July 17-26, 2026
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
July 17-26, 2026
Bareback Riding
After a scary wreck at the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, three-time CFD bareback riding champion, Tim O’Connell will be competing here today. O’Connell had tweaked his back in Utah on Wednesday when a horse went down with him. He then utilized his relationship with the Justin Sportsmedicine Team to find local medical experts, do tests and make sure he is okay. He got the all-clear and will be ready to ride here. He also has won the world championship three times and is hoping to compete at his 11th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). He is currently inside the top 50 and has set his sights on qualifying for the 2027 winter rodeos. Clayton Biglow won the title here in 2019, the same year he won his world championship. He came back and tied for the win in 2023. Clay Jorgensen won the championship the next year and has yet to qualify for the NFR. Clayton is in 14th place, and Clay is in 28th.
Saddle Bronc Riding
The superstar of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Brody Cress, will headline the field of saddle bronc riders today. Cress is currently 26th in the world standings, so another big win here would certainly be beneficial. He earned three consecutive titles at Frontier Park starting in 2017, then earned it again last year. Two other saddle bronc riders from Wyoming are also hoping to make their mark here, Ira Dickinson from Rock Springs and Tanner Butner from Daniel. Also watch for Chase Brooks and Shorty Garrett, who are both inside the top 15 in the world standings and are hoping to be in Las Vegas in December to compete for a world championship. They just need to hold their positions through the end of September, and anything they win here will help.
Bull Riding
The bull riding today has seven competitors, and it’s going to be tough. Leader of the world standings, Noah Lee, is hoping to add a CFD championship after winning the Calgary Stampede at the beginning of the month. Fans here watched John Crimber have four rides in a row that were over 90 points. That happened at the rodeo and the Xtreme Bulls event, and now he is hoping to make it five. Crimber, who is the reigning Professional Bull Riders World Champion, is seventh in the world standings. No one wants to win here more than Wyoming’s Hayden Welsh. He is currently third in the world standings and is the reigning National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion. And T.J. Gray is looking for his third NFR qualification and second CFD title. He won here in 2024, the first year he qualified for the NFR.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping field is a who’s who of talented women, yet only four will advance to the championship. Two former CFD champions – Joey Williams (2023) and Sawyer Gilbert (2021) – are joined by breakaway roping icons. Lari Dee Guy has nine Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) world titles, three National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) qualifications, and has been inducted into both the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Jackie Crawford, another Texas Cowboy Hall of Famer, has earned 24 WPRA world titles and competed at the NFBR four times, as has Erin Johnson, who has three world titles on her resume. Martha Angelone has just one breakaway world title, but she has been to the NFBR five times. Cadee Williams, currently ranked fifth in the world standings, won the NFBR championship for the fastest total time on 10 runs in 2022. And don’t overlook Coralee (Spratt) Anderson, a sixth-generation Wyoming rancher from Shoshoni. She finished fourth in the Mountain States circuit last season.
Steer Wrestling
In steer wrestling, Trell Etbauer, the 2022 CFD steer wrestling champion who also won the all-around here in 2014, comes from a saddle bronc riding family. He competed in that event early in his career, which helped propel him to two Linderman Awards as the season’s highest money winner in three events (including both a rough stock and timed event). While Etbauer has a long family history at CFD, that history doesn’t go back as far as Nathan Duvall’s. Nathan’s great-uncle Roy won the steer wrestling championship here in 1967 with another great-uncle, Bill, hazing. Nathan’s father Tom and several other uncles and cousins have competed here as well. His mother Amy (Hettich) Duvall is a native of Cheyenne and was one of the Dandies as a teen. Tory Johnson will be competing in a helmet in Frontier Park, and it is a miracle he can compete at all. The 3rd generation Oklahoma rancher suffered three skull fractures and a spinal fluid leak in an accident at a rodeo in May of 2024 and worked his way back into competition with extensive rehab.
Team Roping
Three former CFD champions are competing in today’s team roping. Trey Yates won the title in 2019, roping with Dustin Bird. This year his partner is Riley Kittle, who is 36th in the world standings. Trey’s father J.D. has been the all-around and the steer roping champion here as well. Billy Bob Brown was the 2023 champ, roping with Kirby Blankenship. He will head for Blaine Vick today. Coleman Proctor was the all-around champion in both 2022 and 2024, but would love to win another title at Frontier Park in his main event. While the nine-time NFR qualifier has slowed his travel schedule a bit this season, he’s still ranked 23rd in the world.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down roping is full of talented young ropers. Kincade Henry is ranked second in the world standings and will qualify for his fifth NFR at age 24. Macon Murphy, who is ranked 13th, went to the NFR in 2022 and would love to return to Las Vegas in December. They both have won college championships. Dylan Hancock and Cole Clemons travel together and are ranked 19th and 20th. Hancock qualified for the NFR the past two seasons, while Clemons made the field in 2024 but missed last year, finishing 22nd.
