wins here in 2009, 2012 and 2018. And while he is on the downhill side of his career, he just won the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, showing his young competitors what it’s like to love getting on bucking horses for the long haul. Also look for Tanner Aus who was the 2015 CFD champ.

Yesterday, seven-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey had an outstanding ride for the win. He is hoping for a repeat, but Stetson Wright and Ky Hamilton both want to see their names at the top of the leaderboard. Wright was also successful on Wednesday, but Hamilton, who was the 2021 champion here, needs a score to advance to the Semi Finals. So does last year’s champion Brady Portenier. They all get their second opportunity today.

A couple of college champions highlight today’s saddle bronc riders. Shea Fournier from Raceland, Louisiana won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Championship in 2022 for McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Damian Brennan from Injune, Queensland tied for the win last June to get the title for Western Texas College.

Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing

Breakaway Roping is definitely the fastest event at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo and it will be tough on Thursday. Along with many-time world champion Jackie Crawford, there are several National Finals Breakaway Roping Qualifiers. Crawford has led the charge to have breakaway a part of rodeos and has helped with the increased popularity. It’s been part of CFD three times and these women are leaving their mark here. Watch for Kelsie Domer, Cheyanne Guillory, and Danielle Lowman to all take chances to be fast.

Last year, Cheyenne’s rodeo made a big difference for Leslie Smalygo’s season and she needs that to happen again. While she didn’t win first, she earned enough at Frontier Park to secure her first NFR qualification. Fans will remember she dyed her hair red because she needed to “run like my hair was on fire.” The strategy worked and that became her trademark for the rest of the season.

Smalygo finished second behind Andrea Busby a year ago and will compete against her today. And never count out Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday “Sister.” The four-time world champion and 2021 champion here will be the final barrel racer to have an opportunity to advance to the Semi Finals.

Shane Hanchey, the 2018 CFD and former world champion, comes to Frontier Park fresh from a big win on Sunday at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. He’s notched some big wins this summer and would love to add another Cheyenne win to his trophy case. 2017 World Champion Marcos Costa is currently just outside the top 20 in the standings and doing well here could help boost the Brazilian to his fifth NFR.

Keep your eye out for anyone named Bridger in the steer wrestling. North Dakota’s Bridger Anderson is aiming for his second NFR and is currently ranked in the top 10 while Montana’s Bridger Chambers is just outside the top 20. He’s been to two NFRs and runs a business training drug dogs with his father. Don’t overlook reigning CFD co-champion Justin Shaffer or Louisiana’s Remey Parrott, whose brother Rowdy won his Quarter Finals earlier this week.

Today’s team roping features a pair of former CFD champion headers – Eric Rogers, who won here in 2017 the same year he won his world title, and Tyler Wade who was the 2016 champ. Rogers, who’s been to 11 NFRs and is currently ranked ninth, will rope with two-time world champion heeler Paul Eaves who’s looking for his first CFD title. Wade has been to five NFRs and is ranked 23rd. He’ll rope with 2019 world champion heeler Wesley Thorp who has made seven trips to the NFR. Regional favorites Kellan and Carson Johnson of Casper won the 2022 college national championship representing Casper College’s team coached by their dad Jhett.

Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding

To win the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the stars have to align, and everything has to come together in a contestant’s favor. No one knows that more than Kaycee Feild. The Utah cowboy joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2007 and has been coming here nearly every year since to compete in the bareback riding.

In 2020 he became one of the greatest bareback riders of all time when he tied with Joe Alexander for the most world titles at five. The next year when he won his sixth, he became the G.O.A.T. of the event. And he is far from being done. He is currently 8th in the world standings and is very likely to qualify for his 14th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. One of the things missing from his legendary title is a win at the “Daddy of ‘Em All.” Feild will be trying to change that today.

Another of rodeo’s great bareback riders and one that is very familiar with winning here is Will Lowe. Lowe’s career includes three wins here in 2009, 2012 and 2018. And while he is on the downhill side of his career, he just won the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, showing his young competitors what it’s like to love getting on bucking horses for the long haul. Also look for Tanner Aus who was the 2015 CFD champ.

Yesterday, seven-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey had an outstanding ride for the win. He is hoping for a repeat, but Stetson Wright and Ky Hamilton both want to see their names at the top of the leaderboard. Wright was also successful on Wednesday, but Hamilton, who was the 2021 champion here, needs a score to advance to the Semi Finals. So does last year’s champion Brady Portenier. They all get their second opportunity today.

A couple of college champions highlight today’s saddle bronc riders. Shea Fournier from Raceland, Louisiana won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Championship in 2022 for McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Damian Brennan from Injune, Queensland tied for the win last June to get the title for Western Texas College.

Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing

Breakaway Roping is definitely the fastest event at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo and it will be tough on Thursday. Along with many-time world champion Jackie Crawford, there are several National Finals Breakaway Roping Qualifiers. Crawford has led the charge to have breakaway a part of rodeos and has helped with the increased popularity. It’s been part of CFD three times and these women are leaving their mark here. Watch for Kelsie Domer, Cheyanne Guillory, and Danielle Lowman to all take chances to be fast.

Last year, Cheyenne’s rodeo made a big difference for Leslie Smalygo’s season and she needs that to happen again. While she didn’t win first, she earned enough at Frontier Park to secure her first NFR qualification. Fans will remember she dyed her hair red because she needed to “run like my hair was on fire.” The strategy worked and that became her trademark for the rest of the season.

