July 17-26, 2026
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July 17-26, 2026
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been honored with the 2025 PRCA Remuda Award, recognizing the rodeo committee that provides the best and most consistent pen of bucking horses in professional rodeo.
The Remuda Award, presented annually by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), celebrates a rodeo and stock contractor that offers contestants the highest-quality livestock, giving cowboys the best opportunity to showcase their talent and compete on a level playing field.
“It’s really exciting for us to even be considered for the Remuda Award,” Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig said. “There are so many great rodeos out there and the quality of bucking horses has gone through the roof.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days has worked diligently to develop its tournament-style format, with nine evenly matched performances designed to give each cowboy an equal shot at the title. Working closely with Smith Pro Rodeos, the committee collaborates with multiple subcontractors to assemble nine balanced pens of horses, a process requiring months of planning and deep knowledge of each animal’s style and ability.
Hirsig gave a special thank you to Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, the primary stock contractor for Cheyenne Frontier Days, and acknowledged the other contractors that provide livestock for the eight-day rodeo extravaganza.
“I think we’re just very thankful that we’ve got Stace Smith, who really cares about our rodeo and is trying to make it one of the best ones when it comes to the bucking horses,” Hirsig said. “He’s worked hard to try to get us to this level and it’s great to see that we’re getting acknowledged for it.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days also continues to invest in animal welfare and performance excellence. In collaboration with Smith Pro Rodeos and the Samuelson Family, the organization developed a dedicated resting and grazing area north of Cheyenne to provide bucking stock with a quiet, natural environment during the celebration, ensuring the horses remain in peak condition.
The Samuelson Family has been a tremendous supporter of Cheyenne Frontier Days, and their generosity made this important project possible. Their unwavering commitment to the sport, the animals, and the spirit of the Daddy of ’em All has strengthened CFD’s foundation and helped ensure that both contestants and livestock perform at their best.
The award will be presented at the PRCA Awards Banquet on Dec. 3 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, ahead of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
Saddle bronc riding fans have been on the edge of their seats through all of Cheyenne Frontier Days and are in for a treat again today. The youngest boys in Cody Wright’s family, Stetson and Statler are both in the mix. Stetson needs to do well here to move inside the top 15 in the world standings.
Stetson is currently 15th in the world and Statler is 10th. Stetson needs to earn money to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in both of his events, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. Statler wants to be the second member of his family to earn a title at Frontier Park. Stetson was the all-around champion here in 2019, 2021 and 2023, the bull riding champ in 2019 and 2023 and saddle bronc in 2021 and 2022.
Brody Cress is also on a mission. The local favorite is hoping to become the first man in the history of events here to win four saddle bronc riding titles. The rodeo officially began in 1897, and saddle bronc riding was one of the first rodeo competitions held. Cress grew up right here in Laramie County and for him to win four titles would be amazing. He will need to be among the top six finishers today. Also watch for Ian McGivney from Kaycee who went to college in Cheyenne and Brody Wells from Powell who competed at his first NFR last December.
There are two former CFD champs in the bareback riding, Richmond Champion who won it in 2014 and Clay Jorgensen, the champion last year. They are going up against the world standings leader, Rocker Steiner and last year’s world champion, Dean Thompson.
Ernie Courson is always a crowd favorite in the bull riding. When he has a good ride, he will find a spot on the fence, climb up and do a back flip in the arena. He got to do that twice here, once during the rodeo and once during the Xtreme Bulls competition. Courson has been close to qualifying for the NFR, but injuries have kept him outside the top 15. A win here at Cheyenne could be life-changing for him. He is inside the top 50 and could move up significantly. Courson travels across the country with his family and has sons who want to follow in his footsteps.
No one wants to win a bull riding championship here any more than Trey Kimzey. His older brother, Sage, competed here for years and even though he won seven gold buckles for being the best, Sage never got to be on stage here. Clayton Sellars is also waiting for his first win here. He is 13th in the world standings and needs to stay among the top 15 to qualify for his fifth NFR. Sellars is bicoastal with a place in Florida and California. His wife, Billie, is saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman’s sister, and they have a baby boy named Pancho.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
Breakaway roping might be the toughest timed event of Semi Final 2. World number 1 Taylor Munsell who has qualified for every National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) since 2021 leads the field along with four-time and reigning world champion Kelsie Domer. Danielle Lowman, a proud member of the Navajo Nation who attended Dine College, has made three trips to the NFBR and five to the Indian National Finals Rodeo. She recently joined the PRCA so that she can compete in team roping in her circuit, an event she started competing in at age 10.