Barrel Racing
Tayla Moykens was reserve champion barrel racer here last year and would love to capture the championship. She qualified for her first NFR last year, but chose to ride borrowed horses in Las Vegas because of the EHV-1 outbreak that impacted equine athletes just before the NFR. This year she is ranked seventh in the world and planning to return to the NFR and ride her own horses. Kristin Hanchey trains horses in Florida with her husband Jason (roper and brother to NFR veteran Shane Hanchey). She is known for training strong barrel futurity horses, and also leads the WPRA’s southeastern circuit standings. When Laura Lambert is not competing in rodeo, she’s telling stories about rodeo as the major force behind Rodeo on SI – the Sports Illustrated affiliated online site.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Today’s saddle bronc riding is an international field with a strong local contender. Reigning CFD champion saddle bronc rider Brody Cress, who grew up in Hillsdale and attended school in Cheyenne, leads the field. He is the only cowboy to win the saddle bronc riding here four times. Cress is ranked 25th in the world standings and needs the win. Australia’s Damian Brennan is eighth in the world, and four-time world champion Zeke Thurston, a Canadian, is tenth. Another Canadian, Kolby Wanchuk, sits 12th while Wyoming native Brody Wells is 13th. Three more Canadians, another Aussie and four more Americans round out the roster.
Bareback Riding
In bareback riding, 2023 CFD champion Kade Sonnier is bouncing back from injury as are 2024 World Champion Keenan Hayes and Texan Leighton Berry. Hayes sat out last season but is currently ranked fourth and headed to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) again. Leighton was recovering from injury when he watched his younger brother Kade win the championship here last year. He is aiming for a CFD title of his own. Colt Eck’s brother Bryce won Semi-Finals 1 yesterday, and Colt would like to do the same today.
Bull Riding
Luke Mackey is ranked the highest in the world standings of any of today’s bull riders at sixth. Mackey, whose nickname is “Colorado Kid,” finished last season in seventh place after competing at his first NFR and is the only bull rider today with experience at rodeo’s world championships. Louisiana rookie Braxton Whitesell is just out of the top 15 at 17th, and a win here would boost his chances to qualify for the NFR. The same is true of Kansan Colton Byram, who is ranked 18th.
Team Roping
We expect great runs in the team roping today as veterans take on newcomers and the family legacies continue. We have a father and son both heading, and it is the second time in the history of CFD that has happened. J.D. Yates roped with his son Trey Yates here in 2016 when J.D. won the all-around title. They also roped against each other here, and that is exactly what Clay and Tyler Tryan will be doing in Semi-Finals 2. Clay won championships here in 2013 and 2021 roping with Jade Corkill. Today, he will be heading for Will Woodfin. Tyler, who is following in his world champion father’s footsteps, is roping with Nicki Northcott, who is the son of another world champion, Steve Northcott. Chad Masters has won the heading here twice, most recently in 2018 with heeler Joseph Harrison. They have teamed up again this year and are in contention for another championship.
Tie-Down Roping
We have a husband and wife that are competing today. Haven Meged, the 2019 world champion, has yet to win a title here, but his world champion breakaway roping wife, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, did in 2024. They added baby boy Wylder to the family last May. Haven is third in the world standings, and Shelby is in the top 40. Shane Hanchey, the 2013 world champion who won the title here in 2018, is fifth in the world standings and looking to move up. And watch for rising star Sam Lewis, whose father, Brent Lewis, won the title here in 2002.
Steer Wrestling
Cash Robb won the average at the 2024 NFR, then missed qualifying last year. He’s on a mission this year and is currently 7th in the world standings. A top-four finish today would see him back here on Sunday competing for a title at the Daddy. Paul Melvin wasn’t born yet when his father, Marty Melvin, won the all-around title in 1983, but with Marty’s passing in 2019, each of those titles has more meaning. If Paul adds his name to the history here, it will be a full-circle moment for the family.
Breakaway Roping
Today’s field of breakaway ropers is full of talent. Cheyanne McCartney, the number one woman in the world, won the Calgary Stampede earlier this month. Hali Williams, who is just behind her in the world standings, is the daughter of seven-time world champ and former CFD champion team roper Speed Williams. Josie Conner is ranked seventh and won the title at the California Rodeo in Salinas this past Sunday, then won here on Monday. The first CFD breakaway champion, Jordan Jo Fabrizio (now Hallabaugh), won the title wearing her fiancé (now husband) Raymond’s CFD champion buckle. Jill Tanner is currently ranked 16th. Her brother Jim Ross Cooper won the team roping here in 2014.