Smalygo finished second behind Andrea Busby a year ago and will compete against her today. And never count out Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday “Sister.” The four-time world champion and 2021 champion here will be the final barrel racer to have an opportunity to advance to the Semi Finals.

Shane Hanchey, the 2018 CFD and former world champion, comes to Frontier Park fresh from a big win on Sunday at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. He’s notched some big wins this summer and would love to add another Cheyenne win to his trophy case. 2017 World Champion Marcos Costa is currently just outside the top 20 in the standings and doing well here could help boost the Brazilian to his fifth NFR.

Keep your eye out for anyone named Bridger in the steer wrestling. North Dakota’s Bridger Anderson is aiming for his second NFR and is currently ranked in the top 10 while Montana’s Bridger Chambers is just outside the top 20. He’s been to two NFRs and runs a business training drug dogs with his father. Don’t overlook reigning CFD co-champion Justin Shaffer or Louisiana’s Remey Parrott, whose brother Rowdy won his Quarter Finals earlier this week.

Today’s team roping features a pair of former CFD champion headers – Eric Rogers, who won here in 2017 the same year he won his world title, and Tyler Wade who was the 2016 champ. Rogers, who’s been to 11 NFRs and is currently ranked ninth, will rope with two-time world champion heeler Paul Eaves who’s looking for his first CFD title. Wade has been to five NFRs and is ranked 23rd. He’ll rope with 2019 world champion heeler Wesley Thorp who has made seven trips to the NFR. Regional favorites Kellan and Carson Johnson of Casper won the 2022 college national championship representing Casper College’s team coached by their dad Jhett.

Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding

To win the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the stars have to align, and everything has to come together in a contestant’s favor. No one knows that more than Kaycee Feild. The Utah cowboy joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2007 and has been coming here nearly every year since to compete in the bareback riding.

In 2020 he became one of the greatest bareback riders of all time when he tied with Joe Alexander for the most world titles at five. The next year when he won his sixth, he became the G.O.A.T. of the event. And he is far from being done. He is currently 8th in the world standings and is very likely to qualify for his 14th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. One of the things missing from his legendary title is a win at the “Daddy of ‘Em All.” Feild will be trying to change that today.

Another of rodeo’s great bareback riders and one that is very familiar with winning here is Will Lowe. Lowe’s career includes three wins here in 2009, 2012 and 2018. And while he is on the downhill side of his career, he just won the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, showing his young competitors what it’s like to love getting on bucking horses for the long haul. Also look for Tanner Aus who was the 2015 CFD champ.

Yesterday, seven-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey had an outstanding ride for the win. He is hoping for a repeat, but Stetson Wright and Ky Hamilton both want to see their names at the top of the leaderboard. Wright was also successful on Wednesday, but Hamilton, who was the 2021 champion here, needs a score to advance to the Semi Finals. So does last year’s champion Brady Portenier. They all get their second opportunity today.

A couple of college champions highlight today’s saddle bronc riders. Shea Fournier from Raceland, Louisiana won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Championship in 2022 for McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Damian Brennan from Injune, Queensland tied for the win last June to get the title for Western Texas College. Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing

Breakaway Roping is definitely the fastest event at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo and it will be tough on Thursday. Along with many-time world champion Jackie Crawford, there are several National Finals Breakaway Roping Qualifiers. Crawford has led the charge to have breakaway a part of rodeos and has helped with the increased popularity. It’s been part of CFD three times and these women are leaving their mark here. Watch for Kelsie Domer, Cheyanne Guillory, and Danielle Lowman to all take chances to be fast.

Last year, Cheyenne’s rodeo made a big difference for Leslie Smalygo’s season and she needs that to happen again. While she didn’t win first, she earned enough at Frontier Park to secure her first NFR qualification. Fans will remember she dyed her hair red because she needed to “run like my hair was on fire.” The strategy worked and that became her trademark for the rest of the season.

Smalygo finished second behind Andrea Busby a year ago and will compete against her today. And never count out Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday “Sister.” The four-time world champion and 2021 champion here will be the final barrel racer to have an opportunity to advance to the Semi Finals.

Shane Hanchey, the 2018 CFD and former world champion, comes to Frontier Park fresh from a big win on Sunday at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. He’s notched some big wins this summer and would love to add another Cheyenne win to his trophy case. 2017 World Champion Marcos Costa is currently just outside the top 20 in the standings and doing well here could help boost the Brazilian to his fifth NFR.

Keep your eye out for anyone named Bridger in the steer wrestling. North Dakota’s Bridger Anderson is aiming for his second NFR and is currently ranked in the top 10 while Montana’s Bridger Chambers is just outside the top 20. He’s been to two NFRs and runs a business training drug dogs with his father. Don’t overlook reigning CFD co-champion Justin Shaffer or Louisiana’s Remey Parrott, whose brother Rowdy won his Quarter Finals earlier this week.

Today’s team roping features a pair of former CFD champion headers – Eric Rogers, who won here in 2017 the same year he won his world title, and Tyler Wade who was the 2016 champ. Rogers, who’s been to 11 NFRs and is currently ranked ninth, will rope with two-time world champion heeler Paul Eaves who’s looking for his first CFD title. Wade has been to five NFRs and is ranked 23rd. He’ll rope with 2019 world champion heeler Wesley Thorp who has made seven trips to the NFR. Regional favorites Kellan and Carson Johnson of Casper won the 2022 college national championship representing Casper College’s team coached by their dad Jhett.