CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 20, 2024 — Garrett Shadbolt, who is in the midst of his most successful regular season in his professional rodeo career, continued on the winning path by winning Quarterfinals 1 at the 128^th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. The Merriman, Nebraska, cowboy scored 85.5 points on the powerful bucking horse named Big Apple from United Pro Rodeo to advance to next week’s Semifinals.

Shadbolt, a father of two, qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2021 and 2022, but missed qualifying last year and is on a mission to return to Las Vegas in December.

He is a graduate of Doane University in Crete, Nebraska, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and lettered in wrestling for four seasons.

Wyoming fans had plenty to cheer for in breakaway roping. Taylour Latham of Cheyenne won the day’s Quarterfinal with a time of 4.6 seconds, just one-tenth of a second faster than Jordyn McNamee of Laramie. Latham is a former standout on both the Gillette College and the University of Wyoming’s rodeo teams where she competed in multiple events. She graduated from the University of Wyoming in May. Both teams helped her get in some practice runs this week.

She estimated that she had not entered a rodeo in the breakaway in about 18 months but cracked out at Cheyenne, which she still claims as home although she now lives in Texas.

The highest score of the day was in saddle bronc riding where Melstone, Montana’s Sage Newman scored 89 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Ropin Dreams to win Quarterfinals 1. Newman is currently ranked third in the world championship standings and well on his way to a fourth consecutive NFR.

Newman is one of three bronc riders in a tight race for second in the standings and within striking distance of current leader Damian Brennen of Australia. Newman has a chance to gain ground on Brennan who bucked off and will not have another opportunity to win a share of the $1 million plus purse at the Daddy of ‘em All.

Quarter Finals 2 begins on Sunday at 12:45 where new contestants in every event but bull riding will be vying for their spots in the Semi Finals.

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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 20, 2024)- The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (first performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Saturday, July 20. Payoff subject to change.

Bareback Riding: 1, Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., 85.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Big Apple, $2,448. 2, Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 82.5, $1,836. 3, Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas, 81.5, $1,224, 4, Trevar McAllister, Roman, Mont., 80.5, $612.

Breakaway Roping: 1, Taylour Latham, Cheyenne, Wyo., 4.6 seconds, $2, 960. 2, Jordyn McNamee, Laramie, Wyo., 4.7, $2,220. 3, Shelby Whiting, Paola, Kan., 5.2, $1,480. 4, Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas, 5.7, $740.

Tie Down Roping: 1, Chantz Webster, Weatherford, Texas, 11.7 seconds, $2,000. 2, Dontae Pacheco, Blanco, N.M., $1,500. 3, Ryan Thibodeaux, Stephenville, Texas, 14.0. 4, (tie) Cash Enderli, Liberty, Texas; and Jason Schaffer, Broadus, Mont., $250 each.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 89 points, $2,354. 2, Kolby Wanchuk, Glenwood Park, Alberta, Canada, 88,  $1,766. 3, Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont., 86.5, $589.

Team Roping: 1, (tie)  Casey Ahlstrom, Ault, Colo., and Riley Pedro, Honolulu, Hawaii; and Jared Gonzales, Eloy, Ariz., and Paul Brashears, Casa Grande, Ariz, 9.6 seconds, $1,625 each.   3, Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, S.D., and Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D., 10.0, $1,250 each. 4, Cole Thomas, Meadville, Miss., and Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah, 10.3, $500 each.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Jay Williamson, Weatherford, Texas, 6.0 seconds, $2,000. 2, Tyler Scheevel, Alva, Okla., 6.5, $1,500. 3, Jace Logan, Yampa, Colo., 7.7, $1,000 . 4 (tie) , Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore., and Gus McGinn, Hanes, Ore., 8.2, $250 each.

Barrel Racing: 1, LaTricia Duke, Zephyr, Texas, 17.16 seconds, $2,471. 2, Sage Kohr, Gillette, Wyo., 17.18, $1,854. 3, (tie) Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas; and Lindsay Sears, Lipan, Texas, 17.31, $927.

Bull Riding:  1,  Brandon Ballard, New Hope, Ky., 83 points on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co.’s Rondo, $2380. 2, Wilson Tipton, Jackson, Wyo., 78.5, $1,785. 3, Grayson Cole, Fredonia, Pa., $1,190. 4, Cannon Cravens, Porum, Okla., 66, $595.

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, (tie)  Hank Whitaker, Deeth, Nev., and Clint Read, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, 79 points. 3, Skinny Parsons, Springdale, Ark., 78. 4, Josue Molina, Pampa, Texas, 74.

Wild Horse Race: 1, Team Headless Horseman, $600. 2, 3 of a Kind, $450. 3, Team Nowland, $300.

What’s it like to be Miss Frontier? Find out as host Mariah Johnson, Indian Committee Chairman, welcomes Jordan Johnson, Miss Frontier 2023, and Rachelle Hayes Zimmerman, Miss Frontier 1993, to share the highlights from their individual reigns… including advice for those Miss Frontier hopefuls listening today! 