Barrel Racing
The most competitive set of barrel racers we’ve seen this year happened on the third day of the rodeo when former champions Lisa Lockhart and Hailey Kinsel competed along with Carlee Otero and Emily Beisel. Emily is second in the world standings, Carlee is fourth, Hailey is ninth, and Lisa has ground to make up at 16th. Lisa is a two-time champion here, having won titles in 2015 and 2025. Hailey will be riding TR Judges Doll that she calls “Reese” giving her great mare DM Sissy Hayday a break. Emily will likely be on Vanilla Gorilla, aka Trigger, who loves this pen and look for Carlee to ride her 8-year-old mare Cathy’s Candy that she calls Twix. Lisa won the rodeo here on Rosa’s Cantina “Rosa,” on which she won the title last year. These are the horses they qualified for the semi-finals on.
Bareback Riding
Kade Berry made CFD history last year, breaking the arena record that had stood since 1974 with a 93.5-point ride to win the bareback riding title. His brother Leighton Berry, who was out most of 2025 with injury, was here to witness Kade’s success. Leighton is 6th in the world, and they both compete today. Jacob Lees, currently second in the world standings, is having the best season of his career. After two consecutive trips to the National Finals Rodeo, he missed the big show by three slots last year. Carson Hildre, who is ranked 19th in the world standings, was one of three cowboys to tie for the bareback riding national championship at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper last month. Three other bareback riders in today’s field are in 9th through 20th place in the world standings – Jayco Roper, R.C. Landingham and Mason Stuller.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Hometown favorite Brody Cress is the reigning CFD saddle bronc riding champion and the only man to win four titles in the event at the Daddy of ‘em All. He has qualified for nine consecutive NFRs, but needs to finish the season strong to move up from his current rank of 25th. After several years of injuries and setbacks, Rusty Wright is having his best season ever. He is currently second in the world.
Bull Riding
In a field full of young-gun bull riders, world champion Josh Frost is the most accomplished veteran. He’s been to the NFR five times and won the average buckle twice along with a world title. After injuries kept him away from competition for months, he is currently ranked 23rd. The only CFD champion in bull riding is T.J. Gray, who won here in 2024. Last year he finished as reserve world champion. 2026 PBR world titlist John Crimber made his debut at the Daddy yesterday in championship form. He won the performance with the highest score of the rodeo so far—90.5. Despite a limited pro rodeo schedule early in the season, he is currently ranked third in the rookie standings and 11th in the world. One of his goals is to follow his father Paulo’s path and win an NFR average buckle while dominating in the PBR. Noah Lee, the number one bull rider in the world and rookie rankings, finished out of the top six yesterday, so he needs to do well today to make the semifinals.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down roping today could be the best yet at this year’s CFD Rodeo. Last year’s Rookie of the Year and college champ Tyler Calhoun is working his way up the ranks. Former all-around champion here, Tuf Cooper (2013), is 40th in the world standings and is picking and choosing his rodeos carefully. Tuf is now married and a proud father, so his priorities are changing. Cory Solomon won the title here in 2022, and Luke Potter won it the next year. But keep your eyes on two-time college champ Kincaid Henry, who is second in the world standings and headed to his 5th NFR.
Team Roping
Derrick Begay and Colter Todd are fan favorites in the Western world because of their cowboy ways in and out of the arena. They have both earned titles here in the heading, but now with Colter heeling, they have the chance to win it together. Derrick’s nephew James Arviso won the college title in the heading in 2024 and is well on his way to his first NFR. He has been roping with Levi Lord, and in June they earned the silver spurs given to champions at the Reno Rodeo. They are currently 4th and 3rd in the world standings, and James is headed to his first NFR while Levi will rope at the rodeo championships next December for the sixth time. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira have five gold buckles between them but have never earned one in Frontier Park.
Steer Wrestling
No one was more excited to win the title here in 2025 than steer wrestler Tyke Kipp. His win gave him a confidence boost that he has used to be inside the top 15 in the world standings. Tyke is currently 8th and on pace to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and we’re not sure that Las Vegas and the NFR are ready for him, but he is certainly ready to compete for a world championship. Taydon Gorsuch is following in the footsteps of his ProRodeo Hall of Famer father Dean Gorsuch. Don’t be surprised if Taydon is wearing a purple shirt here. They have family friends whose daughter has been diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, and when he found out that purple was the color for the disease, they got purple shirts and had her initials embroidered on them. Tristan Martin is looking for his third trip to the NFR and at 11th is hoping to improve that here today. Trisyn Kalawaia is hoping to represent the Aloha State in Las Vegas. The Hawaiian is currently 6th.
Barrel Racing
A CFD title would be extremely important for several of today’s barrel racers. Among those is Summer Kosel, who has set records in Frontier Park on her great horse Apollo. Summer is 12th in the world standings and working to compete at her third NFR. Jana Bean hasn’t been there for 10 years, but aboard the latest mount in the trainer’s barn, “Vizion,” she is making waves. They are 23rd. Julie Plourde qualified for her first NFR in 2025 and left with the average buckle for having the fastest total time on 10 runs. She is 19th behind Morgan Bagnell, who is leading the Rookie of the Year standings.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping is full of women who have qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) at least once. Bradi Good and Beau Peterson have been among the top 15 at the finals twice. Bradi’s father, Shay Good, is a two-time world champion steer roper who won the CFD championship in 2015. Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Kinlie Brennise, Bailey Bates and Aspen Miller all would like to qualify for their second NFBR. Madison Outhier was the 2021 rookie of the year in breakaway roping but has yet to qualify for the NFBR. She’s currently ranked ninth, the highest of any cowgirl roping today. Her dad, Mike Outhier, has some of the bucking horses in this year’s rookie saddle bronc riding. Don’t overlook Madalyn Richards. The Texas A&M graduate was the college national champion in 2024.
