Media updates courtesy Susan Kanode and Johna Cravens for CFD with contributions from Blanche Schaefer of Barrel Horse News magazine
Andrea Busby Wins Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing Championship
JULY 31, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — The 126th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo crowned a mixture of repeat and new champions on Sunday, as 14 individuals left Frontier Park with coveted titles from America’s biggest outdoor western celebration known as the Daddy of ‘em All.
Andrea Busby, a Wyoming native who now lives in Brock, Texas, and is one of EquiStat’s Leading Breeders of Barrel Horses, was the final barrel racer to compete on Championship Sunday. Five previous racers had stopped the clock in less than 17.3 seconds when Busby rode her 7-year-old mare Blazing With My Dude into the arena. “Tito,” who was making only her fifth run in a professional rodeo after an aged-event career with trainer Sue Smith, crossed the finish line in a time of 17.13 seconds to win the title. Tito is a royally bred homegrown product of Jeff and Andrea Busbys’ incredibly successful breeding program at Busby Quarter Horses, by their $5 million sire Blazin Jetolena and out of Britany Diaz’s NFR mare Dasher Dude by Texas High Dasher.
Busby, whose Wyoming roots are deep, grew up on a ranch near Lusk that has been in her family for more than a century. She made the 140-mile trip to Cheyenne many times growing up. She said she always hoped she would ride and win at CFD, so this title made a childhood dream a reality.
Scroll down for complete barrel racing results throughout Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Three timed events crowned co-champions on Sunday. In breakaway roping, Macy Young of Whitman, Arizona, and Tiffany Schieck of Floresville, Texas, both caught their calves in 4.0 seconds. This was Young’s first time to compete in Cheyenne. She was not part of the invitational field when the event first was introduced in 2019; there was no CFD in 2020 due to the pandemic, and last year she was pregnant with her daughter Hadley. Schieck was roping here for the first time since 2019.
Leslie Smalygo-es to the Win of Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing Semifinals 2
JULY 30, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — Leslie Smalygo of Skiatook, Oklahoma, and her horse Justaheartbeattofame (Justheartofawarrior x Yawl A Fame Maker x Dash Ta Fame) have been on a winning streak during July. So many of Smalygo’s friends made a comment about her and “Gus” being on fire that the blonde cowgirl dyed her hair the colors of flames. The duo clocked the fastest time of the six Quarterfinals and two Semi-finals, a 17.16 seconds, to win Semifinals 2 in the barrel racing. She is currently ranked 17th in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings. A win on Championship Sunday added to the $5,120 she earned today would help her bid to qualify for her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Summer Kosel Tops Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing Semifinals 1
JULY 29, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — The Friday crowd at Frontier Park watched as Semifinals 1 set half the field for Sunday’s Championship Finals at the 126th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, as 12 rodeo athletes competed in each event (12 teams in team roping), with just six advancing to Sunday’s competition.
Summer Kosel and Firewaterfrenchfame made history at Cheyenne Frontier Days during last week’s qualifying round of barrel racing by clocking the fastest time recorded at the Daddy of ‘em All in barrel racing, a 17.02. The South Dakota barrel racer proved that was no fluke by winning Semifinals 1 with a time of 17.34 seconds on her 2014 gelding by Aint Seen Nothin Yet and out of Fire Water Flyer by Fire Water Flit.
A couple of Texas women tied for the win in Semifinals 1 of breakaway roping. Tiffany Schieck of Floresville and Martha Angelone of Stephenville both roped their calves in 4.6 seconds. Angelone has qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping twice, winning the inaugural event in 2020, and is currently third in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association standings. Schieck, on the other hand, is not among the top 50 in the standings and a win at Frontier Park on Sunday would be the biggest of her career.
Tarryn Lee Goes Muddin’ to Win Cheyenne Frontier Days Quarter Finals 6
JULY 28, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — Quarter Finals 6 was set up to be the fastest set of 2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing on paper—arena-record holder Summer Kosel and the red hot Kassie Mowry, who clocked the third-fastest time this year in slack last week. However, in true Cheyenne fashion, the perf turned out to be a true test of the rodeo horse, as heavy rainfall turned the ground into a sloppy mud-fest.