Also roping today are Maddy Deerman who is fifth in the standings, former high school champion Quincy Sullivan and three others ranked in the top 35. Sierra Spratt may live in Arizona now, but she is a Wyoming girl who grew up in Shoshone.
The tie-down roping features 2022 CFD co-champion Cory Solomon, an NFR veteran, and former world champion Tyson Durfey who is back in championship form after a short retirement. Recent high school graduate Kyan Wilhite was the National High School Champion last year.
Eli Lord won the CFD steer wrestling title in 2019 and proved that was no fluke by winning it again in 2023. Today’s roster also includes 2022 World Champion Jacob Edler and NFR veterans Tristan Martin and Riley Duvall. Duvall and his 20-year-old cousin Nathan, who both are competing today, are part of a steer wrestling dynasty that started in the 1960s with Riley’s grandfather Bill and his world champion great-uncle Roy. Roy who was CFD champion in 1967 with Bill as hazer.
Team roping will feature four former CFD champions, none of whom are roping with the same partner that they won with here before. The 2015 CFD champ Luke Brown is heading for 2019 CFD winner Trey Yates. 2018 champion heeler Joseph Harrison has teamed with fellow Oklahoman Bubba Buckaloo while 2023 champion header Billy Bob Brown is roping with fellow Texan Blaine Vick. Also in the field is Jeremy Buhler who was the first Canadian heeler to qualify for the NFR and the first to win a world championship. Buhler is roping with Aaron Tsinigine who was the first Navajo to earn a heading world title.
The barrel racing features three former CFD champions. Three-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi won the title here in 2007, the year she won her first world championship. Lisa Lockhart, who has more career earnings in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association than any other barrel racer, took home the championship package in 2015, and Shali Lord was co-champion with Nellie Miller during the infamous hailstorm on Championship Sunday in 2019. Tonozzi is second in the 2025 standings and Lockhart is 15th.
Emilee Pauley of Wall, South Dakota, is hoping the family success at the “Daddy of ‘em All” extends to barrel racing. Her father, Bud Pauley, won the saddle bronc riding at CFD in 1985 and her brother, Jesse Bail, won that event in 2011 in Frontier Park.
Rough Stock Events – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
World champions and former CFD champions are going head-to-head today to see who will rise to the top. There are five bareback riders in the field who have ridden for gold buckles, and one of those is wearing his. Dean Thompson was the best in the world in 2024 and is trying to earn his second world championship. Cooper Cook qualified for his first NFR last December and just had the biggest win of his career at Calgary. Also in the mix is the very flamboyant Rocker Steiner, who made his debut at Frontier Park in the mini bareback riding as a teenager. Steiner is currently leading the world standings and finished as the reserve world champion last year.
Stetson Wright has won more CFD titles than any of this year’s competitors. He was the all-around champion in 2019, 2021 and 2023, the bull riding champ in 2019 and 2023 and saddle bronc in 2021 and 2022. Wright was injured for all of 2024, and his comeback has him leading the PRCA’s world all-around standings and second in the bull riding. That’s the event we will see him in today. Also, look for the 2016 CFD champion Roscoe Jarboe to make some moves in section one. Colten Fritzlan also is a comeback kid and NFR qualifier in the second section.
Wyoming’s own Brody Cress will be among the saddle bronc riders today. Cress won three consecutive titles here from 2017 – 2019. However, last year’s CFD was likely his favorite. He and his wife Sierra welcomed baby boy Roweler to the family, and the 2024 Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo was Roweler’s first. They have travelled this year as a family and love making new memories. Hopefully, they will include winning more here.
Lefty Holman might have the winningest smile in rodeo, and he’s had a lot to smile about too. He has qualified for the NFR four times and finished as the reserve world champion in 2022. He has never won Cheyenne, but his grandfather John “Witch” Holman was the rookie champion here in 1947. Lefty and his wife, Hailey welcomed a daughter to their family, and one of the traditions they keep is taking time to pray together before Lefty gets on a bucking horse.