Bareback Riding
Kade Berry made CFD history last year, breaking the arena record that had stood since 1974 with a 93.5-point ride to win the bareback riding title. His brother Leighton Berry, who was out most of 2025 with injury, was here to witness Kade’s success. Leighton is 6th in the world, and they both compete today. Jacob Lees, currently second in the world standings, is having the best season of his career. After two consecutive trips to the National Finals Rodeo, he missed the big show by three slots last year. Carson Hildre, who is ranked 19th in the world standings, was one of three cowboys to tie for the bareback riding national championship at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper last month. Three other bareback riders in today’s field are in 9th through 20th place in the world standings – Jayco Roper, R.C. Landingham and Mason Stuller.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Hometown favorite Brody Cress is the reigning CFD saddle bronc riding champion and the only man to win four titles in the event at the Daddy of ‘em All. He has qualified for nine consecutive NFRs, but needs to finish the season strong to move up from his current rank of 25th. After several years of injuries and setbacks, Rusty Wright is having his best season ever. He is currently second in the world.
Bull Riding
In a field full of young-gun bull riders, world champion Josh Frost is the most accomplished veteran. He’s been to the NFR five times and won the average buckle twice along with a world title. After injuries kept him away from competition for months, he is currently ranked 23rd. The only CFD champion in bull riding is T.J. Gray, who won here in 2024. Last year he finished as reserve world champion. 2026 PBR world titlist John Crimber made his debut at the Daddy yesterday in championship form. He won the performance with the highest score of the rodeo so far—90.5. Despite a limited pro rodeo schedule early in the season, he is currently ranked third in the rookie standings and 11th in the world. One of his goals is to follow his father Paulo’s path and win an NFR average buckle while dominating in the PBR. Noah Lee, the number one bull rider in the world and rookie rankings, finished out of the top six yesterday, so he needs to do well today to make the semifinals.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down roping today could be the best yet at this year’s CFD Rodeo. Last year’s Rookie of the Year and college champ Tyler Calhoun is working his way up the ranks. Former all-around champion here, Tuf Cooper (2013), is 40th in the world standings and is picking and choosing his rodeos carefully. Tuf is now married and a proud father, so his priorities are changing. Cory Solomon won the title here in 2022, and Luke Potter won it the next year. But keep your eyes on two-time college champ Kincaid Henry, who is second in the world standings and headed to his 5th NFR.
Team Roping
Derrick Begay and Colter Todd are fan favorites in the Western world because of their cowboy ways in and out of the arena. They have both earned titles here in the heading, but now with Colter heeling, they have the chance to win it together. Derrick’s nephew James Arviso won the college title in the heading in 2024 and is well on his way to his first NFR. He has been roping with Levi Lord, and in June they earned the silver spurs given to champions at the Reno Rodeo. They are currently 4th and 3rd in the world standings, and James is headed to his first NFR while Levi will rope at the rodeo championships next December for the sixth time. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira have five gold buckles between them but have never earned one in Frontier Park.
Steer Wrestling
No one was more excited to win the title here in 2025 than steer wrestler Tyke Kipp. His win gave him a confidence boost that he has used to be inside the top 15 in the world standings. Tyke is currently 8th and on pace to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and we’re not sure that Las Vegas and the NFR are ready for him, but he is certainly ready to compete for a world championship. Taydon Gorsuch is following in the footsteps of his ProRodeo Hall of Famer father Dean Gorsuch. Don’t be surprised if Taydon is wearing a purple shirt here. They have family friends whose daughter has been diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, and when he found out that purple was the color for the disease, they got purple shirts and had her initials embroidered on them. Tristan Martin is looking for his third trip to the NFR and at 11th is hoping to improve that here today. Trisyn Kalawaia is hoping to represent the Aloha State in Las Vegas. The Hawaiian is currently 6th.