The mud didn’t hinder Tarryn Lee of David, Arizona, who came in guns-a-blazin’ to win the perf by four-tenths with a 17.56 on Sadiesace Inthe Hole (Sadies Frosty Drift x Minnie Two Shoes x Dash Ta Fame).
Summer Kosel and her arena-record breaker Firewaterfrenchfame came in at third with an 18.00 to advance to the Semifinals, while Kassie Mowry won’t be advancing as she opted to save her newly minted Calgary Stampede champion gelding Famous Ladies Man and instead hop on 5-year-old derby mare Sand In My Socks.
Scroll down for complete Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing results along with breakaway results.
Rookie Jamie Olsen Shines in Cheyenne Frontier Days Quarter Finals 5
JULY 27, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — WPRA Rookie Jamie Olsen and Royal Quick Frencher stole the show in Quarter Finals 5 of Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing. The Brock, Texas, cowgirl and her 2011 gelding “Easy,” by PC Frenchman and out of Royal Fancy May by Royal Quick Dash, won the day with a time of 17.47 seconds and will be advancing to the Semifinals this weekend.
The mom of two and former nurse practitioner has always dreamed of pro rodeoing and is currently sitting fifth in the WPRA Resistol Rookie Standings.
Two former Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing champions, Stevi Hillman of Weatherford, Texas, and Nellie Miller of Cottonwood, California, did not advance to the Semifinals.
Scroll down for complete Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing results along with breakaway results.
Andrea Busby and Blazing With My Dude Top Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing Quarter Finals 4
JULY 26, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — Andrea Busby’s Wyoming roots run nearly as deep as Cheyenne Frontier Days itself, so winning Quarter Finals 4 in barrel racing at the 126th edition of the rodeo was even more meaningful for the Brock, Texas, resident, who along with husband Jeff Busby are annually one of EquiStat’s Leading Breeders of barrel horses.
Andrea’s family began The Bruch Ranch near Lusk, 140 miles northeast of Cheyenne, in 1910, just 23 years after the first one-day roundup in Cheyenne and nearly a decade before Cheyenne Frontier Days earned the nickname the “Daddy of ‘em All.” Andrea grew up near Lusk, then attended Montana State University.
On Tuesday she was the first barrel racer of the day and stopped the clock in 17.20 seconds, one of the fastest times of the week, to advance to this weekend’s semifinals. Andrea rode her 7-year-old mare Blazing With My Dude, by the Busbys’ $5 million and EquiStat Top 5 All-Time Leading Sire Blazin Jetolena and out of Britany Diaz’s NFR mare Dasher Dude by Texas High Dasher. “Tito” was bred and raised by the Busbys before going on to futurity success in the highly capable hands of NFR barrel racer and futurity trainer Sue Smith.
Andrea and Jeff of Busby Quarter Horses have connections to some of the top barrel racing horses in the industry, from rodeos to aged events. To name only two, Famous Lil Jet, the 2021 AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year and WPRA World Champion, was purchased from the Busbys as a yearling by reigning world champion barrel racer Jordon Briggs. His 3/4 sibling Famous Ladies Man, ridden by Kassie Mowry to the 2022 Calgary Stampede championship, was purchased from the Busbys by Mowry’s fiance Michael Boone as a yearling as well.
Scroll down for full Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing results.
—> Read more: The Story of Busby Quarter Horses
The women’s breakaway roping featured Tuesday’s toughest competition. Only four of 13 ropers missed their calves. The other nine women roped their animals in less than 7 seconds. The fastest of the day was Missouri cowgirl Emma Charleston. She stopped the clock in 3.1 seconds, just one-tenth slower than the CFD record set last week during the qualifying rounds. Charleston, who was part of the rodeo teams at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and then Tarleton State University in Texas, is a two-event cowgirl in pro rodeo. She’s currently ranked 28th in the WPRA barrel racing world standings but did not advance to the CFD quarterfinals in that event.
Taylor (Jacob) Hanchey of Carmine, Texas, was second with a time of 3.9. Hanchey has also made her mark in both women’s events. She was the first woman to qualify for the NFR in barrel racing and for the National Finals Breakaway Roping. Her husband Shane Hanchey won the tie-down roping title at CFD in 2018, and Taylor would love to add her own CFD title to the family trophy room.
