July 19-28, 2024

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Watch: Indian Village

Reigning World Champs Dominate Cheyenne Frontier Days Quarterfinals 3

CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 22, 2024 — Reigning world champions Zeke Thurston and Ky Hamilton dominated their signature events in Quarterfinals 3 of the 128th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.

Thurston, who won his fourth world title last December, notched the first 90-point ride of the 2024 Daddy of ‘em All when he rode Brookman Rodeo’s Ragin Lunatic to win the round by four points.

While Thurston, who lives in Big Valley, Alberta, has won nearly every legendary rodeo at least one time, he has come close, but never captured a championship at Frontier Park. He advanced to the Semi Finals (July26 and 27) and would love to add this title to his list of career achievements.

Australian bull rider Ky Hamilton of Mackay, Queensland, injured his shoulder enroute to winning his first world championship at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December. He tried to continue competition but had to take a break for shoulder surgery and rehabilitation. He returned to competition earlier this month. In Cheyenne he won Quarterfinals 3 with an 88-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s bull named Regular Joe. Hamilton was the 2021 CFD bull riding champion and winning a second title at Frontier Park this year would put him on the list of two-time winners here.

Macon Murphy of Keatchie, Louisiana, qualified for the NFR in 2022 and is currently ranked 16th in the world championship standings. He won a tough round of tie-down roping with a time of 10.8 seconds to advance to the Semifinals and have a chance at more of the more than $1 million purse in Cheyenne.

Quarter Finals 3 begins on Tuesday at 12:45 where new contestants in every event except bull riding will be vying for their spots in the Semi Finals.

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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 22, 2024)- The following are unofficial results from Quarter Finals  3 (third performance) at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Monday, July 22. Payoff subject to change.

 

Bareback Riding: 1, Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho, 85 points on Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo’s Half Moon, $2,448. 2, (tie) Roedy O. Farrell, Thermopolis, Wyo., and Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, Canada, 84, $1,530 each, 4, Bryce Eck, Redfield, Kan., 83,  $612.

Breakaway Roping: 1, Eryn Maddock, Adrian, Ore., 5.3 seconds, $2,960. 2, Tiffany Schieck, Floresville, Texas, 5.5, $2,220. 3, Taniah Nez, Ganado, Ariz., 6.6, $1,480. 4, Jade Kinney, Canyon, Texas, 6.8, $740.

Tie Down Roping: 1, Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La., 10.8 seconds, $2,000. 2, Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 11.1, $1,500. 3, Booker McCutchen, Harrison, Ark., 12.3. 4, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 14.3, $500.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, 90 points on Brookman Rodeo’s Ragin Lunatic, $2,354. 2, Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas, 86,  $1,766. 3, Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., 83.5, $1,177. 4, (tie) Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M., and Cauy Pennington, Kiowa, Colo., 83, $294 each.

Team Roping: 1, Wawa Ben, Jr., and Brandon Ben, Peridot, Ariz., 8.3 seconds,  $2,000 each. 2, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 9.4, $1,500 each. 3, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Josh Patton, Shallowater, Texas, 9.7, $1,000 each. 4, Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 10.2, $500 each.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Colton Swearingen, Cowlesville, N.Y., 7.0 seconds, $2,000. 2, Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii., 7.3, $1,500. 3, Seth Peterson, Wellington, Colo., 7.9, $1,000 . 4 Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb., 8.0, $500.

Barrel Racing: 1, Tiffany Lujan, Stephenville, Texas, 17.23 seconds, $2,471. 2, Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas, 17.29, $1,854. 3, Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., 17.46, $1,236. 4, Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 17.47, $618.

Bull Riding:   1, Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Queensland, Australia, 90 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Regular Joe, $2,578. 2, Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla., 85, $1,785. 3, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 84, $1,190. 4, TJ Gray, Dairy, Ore., 82.5, $595.

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: First round leaders: 1, Hank Whitaker,  81 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s 463. 2, Clint Read, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, 79. 3, Skinny Parsons, Springdale, Ark., 78. 4, Josue Molina, Pampa, Texas, 74. Second round leaders: 1. Read, 80 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s 483. 2, Skiver, 75. 3, (tie) Beau Ryan Scarborough, Pine Bluffs, Wyo., and Josue Molina, Pampa, Texas, 74. Overall leaders: 1, Read,  159. 2, Molina, 148. 3, Parsons, 147. 4, Scarborough, 144.

Wild Horse Race: 1, Team Meanus, $600. 2, Team Agin, $450. 3, Kicked in the Belly, $300,  4, Team Chizzie, $150.



Watch: Toes

 

A foundational principle of Cheyenne Frontier Days is volunteerism. Thousands work without pay and their value is priceless. ‘Toes’ kids came out in force to spruce up the big Frontier Park arena where afternoon performances begin Saturday. The program coordinator is Cortney Johnson.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Partners with Stronger 413 Coffee

Tim Malm is from Albin, Wyo., where he was an accomplished calf roper. In June 2010 he suffered a traumatic brain injury while roping on the family ranch. Tim has been rehabilitating at home since October 2010.  