Barrel Racing
A CFD title would be extremely important for several of today’s barrel racers. Among those is Summer Kosel, who has set records in Frontier Park on her great horse Apollo. Summer is 12th in the world standings and working to compete at her third NFR. Jana Bean hasn’t been there for 10 years, but aboard the latest mount in the trainer’s barn, “Vizion,” she is making waves. They are 23rd. Julie Plourde qualified for her first NFR in 2025 and left with the average buckle for having the fastest total time on 10 runs. She is 19th behind Morgan Bagnell, who is leading the Rookie of the Year standings.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping is full of women who have qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) at least once. Bradi Good and Beau Peterson have been among the top 15 at the finals twice. Bradi’s father, Shay Good, is a two-time world champion steer roper who won the CFD championship in 2015. Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Kinlie Brennise, Bailey Bates and Aspen Miller all would like to qualify for their second NFBR. Madison Outhier was the 2021 rookie of the year in breakaway roping but has yet to qualify for the NFBR. She’s currently ranked ninth, the highest of any cowgirl roping today. Her dad, Mike Outhier, has some of the bucking horses in this year’s rookie saddle bronc riding. Don’t overlook Madalyn Richards. The Texas A&M graduate was the college national champion in 2024.
Bareback Riding
Bradlee Miller, the number one bareback rider in the PRCA, has a $25,000 edge over the rest of the field, largely in part to a big win at the beginning of the month at the Calgary Stampede. He is hoping to add to that lead here. Miller’s father is the rodeo coach at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, where Bradley earned his degree. His father taught him a lot about bareback riding. Bradlee has made the trip to Las Vegas to compete at the rodeo championships twice and is looking for number three and the gold buckle that goes to the world’s best. Tanner Aus has competed at that event, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), eight times and is hoping to make it back again. Aus won the championship here in 2015. He is currently 13th in the world standings.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Australia has produced some great saddle bronc riders that have made big impressions here, but it’s been over 20 years since one of them actually won the championship in Frontier Park. Glen O’Neill did that in 2003. We have five bronc riders today that are hoping to add their name to the championship list at “the Daddy.” And it’s no coincidence that they all come from Queensland. Three-time NFR qualifier Damian Brennan, who is 8th in the world standings, is among them. Also Tom Webster, Jake Finlay, Darcy Radel and Darcy Wockner. The field is rounded out with Canadians and Wyoming’s Brody Wells.
Bull Riding
Hosting the Rank 45 Xtreme Bulls competition gives bull riders even more opportunities at Frontier Park. Noah Lee, the current standings leader, competed last night, will ride at the rodeo today and again at the bull riding tonight. Lee, the son of Professional Bull Riders champion Mike Lee, is making headlines in the rodeo world. T.J. Gray came close to winning the gold buckle last year. He finished as the reserve champion and won more money than any other competitor at the NFR to get the Top Gun Award. T.J. has had success here nearly every time he has nodded his head. He won the CFD title in 2024.
Team Roping
There are seasoned veterans and first-time competitors in all of the timed events today, especially in the team roping. Fan-favorite Coleman Proctor won the all-around title here twice in 2022 and 2024. He competed in team roping and steer roping to get the win. This year he is focused on team roping and hoping to qualify for his 10th NFR. His heeler, Travis Graves, has qualified 16 times. They are outside of the top 15, and success here today could change that. There have been very few contestants to win Cheyenne four times. Heeler Jade Corkill is on that list. He won with Chad Masters in 2009. Then he won with Clay Tryan in 2013 and again in 2022 and with Clay Smith in 2021. He is roping with Clint Summers today. They are also in the top 25 of the world standings. Current world champions Jake Long and Andrew Ward will be here as well as rookie contenders Ketch Kelton and Denton Dunning. Ketch’s father, Chance Kelton, won the steer roping title here in 2010.
Tie-Down Roping
Tie-down roping horses are some of the most athletic animals on the planet. They go from a stop to running to a stop, then back up and stand still within the matter of a few seconds. One that has become a fan favorite is Daddy’s Shiner Cat “Peso” owned by Canadian Logan Bird. Peso has carried calf ropers to multiple wins at the NFR, won the Calgary Stampede and a bunch of other rodeos along the way. Bird is a talented roper who is known for his ability to train tie-down roping horses. He will be riding Peso today. The roster is full of tie-down ropers and steer wrestlers looking for their first Cheyenne Frontier Days win. Riley Pruitt is another contestant known for horsemanship. With parents who competed, he started going to rodeos as a child. He won over $12,000 here last year, and if he repeats that, it would help him move up from his 27th position in the world standings.
Steer Wrestling
The crowd will be cheering for Austin Eller and Kalane Anders in the steer wrestling. They are both Wyoming cowboys through and through who grew up dreaming of winning this rodeo. Austin’s horse “Dallas” is a former Mountain States Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year.
Breakaway Roping
Representing the Navajo Nation, Danielle Lowman won the breakaway roping championship here last year. As the champion, she gets a special back number reserved for reigning champions so she will be wearing number four. She is currently 11th in the world standings, so a win here could help her secure a fourth trip to the National Finals Breakaway Roping. Also on today’s list is reigning world champion Taylor Munsell and Wyoming native and Cheyenne resident, Kaitlyn Idler, who qualified to compete here. Idler has been attending the University of Wyoming and is a student director for the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
Barrel Racing
The Steiner name is one of the most famous in rodeo, thanks in part to world champion bareback rider Rocker Steiner, who is on the injured list. Today it is his sister Steely Steiner taking center stage in the barrel racing. With their grandfather Bobby Steiner having won a bull riding championship and father, Sid Steiner, getting that same award in steer wrestling, it’s amazing that there has never been a Steiner to win a championship here. It would be amazing for Steely to accomplish that. Also watch for Sherry Cervi, who won this rodeo back in 1995. She is one of the most successful barrel racers in the history of rodeo and just keeps adding accolades.