Scroll down for full Cheyenne Frontier Days breakaway results.
Emily Beisel and Biddin On Fame Win Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing Quarter Finals 3
JULY 25, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — Monday was a special day for barrel racer Emily Beisel of Weatherford, Oklahoma. Beisel rode Biddin On Fame, a 9-year-old bay gelding by PC Frosty Bid and out of Jaxsons Olympic Fame by Poco Lijerito, to win Quarter Finals 3 with a time of 17.49. She gave all the credit to “Beau,” as she pointed out that the barrel racing pattern at Frontier Park is unique and requires a special horse.
“I didn’t enter here for a few years, because I didn’t have the right horse,” said Beisel of the long score between the in-gate and timer line, noting that Beau is one of the calmest barrel horses entering the arena.
The gelding proving to be the right mount for Beisel at the Daddy of ‘em All. The three-time National Finals Rodeo barrel racer, who is currently ranked ninth in the WPRA world standings, was excited that her dad was able to watch her win the Quarter Finals in person, since he had never been to CFD. She wore red for Rita, her mother-in-law, whose 60th birthday coincided with Beisel’s win. She will be back at CFD for the Semifinals this weekend.
Scroll down for full Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing results.
Leslie Smalygo and Justaheartbeattafame Top Quarter Finals 1 at Cheyenne Frontier Days
JULY 23, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — The action at the 126th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo was fierce from the first crack of the chute gates at Saturday’s opening performance.
Oklahoma cowgirl Leslie Smalygo is having her best season in pro rodeo this year. She is ranked 15th in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings and is seeking her first trip to the NFR in barrel racing. Riding her 12-year-old sorrel Justaheartbeattofame (Justaheartofawarrior x Yawl A Fame Maker x Dash Ta Fame) that she calls “Gus,” she bested 11 other women with a time of 17.38. That guaranteed her a spot in the Semifinals.
Smalygo won nearly $14,000 over the July 4 Cowboy Christmas run of rodeos. Her success this season has her friends telling her she’s on fire. That prompted the barrel racer to dye her hair the colors of fire, mixing pink, orange and red with her blonde locks.
The second Quarter Finals begins at 12:45 p.m. July 24.
Summer Kosel and Firewaterfrenchfame Break Barrel Racing Arena Record at Cheyenne Frontier Days
JULY 21, 2022 — CHEYENNE, WYOMING — While the 126th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo hasn’t officially started yet, qualifying/slack competition has been going on for nearly a week at Frontier Park.
With this year’s rodeo expected to top over $1 million in prize money with the legendary status of the Daddy of ‘em All, contestants came from across the U.S. and Canada hoping for an opportunity to advance into the quarter finals of the tournament style rodeo. Two women did that in record-setting style, as arena records fell in both the breakaway roping and barrel racing.
For fans of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, a day at Frontier Park or watching on the Cowboy Channel online was time well spent Wednesday, July 21.
In the Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing, horsepower took center stage, in particular Summer Kosel’s 2014 gelding Firewaterfrenchfame (Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Fire Water Flyer x Fire Water Flit). “Apollo” and Kosel of Glenham, South Dakota, ran a 17.02 to break the barrel racing arena record of 17.03, set more than 25 years ago by Kristie Peterson and the famous French Flash Hawk (“Bozo”) in 1996. When Peterson and Bozo had their record run at Cheyenne, they ran from the opposite end of the arena. There are a lot of factors involved that make an arena record accurate, but Kosel is now in the books as the fastest barrel racing run at CFD.
Kosel’s time not only set the record, it also earned her the biggest check in the qualifying rounds of $7,415, besting newly crowned 2022 Calgary Stampede champion Kassie Mowry and red-hot gelding Famous Ladies Man’s second-place 17.28.
—> Watch Summer Kosel’s winning run here.
Breakaway roper Peggy Garman of Sundance, Wyoming, also broke records at Frontier Park. She had a disappointing first run July 20 when her loop failed to connect. The breakaway roping field started with 200 split into two pools, where 30 from each advanced. The remaining 140 spent the night in Cheyenne to compete in the wildcard round, held Wednesday morning before the barrel racing qualifying competition.