He has regained full use of his right side and is improving all the time on his left. Tim cannot walk on his own YET, but he can rope a dummy both standing or sitting in the saddle.  

Tim is the President and CEO of Stronger 413. Based on his favorite Bible verse Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” His hope is that Stronger 413 will be an avenue to share his story.  

Cheyenne Frontier Days has partnered with Malm on his coffee line because he is such an inspiration to the local and rodeo community. Stronger 413 Coffee will be the Official Coffee of Cheyenne Frontier Days, and it comes in four roasts: The Dad, The Frontier, The Barry Burk and The Wyoming.  

To learn more about Tim and Stronger 413 please visit Stronger413.com  

WPRA Announces 2021 Committee & Contract Awards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Announcer of the Year  Will Rasmussen

Stock Contractor of the Year  Carr Pro Rodeo – Pete Carr

Judge of the Year  Wade Woolstenhulme

Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year  Dottie Hayes

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

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

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

Corporate Partner of the Year  Resistol                                                    

Media Award  Julie Mankin

Lenora Reimers’ Heritage Award  Doreen Wintermute

Outstanding Individual of the Year  Jason Jenson

Outstanding Service & Dedication Award  Jimmie Munroe

Distinguished Partnership  National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Lifetime Family Heritage Award  Lori Todd Family

NFR Achievement Award  Heidi Schmidt

Outstanding Rodeo Committee Partner  Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days

Innovative Media Partner  The Cowboy Channel

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

125th Anniversary is one for the record books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Orin Larsen Begins Quest for second Cheyenne Frontier Days Title

Orin Larsen began his quest for a second Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) bareback riding championship on Monday when the Canadian bareback rider took first place in Monday’s Quarter Finals. The six-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier won his first title at the Daddy of ‘em All in 2016.

Larsen, the reigning Canadian champion and two-time collegiate champ, scored 86.5 points on Andrews Rodeo’s bucking horse Rylee’s Rasin Cane. That was good enough to edge past 2019 world champion Clayton Biglow by half a point. Biglow, from Clements, California also rode here on Monday and his 86-point effort will see him vying for another Cheyenne buckle.

With the pandemic closing the border and canceling all rodeos in Canada, Larsen based his 2020 rodeo travels from his home in Gering, Nebraska, — just 100 miles from Frontier Park — where his wife Alexa is an ICU nurse.

His win on Monday guaranteed Larsen a berth in one of two Semi Finals on this Friday and Saturday. If he finishes among the top six then, he moves on to Championship Sunday and a one-in-12 chance at a second CFD title.

Three-time world champion barrel racer Hailey Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas, took first in the barrel racing. She and her superstar palomino mare DM Sissy Hayday (Sister) rounded the cloverleaf pattern in 17.22 seconds — the fastest time of more than 200 barrel racing runs so far this year at Frontier Park. Kinsel is in contention for her first CFD title by moving on to the Semi Finals.

Bradi Good of Abilene, Texas, finished second. Good, a second-generation rodeo competitor, is the first woman to win money in multiple events at the rodeo here in the modern era. She won Monday’s breakaway roping with a time of 4.1 seconds, giving her $4,651 in combined earnings and a solid chance to be the first woman to win the CFD All-Around title. Her father Shay Good was the 2015 CFD Steer Roping champion and competed here in that event this year.

The number of bulls ridden in a performance here on Monday was higher than the number of cowboys who hit the ground before the eight-second horn sounded, a rarity. Eleven of 20 bull riders tallied a score. Four-time NFR cowboy Jordan Spears of Redding, Calif., scored 86 points to take the lead in section one on United Pro Rodeo’s bull Diamond Cutter. His lead held until the final bull of the second section. Chase Dougherty, a 2018 NFR contestant and reserve world champion, is a native of Oregon  who is now living in Texas. He rodeo Dakota Rodeo’s bull Sun Dog to match Spear’s score.

Quarter Finals four will start at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday with a new set of contestants in all events, except bull riding. The same bull riders who competed Monday, including reigning world champion Stetson Wright and six-time world champion Sage Kimzey, ride again on Tuesday.

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

Bareback Riding: 1, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, 86.5 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Rylee’s Rasin Cane, $2,4484. 2, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 86, $1,836. 3, Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah, 83, $1,224. 4, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 80, $612.

Breakaway Roping: 1, Bradi Good, 4.1 seconds, $2,952. 2, Anna Calloway, Billings, Mont., $2,214. 3, Tana Johnson, Kersey, Colo., 5.1, $1,476. 4, Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, Texas, 18.0, $737.

Tie-Down Roping: 1, Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho, 11.3 seconds, $1,899. 2, Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas, 12.9,  $1,424. 3, Garrett Busby, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 13.7, $949. 4, (tie) Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas, and Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas, 14.0, $238 each.