Bareback Riding
Three-time Cheyenne Frontier Days bareback riding champion Tim O’Connell is back after a lengthy recovery from injury and looking to win another title at Frontier Park. He is also a three-time world champion who works as a rodeo broadcaster when he’s not competing. Orin Larsen made nine consecutive trips to the NFR, then finished in 17th for two consecutive years. The Canadian is looking to return to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) for the tenth time and is currently in 15th. He won the event here in 2016, and doing well here this year could secure that elusive qualification. Cooper Filipek of Gillette was the 2024 college national champion, and Kody Lamb, another Canadian, was the 2014 rookie of the year. Lamb, who is also a singer/songwriter, is currently ranked 26th and still has a chance to qualify for the NFR.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Four-time world champion Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alberta, is ranked 10th in the world standings this far into the season, but coming from behind is a big motivator. Thurston, whose father Skeeter won the rookie bronc riding here, has qualified for the NFR 11 times in a row. While he has a long list of rodeo accolades, he has yet to win a CFD title. Another Canadian, six-time NFR qualifier Dawson Hay, has even more ground to make up. He is ranked 34th in the world standings, and a big win here would not only help him qualify for the NFR but also make a difference for his growing family. His father, Rod, won the bronc riding here in 2000. James Perrin may be from Canada, but he has big Wyoming ties. He attended Casper College and won the national saddle bronc riding title in 2025 at the College National Finals Rodeo.
Bull Riding
Three of today’s bull riders are among the top 5 in the world. Tristen Hutchings of Monteview, Idaho, who is ranked second, did not compete on Sunday as he was in the final round at the California Rodeo in Salinas, where he finished second overall. Two of yesterday’s winners, Hayden Welsh of Gillette and Luke “Colorado Kid” Mackey, are ranked fourth and fifth in the world. T Parker of Winnie, Texas, was not successful on Sunday and is aiming for redemption today. He’s ranked 10th in the world, which is not a guarantee of making the NFR with a little over two months left in the season. All of these men will also be competing in the Xtreme Bulls tonight.
Tie-Down Roping
For the past three years, Riley Mason Webb has left Las Vegas as the world’s best tie-down roper. He has qualified for rodeo’s championships four times and won a lot of rodeos along the way. In fact, in five years of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association membership, he has accumulated nearly $2 million in earnings. The title that has eluded him is in Frontier Park. In fact, he has only won about $2,000 here and hopes to change that today. Riley absolutely loves roping, and that’s a good thing having been raised by parents that produce roping events. But no one works harder at their craft. After his first NFR didn’t go like he wanted, he drove straight home to Texas to try out a new horse. And as if he needed any extra motivation, he is engaged to breakaway roper Josie Conner, who is competing in today’s breakaway roping.
Also, in the tie-down roping today are world champions Shane Hanchey and Marcos Costa. Shane won the title in Frontier Park in 2018, five years after he won his world championship. Marcos hasn’t won a title here, but he has had a lot of success in this arena. After he came here from Brazil, he entered Cheyenne and finished in fourth. His wife, Keyla, will be in the barrel racing today.
Breakaway Roping
Today’s breakaway roping is full of talent, led by Cheyanne McCartney, who jumped to the top of the world standings after her big win at the Calgary Stampede earlier this month. Hali Williams is second in the world and follows the winning ways of her father, Speed Williams. He won the team roping title here in 2003 with Rich Skelton. Jordan Hollabaugh won the first breakaway roping championship at CFD in 2019, and her husband, Raymond, won the tie-down roping here in 1983. It’s her voice explaining the event on the big screen. Jill Tanner also has family ties to CFD. Her brother Jim Ross Cooper won the team roping title here in 2014 with Brandon Beers. Rickie Engesser would love to join her sister, Taylor, who won the breakaway here on Sunday. Josie Conner has qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping four times and finished last season ranked third.
Barrel Racing
Two former CFD champions will compete today in barrel racing. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, the two-time world champion, won here in 2007. She’s in 16th place in the world and needs to finish the season strong to qualify for her 19th NFR. Andrea Busby, a native of Wyoming who now lives in Texas, won her CFD title in 2022. Makenzie Mayes, the 2025 rookie of the year, is currently 10th in the world and aiming for her first NFR. A win here would certainly help.
Steer Wrestling
Steer wrestler Tory Johnson will likely have some interesting headgear on today. A couple of years ago, at a rodeo in Corpus Christi, Texas, he had a severe head injury with a spinal fluid leak. He had a long, grueling recovery but is back chasing his dreams. When he chases down his steer today, he is making those dreams come true just being here.