Stories are the heart of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), and sharing them with one another is as rich a tradition as our event itself. 

From nostalgic looks back at where CFD has been, to exciting conversations about where we’re going next,
you’ll hear it all first—right here on the Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days, recorded live in historic Cheyenne, Wyoming! 

Cheyenne Frontier Days has decided not to pursue a proposal to host parimutuel horse racing at Frontier Park. The proposal from Accel Entertainment offered to lease and make substantial upgrades to CFD’s infrastructure and facilities in return for CFD agreeing to host 16 days of live horse racing at Frontier Park.

The proposal to bring parimutuel horse racing back to Cheyenne was met with passionate opposition from neighbors and others concerned about issues related to noise, traffic, gambling and negative reports about animal safety at other horse racing venues. If CFD had decided to move forward, the proposal still would have needed approval from the Laramie County Commissioners, the Wyoming State Gaming Commission, and the Cheyenne City Council.

“A lot of people don’t realize that unlike many other sports venues, we are not subsidized by taxpayers. We rely entirely on privately generated revenue,” said Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig. “It’s our responsibility to consider reasonable options that could allow us to remain a premier bucket list event that draws hundreds of thousands to Cheyenne every year.”

CFD officials estimate needing in excess of $150 million over the next 20 years to repair or replace Chute 9, the aging west side grandstands, restroom facilities, and other areas that need upgrades. Revenue from horse racing could have contributed to addressing those needs, but the organization will now look for other potential options.

“We have always managed to meet big challenges by working with our community to arrive at creative solutions,” said Hirsig. “Cheyenne is our home and we take great pride in the CFD brand. We are committed to continue delivering a world class show that preserves and promotes Cheyenne’s history, culture and tradition.”

About Cheyenne Frontier Days

Since 1897, Cheyenne has celebrated its Old West roots with this eye-popping festival. The centerpiece of this Western celebration is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, which draws top professionals who compete for more than $1 million in cash and prizes. Complementing the daily rodeo action are behind-the-chutes tours, trick riding and a wild-horse race. A Native American Village, an old frontier town, a saloon, dancing, a chuck wagon cook-off, pancake breakfasts and an art show carry through the frontier theme. Rounding out the program are a carnival midway, an air show, top-name entertainment, professional bull riding shows and several parades that include antique carriages and automobiles. Cheyenne Frontier Days takes place each summer during the last full week in July.

Rodeo, PBR, Carnival Armbands, and Gift Cards on sale December 7

Cheyenne Frontier Days^™ (CFD) will put tickets for the 2024 event on sale December 7. Tickets for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Last Cowboy Standing, Carnival Armbands and Gift Cards (redeemable for tickets or merchandise) will go on sale.

Tickets go on sale December 7 at 9 a.m. MT at www.cfdrodeo.com, and by calling (307) 778-7222.

Cheyenne Frontier Days will celebrate the Year of the Cowgirl to recognize the contributions of women to the American Frontier and Western culture. A bronze dedication is planned for Frontier Park to support this theme next summer.

The 128th annual “Daddy of ‘em All^®” will feature nine days of fast-paced PRCA and WPRA rodeo culminating in Championship Sunday where champions are crowned, and legends are made.

PBR Last Cowboy Standing features one of the most exciting competition formats in Western sports, showcasing the world’s top bull riders in a five-round ride-survive-and-advance format.

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

Daily rodeo tickets range from $24 – $51, with VIP at additional cost. A $3 discount is offered on rodeo tickets purchased before July 1. PBR tickets range from $25 – $105. Carnival Armbands will be $40 per session or $150 for all 10 days.

Cheyenne Frontier Days partners with AXS, a global leader in ticketing for the entertainment world. 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 2024.

Artist Announcements are coming in March 2024. For the full range of pricing and more event information, please visit www.cfdrodeo.com.

Not quite 100 years ago, a small group of local women first started the carriages’ section of what is known today as the Cheyenne Frontier Days Grand Parades. On Thursday, September 7 at 5 p.m., they will host a ribbon cutting for a permanent home for their 1,500+ costumes, inside the Marietta Dineen Carriage Barn which also permanently houses the 60+ wagons and carriages seen in the four Grand Parades.

Originally a small group of ladies working to find riders, outfit them in appropriate costumes, and assign them to specific carriages, the W-Heels as they are known today will finally have a permanent home for their costumes with the opening of the Louise and Frank Cole Costume Room within the Marietta Dineen Carriage Barn.

As their 1890’s period costume collection has grown, finding space for 1,500+ women’s and men’s authentic apparel as well as 500 hats, bicycles, saddles and more from the 1890s, it became apparent the collection needed a dedicated space.

In the past 40 years, the W-Heels have moved their costume collection over seven times to include the basement of a dry-cleaning business and an abandoned gas station. With a generous gift from Louise and Frank Cole, both associated with the Cheyenne Frontier Days Grand Parades for much of their lives, the historic costumes will now be in a temperature-controlled area complete with dressing rooms, workspace to maintain the costumes, and office space to facilitate the checking in and out of costumes in and out for use in the parades.