Timed Events – Steer Wrestling, Team, Tie-Down, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing
To say that today’s barrel racing is stacked might be an understatement with four NFR qualifiers and three former CFD champions. Leading the pack is Hailey Kinsel and her great mare, DM Sissy Hayday, aka “Sister” who won the qualifying round here with a blazing time of 17.18 seconds. They have already earned over $7,000. They are joined by 2015 champion and fan favorite, Lisa Lockhart as well as Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, who was the champion in 2007. Also in the mix is Wenda Johnson, who is looking for her first title here.
Tie-down roper Marcos Costa loves this rodeo. When he first came to the United States from his native country of Brazil, this was one of the first big rodeos he earned a major check at. Then he went on and became the first Brazilian to earn an individual world championship. Marcos has been waiting to win this rodeo since he became a member of the PRCA over 10 years ago.
Watch for Cory Solomon to be going for the green today. Cory wears green, the color of money, and he hopes to earn his share here. The 2024 tie-down roping champion here is 18th in the world standings and needs to move inside the top 15 to qualify for his 11th NFR. A big win here would certainly help.
Billy Bob Brown had the biggest win of his career in Frontier Park in 2023 when he got to make the victory lap as the champion header. He has a new roping partner in Blaine Vick this year, and the duo has similar mindsets and goals. The ranch-raised cowboy loves the big open feel of Cheyenne’s arena and would like nothing more than to rope for a second title here this year.
Chad Masters and Cory Petska have both won this rodeo, but if they repeat this year, it will feel like new. Chad won it as the header in 2009 and again in 2018. Cory won it the year before that in 2017. They both have gold buckles to their credit and are among the legends of the heading and heeling. They have been friends for a long time and roped together before, but this is the first time at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
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.
Kenzie Kelton is another cowgirl adding to her family’s legacy. Her father Chance Kelton was the steer roping champion here in 2010 and has qualified for the NFR in the heading. Kenzie, like Coralee, was raised on a ranch and riding and roping have been part of their lives from the get-go.
The opportunity to compete in front of the electric crowd at Cheyenne Frontier Days became very real for 72 of the best from the team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and women’s breakaway roping and barrel racing.
Rodeo athletes from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association competed for that chance ahead of the first rodeo performance, which starts Saturday, July 19. Not only did this preliminary competition determine who will be in the first six performances, it also gave them a chance to add to their checking accounts.
Over $250,000 was paid across the disciplines with the big money winner here so far coming in the barrel race. Four-time world champion Hailey Kinsel had the fast time in that event stopping the clock in 17.18 seconds. Kinsel was riding her great mare, DM Sissy Hayday “Sister.”
Not only did the 2021 Cheyenne Frontier Days champion earn $7,834 here already, she will compete during a performance and if she finishes among the top four in that performance she will advance to the semi-finals. The ultimate goal is to be here Sunday, July 27 and compete for the legendary Cheyenne Frontier Days Championship.
Kinsel was crowned the champion at Wyoming’s Cody Stampede over the Fourth-of-July. Then she finished in the top five at Sheridan’s WYO Rodeo. It looks like Wyoming in July is a very good place for Kinsel and Sister to be competing.
Riley Pruitt is in contention for his first tie-down roping title here thanks to a 9.6-second run here in the qualifier. Pruitt, from Gering, Nebraska, has momentum on his side as well. He won the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs last week.
The two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo competitor earned $5,351 for his first-place finish here. He is looking good for another trip to Las Vegas to compete for rodeo’s championships in December. He is currently eighth in the world standings and stands to move up with his success here.
The first rodeo performance kicks off at 12:45 on Saturday, July 19. Along with all of the timed events, bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding will be featured. The ladies ranch bronc riding is a special attraction.
The following are qualifying results from Cheyenne Frontier Days in the timed events.
Team Roping: Money is per man. (first round) 1, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla., 6.6 seconds, $4,943. 2, Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and Wesley Thorp, Stephenville, Texas, 7.3, $4,361.85. 3, Kyle Polich, Cortez, Colo., and T.J.. Watts, Eads, Colo., 7.4, $3,780. 4, Brye Crites, Welch, Okla., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark., 8.0, $3,199. 5, Jr. Dees, Orange, Texas, and Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas, 8.1, $2,617. 6, Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla., and Jade Corkill, Victoria, Texas, 8.2, $2,326. 7, Riley Kittle, Stephenville, Texas, and Landen Glenn, McAlester, Okla., 8.3, $2,036. 8, Kolby Krieger, Fredricktown, Mo., and Michael Fortenberry, Beaumont, Texas, 8.4, $1,745. 9, Jett Hillman, Perry, Okla., and Jason Handy, Recluse, Wyo., 8.5, $1,454. 10, (tie) Jason Handy, Recluse, Wyo., and Cole Cooper, Montrose, Colo.; and Corben Culley, Lawton, Iowa, and Trent Vaught, Mena, Ark., 8.6 and $1,018 each. 12, Devon Johnson, Red Oak, Texas, and Zane Pratt, Congress, Ariz., 8.7, $582.