He is traveling with Chase Crane, who is 31st in the world standings and has become known for his antics in the arena when he is successful. Chase is making the “scuba” dance popular among rodeo fans with every successful run.
Team Roping
Tyler Tryan will be trying to be the third generation of CFD champions in his family. His grandmother, Terri Kaye Kirkland, won the barrel racing championship here in 2005, and his father, Clay Tryan, who is also a world champion, has won it heading twice. Tyler is also heading and is entered with another world champion’s son Nicky Northcott whose father is world champion heeler, Steve Northcott. Three-time world champion heeler Wesley Thorp has never won a CFD title, and with his header, Tanner Tomlinson, they definitely have potential. Tanner is known for his fast throws, and Wesley is a cowboy who grew up ranching and rodeoing. The big arena at Cheyenne poses the kind of challenge that he generally rises to. Tanner is 7th in the world standings, and Wesley needs to make a move to qualify for the NFR – he is 31st.
Bull Riding
Today’s group of bull riders entered to coincide with the Xtreme Bulls competition, which starts at Frontier Park Monday night, so it is a stellar group. Headlining the list is the current standings leader Tristen Hutchings, who is a two-time college champion and a 4-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier. He has won some money here in the past, but would love to add a win from the “Daddy of ‘em All” to his rodeo resume. He’s an old school cowboy who loves being outdoors and all of the rodeo events. The crowd may be the loudest for Cheyenne’s own Brenson Bartlett. He just finished his freshman year of college and competed at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). He’s coming off a big win at Red Lodge, Montana, and his favorite rodeo moment so far happened last year in Frontier Park. He rode his bull for 88.5 points, and his sister made him an uncle the same day.
Saddle Bronc Riding
It’s the Wright day to be a saddle bronc riding fan with the world champion, Statler Wright, and the guy that finished right behind him, Ryder Wright, who is his older brother. The Wright legacy includes a lot of world championships, but the only member of the family to win a buckle here – Stetson Wright – is out with injuries. Ryder is the highest in the world standings at 8th. Statler has ground to make up at 19th but could certainly do that here. There is another set of brothers on the list, Waitley and Traven Sharon. They are both in college and qualified for the CNFR, Traven for the University of Wyoming and Waitley for Texas’s Tarleton State University. Their mom got creative and sewed two t-shirts together so she could represent both boys at the Casper rodeo.
Saddle Bronc Riding
In 2023, we got to see three cowboys make the victory lap here after the bareback riding when they tied for the championship. Kade Sonnier was among that group, and it pushed him to his first NFR. The former college baseball player is currently 12th in the world standings, and he would love to make that trip around the arena at Frontier Park again. Roedy Farrell is following his father Will Farrell’s path in rodeo, but in different events. Will competed in the bull riding, and Roedy loves the bareback riding. Roedy and his traveling partner Tucker Carricato are both proud to be Wyoming natives. Another second-generation cowboy competing today is Matthew McLanahan. His father Denny McLanahan, won this rodeo in 1997, several years before Matthew was born.
Barrel Racing
Today’s barrel racing is going to be tough – it’s filled with superstars and gritty, fast horses. Among them is two-time CFD champion Lisa Lockhart, who will likely be riding her great buckskin mare, Rosa’s Cantina, that she won the event on just last year. She also won here in 2015. Kassie Mowry, the reigning and two-time world champion, is on the list, and fans love her gelding Force the Goodbye “Jarvis.” Kassie’s resume is full of wins, but she has yet to get one here. And we can always count on Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” to make things exciting. Hailey has four gold buckles to her credit, and they won the title here in 2021. Other NFR qualifiers on the roster are Carlee Otero, Katelyn Scott, Lanita (Powers) Pierce and Emily Beisel.
Breakaway Roping
Last night, Tiffany Schieck tied for the breakaway roping win at the NFR Open in Colorado Springs. That was the second time she tied for a big win. The first was here in 2022 when she and Macy Young won the breakaway roping in Frontier Park. Wyoming’s own Haiden Thompson and Makenna Ellerman are also on the list.
Tie-Down Roping
Bodie Mattson is looking for an all-around title here. The former University of Wyoming rodeo athlete won some money in the team roping on Friday, and today he will compete in the tie-down roping. He graduated with a degree in marketing and, to strengthen his ties to Wyoming and rodeo, started as an assistant coach at Gillette College this year. All he needs is to place today, and he will be the frontrunner for the all-around title here. Trevor Thiel is known for his horsemanship. He finished second here back in 2012, and while he loves to rope, it isn’t his priority. He and his wife Allie- who also ropes – put their family first and have their own real estate company.