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: First round leaders– 1, Colt Cunningham, Rose, Okla., 80 points. 2, Jade Taton, Kersey, Colo., 78. 3, Dylan Schofield, Philip, S.D., 77. 4, (tie) Wyatt Lohman, Weatherford, Okla., and Rowdy Dunklin, Malakoff, Texas, 76. Second round leaders – 1, Bailey Bench, Oakley, Idaho, 71 points. 2, Locky Shepherd, Snyder, Texas, 67. 3, Caleb Meeks, Geraldine, Mont., 64. 4, Lucas Macza, High River, Alberta, 62.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1. Ben Anderson, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, 88 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Bridal Shower, $2,354. 2, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 87.5, $1,766. 3, Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D., 84.5, $1,177. 4, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., 83.5, $589.

Team Roping: 1, Britt and Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., 8.4 seconds, $1,847 each. 2, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., and Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla., 11.5, $1,386 each. 3, Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 15.3, $924 each. 4, Nick Sartain, Bandera, Texas, and Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla., 16.4, $462 each.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, 5.9 seconds, $1,951. 2, Reed Kraeger, Elwood, Neb., 6.2, $1,463 . 3, Marc Joiner, Loranger, La., 7.0, $975 . 4, Grady Payne, Stephenville, Texas, 7.6, $488.

Barrel Racing: 1, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.22 seconds, $2,225. 2, Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, 17.55, $1,669. 3, Tarryn Lee, St. David, Ariz., 17.66,  $1,112. 4, Jamie Chaffin, Burwell, Neb., 17.80, $556.

Bull Riding: 1, (tie) Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif., on United Pro Rodeo’s Diamond Cutter, and Chase Dougherty, Decatur, Texas, on Dakota Rodeo’s Sun Dog, 86 points, $2,098 each. 3, J.C. Mortenson, Paulden, Ariz., 85.5, $1,198. 4, (tie) Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Queensland, Australia; Sage Kimzey, Salado, Texas, and Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La., 84 points, $200 each.

Wild Horse Race: 1, New Mexico Playboys, $782. 2, Lazy Hatted J, $587. 3, 3-N, $391. 4, Butin Pump, $196.

Cheyenne Farmer’s Market is a GO for 2021

Community Action of Laramie County and the Cheyenne Farmers Market, in conjunction with Cheyenne Frontiers Days (CFD), are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Cheyenne Farmers Market will return to B Lot at Frontier Park. CFD has once again generously donated their space for the 2021 Market.

The 2020 Cheyenne Farmers Market was a huge success, despite the exceptional circumstances and last-minute planning. Community Action and CFD are looking forward to another successful season.

The first Market will take place on August 14, 2021 and will continue each Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 9. We look forward to returning to a ten-week market next year.

The Cheyenne Farmers Market is the primary fundraiser for Community Action of Laramie County, a leader dedicated to reducing poverty in Laramie County. Community Action programs include the Crossroads Healthcare Clinic, providing health care to our homeless and low-income neighbors and is the only federally qualified health care center in the state administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Community Action also administers the only intensive case management program in the state dedicated to putting our homeless and low-income neighbors on the path to self-sufficiency. The Kinship Support Services program provides support, respite, and assistance to families of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Finally, the Jonn J. Edmunds Veterans Home and the VA Bridge Housing program provide transitional housing and case management to homeless veterans in Cheyenne and Laramie County. This is the only program in Wyoming to have designated housing for female and LGBTQ veterans. The funds raised at the Cheyenne Farmers Market go right back into helping Community Action serve our most vulnerable neighbors through these programs.

Cheyenne Frontier Days has been drawing crowds for 125 years by providing the best in western entertainment. The “Daddy of ‘em All®” is a critical part of our community and looks forward to once again partnering with Community Action of Laramie County to host an incredible 2021 Cheyenne Farmers Market.

Please contact Community Action of Laramie County at (307) 635-9291 ext. 119 or email gina@calc.net if you would like to learn about sponsoring the 2021 Market.

We look forward to seeing you on August 14!

Give the Gift of Life at CFD Blood Drive

The public is invited to join Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteers, friends and staff at a blood drive on December 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center.

According to Vitalant, the nonprofit community blood service provider coordinating the drive, the community is facing a critical need for blood donations this winter. Healthcare systems are stretched thin and­ many blood drives have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vitalant protects donors by following CDC safety guidelines, and all donors will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Even someone who has already had COVID-19 and recovered can make a difference, since their plasma can help someone who is currently fighting the virus.

“We are eager to do our part to help our community,” said Tom Hirsig, Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO. “It’s not often that we get a chance to give someone the gift of life. The more of us who donate, the more lives we can potentially save.”

Everyone who donates during the CFD Blood Drive will be entered into a drawing to win Two VIP Passes to the PRCA Rodeo Performance of their choice during the 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days in July. The package includes a special pre-rodeo lunch.

To register for the CFD blood drive, call (307) 638-3326 or go to www.vitalant.org.

Frontier Fun Food Festival Coming to Frontier Park

Meet the new Cheyenne Frontier Days Concessionaire Over Labor Day Weekend!