(Wild Card) 1, (tie) Jack Fischer, Ellensburg, Wash., and Andy Carlson, Hermiston, Ore.; and James Arviso, Winslow, Ariz., and Logan Moore, Dublin, Texas, 7.1 and $3,102 each. 3, Howard Hutchings, Springville, Utah, and Scott Lauaki, Springville, Utah, 7.2, $2,520. 4, (tie) Peyton Holliday, Chouteau, Okla., and Whip Peterson, San Simon, Ariz., and Wyatt and Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas; 7.6, $1,939. 6, Chet Weitz, London, Texas, and Jeryn Ellerd, Levelland, Texas, 7.7, $1,551. 7, Brayden Schmidt, Benton City, Wash., and Jaydon Warner, Tropic, Utah, 7.8, $1,357. 8, (tie) Blair Lammers, Hartford, S.D., and Tel Sorenson, Watford City, N.D.; and David Temple, New Plymouth, Idaho, and Dillon Baherm, Parma, Idaho, 8.1, $1,066 each. 10, (tie) Wyatt Murray, Neola, Utah and Rhett Nebeker, Roosevelt, Utah; and Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn., and Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz.; 8.4, $679. 12, Smith Walker, Bedias, Texas, and Will Smith, Bedias, Texas, 8.5, $388.
Tie-Down Roping: (first round) Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb., 9.6 seconds, $5,351. 2, Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash., 10.2, $4,721. 3, (tie) Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas; Chase Webster, Kamas, Utah; Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil, 10.5, and $3,462 each. 5, Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo., 10.7. 6, Cole Eiguren, Fruitland, Idaho, 11.1, $2,203. 8, (tie) Landyn Duncan, Weatherford, Texas, and Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 11.2, $1,731. 10, (tie) Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla.; Bryce Derrer, Portales, N.M.; and Adam Shuckburgh, Innisfairl, Alberta; 11.3, $944.
(Wild Card) 1, Blane Cox, Stephenville, Texas, 10.1, $3,567. 2, Tyler Boxleitner, Loveland, Colo., 10.4, $3,148. 3, Brey yore, Rupert, Idaho, 10.5, $2,728. 4, Roan Hudson, Carbon, Texas, 10.9, $2,308. 5, (tie) Denton Oestmann, Auburn, Neb., and Ryan Wilhite, Clovis, N.M., 11.0, $1,784. 7, Joel Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 11.2, $1,459. 8, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta, 11.5, $1,259. 9, Richarrd Newton, May, Texasa, 11.6, $1,049. 10, (tie) Cody Stewart, Janesville, Calif., and Jim Mike Hutto, North Zulch, Texas, 11.9, $734. 12, (tie) Owen Wahlert, Grover, Colo.; Garrett Busby, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; and Andrew Burks, Kiln, Miss.; 12.0, $140.
Steer Wrestling: (first round) 1, Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D., 6.1, $4,933. 2, Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D., 6.5, $4,290. 3, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 6.6, $3,646. 4, Colt Honey, La Junta, Colo., 6.7, $3,003. 5, Landon Sivertsen, Ree Heights, S.D., 6.8, $2,359. 6, Riley Barber, Blackfoot, Idaho, 6.9, $1,716. 7, Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La., 7.0, $1,072. 8, Tucker Allen, Ventura, Calif., 7.2, $429.
(Wild Card) 1, (tie)Dalton Walker, Clyde, Texas, and Cody Devers, Perryton, Texas, 5.8 and $3,623 each. 3, Jake Holmes, Mulberry, Kan.., 6.1, $2,865. 4, Riley Westhaver, High River, Alberta, 6.6, $2,359. 5, Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla., 6.7, $1,854. 6, (tie) Talon Sterkel, Brighton, Colo., and Logan Kenline, Penrose, Colo., 6.8, $1,095. 8, Avery Jamerman, Lagrange, Wyo., 7.4, $337.