Garman was one of the early ropers to go and set the pace with a new arena record at 3.0 seconds. Riding her great horse “Cash,” the Wyoming cowgirl breathed a big sigh of relief. It was a huge confidence booster for Garman.
“This is such a prestigious rodeo, and to add my name to the record books is unbelievable,” Garman said. “I struggled after yesterday but had some good friends talk me through that and get me pumped up to rope today.”
This is the third time breakaway roping has been featured at CFD. The previous record was set by Carol Hollers at 3.4 seconds in 2021.
All of these contestants will advance to the quarter finals, where there will be 72 competitors in each discipline as well as in the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding. The bull riding quarter finals will see 60 competitors each making two appearances.
The first quarter finals will start at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.
2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing and Breakaway Results
For complete results from all events, visit prorodeo.com or cfdrodeo.com/the-rodeo/ .
CFD Final Results, July 31
Barrel Racing: 1, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 17.13 seconds, $10,239. 2, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 17.21, $8,474. 3, Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., 17,24, $6,708. 4, Presley Smith, Danham Springs, La., 17.25, $4,943. 5, Katie Pascoe, Morro Bay, Calif., 17.26, $3,177. 6, Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark., 17.29, $1,765.
Breakaway Roping: 1, (tie) Macy Young, Wittmann, Ariz., and Tiffany Schieck, Floresville, Texas, 4.0 seconds, $10,699 each. 3, Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., 4.1, $6,641. 4, Alli Masters, Leon, Iowa, 4.3, $4,427. 5, Lynn Smith, Elfrida Ariz., 5.0, $2,582. 6, Devan McAdow, Hyannis, Neb., 5.3, $1,844.
Semifinals 2 Results, July 30
Barrel Racing: 1, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 17.16 seconds, $5,120. 2, Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark., 17.28, $4,237. 3, Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., 17.36, $3,354. 4, Rachelle Riggers, Lewiston, Idaho, 17.47, $2,472. 5, Presley Smith, Danham Springs, La., 17.50, $1,589. 6, Lisa Lockhart, Oehlrichs, S.D., 17.67, $883.
Breakaway: 1, Alli Masters, Leon, Iowa, 4.2 seconds, $6,088. 2, Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, 4.4, $4,612. 3, Macy Young, Whittmann, Ariz., 4.8, $3,321. 4, Jennifer Canik, Iowa, La., 5.2, $2,214. 5, Rheagan Cotton, Fairfield, Texas, 5.3, $1,291. 6, Devan McAdow, Hyannis, Neb., 5.9, $922.
Semifinals 1 Results, July 29
Barrel Racing: 1, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.34 seconds, $5,119. 2, Cindy Smith, Lovington N.M., 17.53, $4,237. 3, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, $17.57. 4, (tie) Katie Pascoe, Morro Bay, Calif.; Jamie Chaffin, Burwell, Neb., and Cheyenne Wimberley, 17.65, $1,647 each.
Breakaway: 1, (tie) Tiffany Schieck, Floresville, Texas, and Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 4.6 seconds, $5,534 each. 3, Ashley Goforth, Azle, Texas, 4.9, $3,505. 4, Lynn Smith, Elfrida, Ariz., 5.2, $2,398.
Quarter Finals 6 Results, July 28
Barrel Racing: 1, Tarryn Lee, St. David, Ariz., 17.56, $2,353. 2, Megan McLeod Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, 17.93, $1,765. 3, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. 18.0, $1,176. 4, Kelly Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 18.08, $588.
Breakaway: 1, Megan Small, Busby, Mont., 3.8 seconds, $2,951. 2, (tie) Tiffany Schieck, Floresville, Texas, and Megan Burbidge, Tremonton, Utah, 4.9, $1,844. 4, Kamie Landolfi, Coleman, Okla., $737.
Quarter Finals 5 Results, July 27
Barrel Racing: 1, Jamie Olsen, Brock, Texas, 17.47 seconds, $2,353. 2, Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas, 17.69, $1,765. 3, Cindy Smith, Lovington, Mont., 17.76, $1,176. 4, Katie Pascoe, Morro Bay, Cali., 17.77, $588.