Team Roping
Team roping was first added here in 2001. Eight years later, Chad Masters won his first CFD buckle heading for Jade Corkill. Chad won his second one in another nine years with Joseph Harrison. The 2018 CFD champs are back together and roping here today. Clay Tryan also has his share of CFD buckles and is hoping to add another. Clay won here in 2013 and 2022. Both times, he was heading for Jade Corkill. Today he is roping with Will Woodfin. In 2023, Billy Bob Brown got to make the victory lap of his life at Frontier Park when he won the team roping with Kirby Blankenship. Today he is roping with Blaine Vick. Billy Bob grew up with a rope in his hand and loves the big arena here. He also produces team roping events at his home arena in Carbon, Texas, and understands how much work goes on behind the scenes.
Steer Wrestling
Trell Etbauer headlines the steer wrestling. He tied for the win here in 2022. He grew up coming to this rodeo to watch his father, Robert, and his uncles, Dan and Billy, compete in saddle bronc riding. Emmett Edler is coming off a successful CNFR, where his horse C A Breeze “D1” earned the men’s horse of the year title. Edler finished his college rodeo career with a fourth-place finish in Casper. He is now focusing on pro rodeos and has edged his way into the top 50 in the world standings.
Bareback
If yesterday’s competition was any indication of what is to come in the next nine days, look out. The bareback riding was especially exciting, with it taking 85.5 points to advance. Two former CFD champions are on the roster today. Clayton Biglow tied for the title here in 2023, and he won it outright in 2019, the same year that he won the world championship. Clay Jorgensen, a talented cowboy from North Dakota, has won a lot of big rodeos, including this one in 2024, however he has yet to qualify for rodeo’s championships, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). A staple at the NFR is Jess Pope, who has qualified six times, earned the event championship three out of those six and left with his own world title in 2022. All three of them are vying for a spot in our Semi-Finals today and hoping it helps them secure a trip to Las Vegas next December. Jess is sixth in the world standings, Clayton is 16th and Clay is 30th.
Saddle Bronc
Nobody loves getting on bucking horses more than Shorty Garrett, and nobody has deeper roots to the sport and to Cheyenne Frontier Days. His uncle, T.C. Holloway, and T.C’s father, Johnny Holloway (Shorty’s grandfather), both earned rookie bronc riding titles here. And, his great-great-uncle, the most famous bronc rider of all time, Casey Tibbs won titles here in 1948 and 1953. Shorty is coming off a big Wyoming win at the Cody Stampede and is 14th in the world standings. Also on today’s roster are two Wyoming natives, Tanner Butner and Ira Dickinson. Ira went to college at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma, then on to Tarleton State University in Stephenville. He competed for both of those institutions while earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Then he returned home to Rock Springs to work on the family ranch while also competing. He is 36th in the world standings.
Bull Riding
With four rides yesterday, there are a total of eight spots left to advance from this set of bull riders. That may be good news for the riders and bad news for the bulls. Several of the riders yesterday came close to making the whistle, so we expect them to be extra motivated today. One of those was Colten Fritzlan, who finished second here last year. Also in the mix are Marco Jaurez, Jeter Lawrence and Wyoming’s Tipton Wilson. One more second on the back of a bull yesterday would have gotten them a score. Expect them to ride today.
Team
Team roper Clay Smith knows what it is like to take the victory lap here as the CFD champion. The team roping header won here in 2021, heading for Jade Corkill. This year, he is entered with Coleby Payne, and this duo has been one to watch at rodeos across the county. Clay’s first team roping partner was his brother Jake Smith. One would rope the horns, and one would rope the feet. Now they are both headers and are competing against each other today. Jake will be heading for Douglas Rich who he has roped with for the past two seasons. And the veteran roping brothers in professional rodeo are also on today’s roster, Riley and Brady Minor, who have competed together at the NFR 12 times.
Breakaway Roping
Breakaway roper Coralee Anderson’s family is very well-known among Wyoming’s rodeo elite. Her maiden name is Spratt, and her grandfather Bill Spratt won the steer roping here in 1976. Coralee is the sixth generation to be on that ranch, and she sure would like to add her name to the rodeo legacy. Sawyer Gilbert won this rodeo back in 2021. That propelled her to her first breakaway roping world championship. She is currently 8th in the world. Cadee Williams got a big check in Cody, Wyoming, at the beginning of the month and would love to get an even bigger check here.
Steer Wrestling
The steer wrestling will have competitors who have seen success in the college ranks. Walt Arnold was the champion in 2022. J.T. Ellison won that title the next year. And Nathan Duvall finished fourth at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper last June.
Barrel Racing
Tayla Moykens finished second in the barrel racing here last year, and that helped secure her first trip to the NFR. Her experience there didn’t go like she had planned, so she is working hard to get back there and show the world what she and her horses can do. She is currently seventh in the world standings.
Tie-Down
For years before tie-down roper Sam Lewis was born, his father, Brent Lewis earned the title in that event here. Sam recently competed at the CNFR for Angelo State University. He is currently fifth in the Rookie of the Year standings.
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.