Breakaway Roping: (first round – section one) 1, (tie) Katie Jolly, Deer Trail, Colo., and Haiden Thompson, Yoder, Wyo., 4.2 seconds and $4,142 each. 3, Danielle Lowman, Gilberta, Ariz., 4.3, $2,571. 4, Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, 4.6, $1,714. 5, Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 4.8, $1,000. 6, (tie) Jonee Crozier, Buffalo, Wyo., and Shawnee Sherwood, Coolidge, Ariz., 4.9 and $357.
(first round – section 2) 1, Hannah Giger, Wilburton, Okla., 3.5, $4,713. 2, Charity Hoar, Pine Bluffs, Wyo., 4.1, 43,571. 3, Braylee Shepherd, Fitzhugh, Okla., 4.4, $2,571. 4, Nicole Hadley, Goodland, Kan., 4.7, $1,714. 5, (tie) Rickie Fanning, Martin, S.D.; Jessica Holmes, Buffalo, S.D.; Rylie Smith, Whitsett, Texas; and Rylee George, Oakdale, Calif., 4.9, $429.
(Wild Card) 1, Tia Wallace, Spencer, Okla., 3.2 seconds, $990. 2, Mattie Turner, Canby, Ore., 3.9, $750. 3, Shy-Anne Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 4.1, $540. 4, Madalyn Richards, Hereford, Texas, 4.3, $360. 5, (tie) Josey Murphy, Keachi, La., and Emilee Charlesworth, Marathon, Texas, 4.4
Barrel Racing: (only one round) 1, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.18 seconds, $7,834. 2, Anita Ellis, Blackfoot, Idaho, 17.26, $6,715. 3, Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., 17.27, $5,596. 4, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.37, $4,850. 5, Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 17.38, $3,731. 6, Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 17.46, $2,984. 7, Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 17.50, $2,238. 8, Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas, 17.57, $1,492. 9, Tyra Kane, Weatherford, Texas, 17.60, $1,119. 10, Halyn Lide, China Spring, Texas, 17.65, $746.
Hailey Kinsell from Cotulla, Texas had the fastest time in the qualifying round of barrel racing at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Riding DM Sissy Hayday “Sister,” she stopped the clock in 17.18 seconds to earn $7,834. She will compete again in the Quarter Finals and is hoping to win her second title at the “Daddy of ‘em All.” Photo by Kirk Miller CFD Volunteer.
Episode #9:
This year, we’ll make Cheyenne Frontier Days history as we welcome country music artist Ian Munsick to the Frontier Nights stage—marking the first time one of Wyoming’s own will headline a night show at The Daddy of ‘em All!
As Ian famously shared on stage during his sold-out show at Red Rocks, “My [second] goal is to headline Cheyenne Frontier Days. Ball is in your court, Cheyenne Frontier Days; 2025, what do you say?”
The rest, as they say, is history… or will be, here in a few weeks.
Former Miss Frontier Tara Vreeland brings Ian back to that moment for the story behind that now-infamous statement, plus finds out:
How Ian’s Wyoming roots have shaped his path as an artist and the music he’s created
What the crowd can expect when Ian takes the stage—and what surprises might be in store
How Ian hopes fans feel coming away from his shows
Brand-new and longtime fans alike can brush up on Ian’s extensive music catalog right here, and catch him live in Cheyenne, Wyoming, as he kicks off the 129th Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration on Friday, July 18! Tickets available now at https://cfdrodeo.com/.
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
And that, folks, is the thrill of bull riding.
Episode #8:
Not so long ago, the gentlemen you’ll meet today were your average trio of Wyoming-grown buddies, catching up and crossing paths in various rodeo circles.
Today, one is the CEO of Cheyenne Frontier Days (Tom Hirsig); another’s been the Cheyenne Frontier Days arena medic for going on 38 years (Dr. Skip Ross); and the third is a former National Finals Rodeo (NFR) bull rider (Dennis Humphrey).
Through it all, they’ve held strong to their friendship, including their shared ties to rodeo.
Today, you’ll get to listen in as they recount some of their favorite stories. Find out:
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
One of Cheyenne Frontier Days’ most enduring connections is our partnership with the military,
a relationship woven into the fabric of our celebration since the very first parade.
Around here, tradition runs deep; the stories—and, sometimes, the horses—run wild; and community runs strong above all.
One of the most enduring connections is our partnership with the military, a relationship woven into the fabric of our celebration since the very first parade.
Today, your host Tara Vreeland—former Miss Frontier and current CFD marketing team member—welcomes two distinguished former military chairmen, Tucker Fagan and Hans Ritschard, for a heartwarming and humorous conversation about the enduring connection between F.E. Warren Air Force Base and Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Find out:
Why you’ll always see a tank in the arena on Military Monday—and the story behind how the tradition got started
How CFD changes the lives of young airmen stationed in Cheyenne
The legacy behind Tucker’s beloved 1996 CFD jacket
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
Cheyenne Frontier Days Track Announcer Kyle Shobe calls it “rodeo spontaneous”:
The well-managed chaos that, ultimately, results in one heck of a rodeo… and a great show for the fans.
In a way unlike any other sport in the world, rodeo thrives on the beauty of spontaneity—and no one knows this better than the fine gentlemen tasked with bringing the story of each rodeo to life.
Today, you’ll hear some familiar voices—Kyle Shobe, Cheyenne Frontier Days track announcer, and Garrett Yerigan, Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo Announcer—joined by Riggin Smith of Stace Smith Pro Rodeo, all coming together to celebrate:
What stands out most about putting on the rodeo in Cheyenne
The difference between what you see on The Cowboy Channel and what it’s like to be in the thick of the live event
What it’s like to go through a typical rodeo day as an announcer, and as a member of the Stace Smith Pro Rodeo crew
Why announcing for the rodeo is unlike any other sport—and what it gives announcers an opportunity to do for the fans
How technology has evolved (and elevated) the rodeo experience from every angle
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 28, 2024 — The Championship Sunday crowd at the 128th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (CFD) saw a mix of world champions facing adversity and unheralded cowboys ride away with 2024 championships at the Daddy of ‘em All.
The top 12 contestants from the previous rounds of competition compete on Championship Sunday where everyone starts with a clean slate. The first competition of the day was steer roping. Tuff Hardman of Atoka, Oklahoma, who came into Championship Sunday in tenth place, but clocked a time of 14.5 seconds as the third man to rope. The closest any of the rest of the field could get was a 14.6 by another Oklahoman, Chet Herren. Hardman has his sights on qualifying for the National Finals Steer Roping and the nearly $11,000 he won on Sunday will help the father of three reach that goal.
Next up was bareback riding where seven of the 12 finalists were veterans of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). North Dakota cowboy Clay Jorgenson marked the highest score of the 2024 rodeo with 90 points Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail. This is the biggest win to date for the 28-year-old cowboy and is one he’ll remember for a lifetime.
“To get my name up there with a bunch of great guys who’ve won this rodeo before, it hasn’t really processed yet,” Jorgenson remarked. “It’s an unbelievable feeling and I’m so blessed.”
In tie-down roping, world standings leader Shad Mayfield continued his successful season, clocking a time of 9.8 to win by nearly 3 seconds. Mayfield has been battling hip injuries all season and credited being able to stay in Cheyenne through the week with helping his performance. He will take a few weeks off for rest and rehabilitation to stave off surgery until after the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December.
Mayfield, who won the world title in 2020, grew up coming to Frontier Days with his father. He has a photo of himself as a young child swinging a rope under the grandstands.
Reigning breakaway roping world champion Shelby Boisjoli-Meged was emotional on the winner’s platform after winning her event with the fastest time of this year’s rodeo – 3.7 seconds. She admitted that she had been having a rough time winning this summer.
She had to be one of the top breakaway ropers in the wild card round after she missed the cut in the qualification round.
“I missed my calf in the wild card and had to fish my rope around the neck,” she said. “I credit that “cowgirl try” with getting me to today’s finals. Today I thought I had broken the barrier for a couple of strides until I heard my husband yell.”
To see your name drawn next to Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ THE Black Tie is a bronc rider’s dream. The 2023 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year is known for giving cowboys a good chance to mark 90 points or more. Logan Cook of Alto, Texas, took advantage of that opportunity with a score of 90 to win the championship.
“I’ve kind of been nervous since yesterday afternoon about 4 o’clock just because you know you’ve got the one to win it on as long as you do your job,” Cook explained.
“Everybody in the world watches the Daddy of ‘Em All. You grow up as a little kid watching it and it’s just great to come here and come out on top,” he said.
Winning Cheyenne Frontier Days is an accomplishment that has eluded team ropers Hayes Smith and Justin Davis for years, until now.
“This is one of the ones you grow up practicing to win and I’ve never even made the short round here,” Smith said, while Davis added “I’ve made the short round five or six times, but I’ve never won it.”
The field was stacked with past CFD champions along with numerous NFR qualifiers, but Smith and Davis bested them all with an 8.3 second run to win.
“This is as good as it gets. It’s a lifelong dream to win this rodeo. I’ve been here probably 16 times, and I’ve never won it, so it’s pretty special,” Davis acknowledged.
Denton Good, a 20-year-old steer wrestler from Long Valley, South Dakota, earned his first championship at Frontier Park. Rodeo is a family affair for Good. His father Allen was his hazer, riding his grandfather’s hazing horse. Denton rode his brother’s horse while his brother was at another rodeo riding Denton’s horse.
Good opened a fencing business after he graduated from high school. His foreman made the 4.5-hour drive to watch the final round while the rest of his crew worked a fencing job.
In barrel racing 2022 World Champion Jordon Briggs and her horse Famous Lil Jet that she calls Rollo took the win in Frontier Park, a place where her mother Kristie Peterson won four championships in the 1990s. Champions here get a prize package that includes a trophy buckle and trophy saddle. Peterson also took home a trophy bit from the 100th anniversary of this rodeo. Briggs received a special three-foot tall replica of Frontier Park’s new How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls statue as did Boisjoli-Meged.
Briggs took most of the rodeo season off as Rollo recovered from an injury to a suspensory ligament and had won no money in Women’s Professional Rodeo Association competition as of June 1. Since then, she and Rollo have been taking home paychecks and the $17,000 they earned here is an important boost in her quest to return to the NFR or at least end the season in the top 30 to qualify for the big winter rodeos.
T.J. Gray, a 23-year-old bull rider from Dairy, Oregon, matched up with Dakota Rodeo’s bull No Dose for a score of 90 points.
“I’ve never been 90 before so when they said that I was, I was pretty stoked,” Gray, who is ranked seventh in the world, admitted.
“Cheyenne’s the biggest rodeo I’ve ever won,” Gray said. “There were a lot of good bull riders out today and a lot of good bulls, but I knew 90 was going to be a high mark to beat.”
The all-around race was a veteran versus rookie; timed event versus rough stock battle between two Oklahomans – roper Coleman Proctor and bareback and bull rider Wacey Schalla.
Proctor, the 2022 CFD All-Around Champion, posted a time of 24.0 seconds in steer roping which put him eighth and earned him $2,200. Schalla was the final cowboy to ride in the bareback riding. He knew he needed a big score since North Dakota’s Jorgenson had set the bar at 90 points. Schalla scored 89 points to split second and third and add $5,500 to his earnings.
In team roping Proctor and his partner Logan Medlin of New Mexico won $8,000 each for second place with a time of 10 seconds. For the second time in three years, Proctor found himself avidly watching the bull riding with an all-around title on the line.
Schalla was matched with Dakota Rodeo’s unridden bull Big Time. The rookie cowboy brought a roar from the crowd as he scored 83 points to place third for another $4,500, but that wasn’t enough to overtake Proctor who joked his 2022 buckle was getting worn and needed an update.
The 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo will be held in Frontier Park July 19-27, 2025.
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2024 Cheyenne Frontier Days Champions
Bareback Riding – Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D., $11,729
Steer Roping – Tuff Hardman, Atoka, Okla., 30.8, $10,972
Breakaway Roping – Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Miles City, Mont., $16,280
Tie-Down Roping – Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., $16,400
Saddle Bronc Riding – Logan Cook, Alto, Texas, $10,728
Team Roping – Hayes Smith, Central Point, Ore., and Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif.,
$11,925 each
Steer Wrestling, Denton Good, Long Valley, S.D., $12,710
Barrel Racing – Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas, $17,053
Bull Riding – T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore., $10,627
All-Around – Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., $28,351
Rookie Bronc Riding – Clint Read, Wildwood, Alberta, $1,543
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 28, 2024)- The following are unofficial results from Championship Sunday at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Sunday, July 28.
Bareback Riding: 1, Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D., 90 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail, $8,455. 2, (tie) Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, Canada, and Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., 89, $5,508 each. 4, Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 88, $3,074. 5, (tie) R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif.; Lane McGehee, Victoria, Texas, and Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho, 84, $769 each.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Shelby, Boisjoli-Meged, Miles City, Mont., 3.7 seconds, $12,210. 2, Shelby Whiting, Paola, Kan., 4.9, $9,250. 3, Kinlie Brennise, Craig, Colo., 5.0, $6,600. 4, Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, 5.4, $4,440. 5, Chenoa VandeStouwe, Weatherford, Okla., 5.6, $2,590. 6, Jordyn McNamee, Laramie, Wyo., 6.7, $1,850.
Tie Down Roping: 1, Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 9.8 seconds, $9,200. 2, Chet Weitz, London, Texas, 12.5, $8,000. 3, Dontae Pacheco, Blanco, N.M., 12.9, $6.800. 4, Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 13.0, $5,600. 5, Brayden Roe, Wendell, Idaho, 13.1, $4,400. 6, Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla., 13.4, $3,200. 7, Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, 13.8, $2,000. 8, Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas, 14.4, $800.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Logan Cook, Alto, Texas, 90 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ The Black Tie, $8,135. 2, Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas, 89, $6,163. 3, (tie) Gus Gaillard, Morse, Texas, and Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, 88.5, $3,698 each. 6, (tie) Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., and Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, 87.5, $1,479 each.
Team Roping: 1, Hayes Smith, Central Point, Ore., and Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif., 8.3 seconds, $9,200 each. 2, Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 10.0, $8,000 each. 3, Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil, 10.8, $6,800 each. 4, Cole Thomas, Meadville, Miss., and Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah, 13.2, $5,600 each. 5, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 13.6 seconds, $4,400 each. 6, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Josh Patton, Shallowater, Texas, 14.3, $3,200 each. 7, Dawson and Dillon Graham, Wainwright, Alberta, Canada, 15.1, $2,000 each. 8, Clayton Van Aken, Yoder, Wyo., and Cullen Teller, Ault, Colo., 17.9, $800 each.
Steer Wrestling: (seven times) 1, Denton Good, Long Valley, S.D., 6.5 seconds, $6,900. 2, Caden Camp, Belgrade, Mont., 6.6, $6,000. 3, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 6.8, $5,100. 4, Jacob Wang, Laramie, Wyo., 7.2, $4,200. 5, Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii, 8.1, $3,300. 6, Jayce Doan, Hazelton, N.D., 11.9, $2,400. 7, Walt Arnold, Coleman, Texas, 15.9, $1,500. 8, Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore., No Time, $600 (based on performance in previous rounds.)
Barrel Racing: 1, Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas, 17.06 seconds, $10,751. 2, LaTricia Duke, Zephyr, Texas, 17.08, $8,897. 3, Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., 17.24, $7,044 . 4, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 17.40, $5,190. 5, Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont., 17.42, $3.336. 6, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 17.54, $1,854.
Bull Riding: (five rides) 1, T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore., 90 points on Dakota Rodeo’s No Dose, $8,247. 2, Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Queensland, Australia, 88, $6,258. 3, Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., 83, $4,498. 4, Cooper James, Erda, Utah, 78, $2,999. 5, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 77, $1,749. 6, Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La., 0, $1,250 (based on performance in previous rounds.)
Steer Roping: (eight times) 1, Tuff Hardman, Atoka, Okla., 14.5 seconds, $10,972. 2, Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla., 14.6, $9,326. 3, Trenton Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan., 16.2, $7,681. 4, Tyler Hargrave, Canyon, Texas, 16.5, $6,583. 5, (tie) Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla., and Jase Johnson, Jacksboro, Texas, 16.9, $4,663 each. 7, Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D., 17.9, $2,743 . 8, Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., 24.0, $2,194. 9, Cole Patterson, Pawnee, Okla., No Time, $1,920. 10, Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas, No Time, $1,646. 11, Vin Fisher, Jr., Andrews, Texas, No Time, $1,372. 12, Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., No Time, $1,097. (places 9-12 based on performance in previous rounds.)
Wild Horse Race: 1, Team Meanus, $4,860. 2, Graves Team, $3,645. 3, Kenny Electric, $2,430. 4, Billy Scharton, $1,215.
A young North Dakota bareback rider spurred to the top and won Cheyenne Frontier Days on a proven bucking horse brought to the Sunday Finals by J.D. Hamaker’s Summit Pro Rodeo based near Centennial, WY. Clay Jorgenson was the only man to click for 90 points on a bareback horse at ‘The Daddy’ this year.