Breakaway: 1, (tie) Katie White, Sumner, Texas, and Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 3.8 seconds, $2,582. 3, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 4.0, $1,475. 4, Abbea Faris, Grover, Colo., 4.7, $368.
Quarter Finals 4 Results, July 26
Barrel Racing: 1, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 17.20 seconds, $2,353. 2, Jamie Chaffin, Burwell, Neb., 17.57, $1,865. 3, Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas, 17.59, $1,176. 4, Sarah Rose Waguespack, Gonzlaes, La., 17.70, $588.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., 3.1 seconds, $2,951. 2, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, 3.9, $2,213. 3, Lynn Smith, Elfrida, Ariz., 4.0, $1,475. 4, Paige Stout, Decatur, Texas, 4.3, $737.
Quarter Finals 3 Results, July 25
Barrel Racing: 1, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.49 seconds, $2,353. 2, Suzanne Brooks, Seminole, Okla., 17.63, $1,765. 3, Rachelle Riggers, Lewiston, Idaho, $1,176. 4, Presley Smith, Denham Springs, La., 17.72, $588.
Breakaway: (Three times) 1, Devan McAdow, Hyannis, Neb., 5.2 seconds, $3,197. 2, Jennifer Canik, Iowa, La., 6.0, $2,459. 3,Taya McAdow, Keenesburg, Colo., 14.7, $1,721.
Quarter Finals 2 Results, July 24
Barrel Racing: 1, Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark., 17.65 seconds, $2,353. 2, Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., 17.82, $1,765. 3, Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas, 18.04, $1,176. 4, Shy-Anne Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 18.07, $588.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Anna Callaway, Billings, Mont., 3.5 seconds, $2,951. 2, Ashley Goforth, Azle, Texas, 6.5, $2,213. 3, Macy Young, Wittmann, Ariz., 14.1, $1,475. 4, Sara Montgomery, Wheatland, Wyo., 15.2, $737.
Quarter Finals 1 Results, July 23
Barrel Racing: 1, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 17.38 seconds, $2,353. 2, Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 17.50, $1,765. 3, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.67, $1,176. 4, Michelle Merrick, Las Vegas, Nev., 17.82, $588.
Breakaway Roping: 1, Angie Green, Huntsville, Texas, 3.9 seconds, $2,951. 2. Rheagan Cotton, Fairfield, Texas, 4.3, $2,213. 3, (tie) Sierra Galusha, Warrensburg, N.Y., and Alli Masters, Leon, Iowa, 4.8, $1,106 each.
CFD Qualifying/Slack Results, July 16–20
Barrel Racing: 1, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.02 seconds, $7,415 (arena record). 2, Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 17.28, $6,356. 3, (tie) Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., and Cindy Smith, Hobbs, N.M., 17.39 and $4,943 each. 5, Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas, 17.44, $3,531. 6, Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla., 17.48, $2,824. 7, Tarryn Lee, St. David, Ariz., 17.52, $2,119. 8, Katie Chism, Tiskilwa, Ill., 17.55, $1,412. 9, Sarah Rose Waguespack, 17.58, $1,059. 10, Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, 17.61, $706.
Breakaway Roping: (Pool A) 1, (tie) Shawnee Sherwood, San Tan Valley, Ariz., and Taya McAdow, Keensburg, Colo., 3.6, $3,845 each. 3, Sloan Anderson, Whitehorse, S.D., 3.9, $2,386. 4, (tie) Sage Kohr, Gillette, Wyo., and Tayler Bradley, Goldendale, Wash., 4.0, $1,260. 6, (tie) Josie Conner, Iowa, La.; Sjebu Scjweotz. Cave Creek, Ariz.; and Mollie Bassett, Vinita, Okla.; 4.1, $221. (Pool B) 1, Anna Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D., 3.7, $4,375. 2, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, 3.9, $3,315. 3, Sierra Galusha, Warrensburg, N.Y., 4.1, $2,386. 5, (tie) Shelby Boisjoli, Calgary, Alberta, and Rheagan, Cotton, Fairfield, Texas, 4.3, $795. (Wild Card) 1, Peggy Garman, Sundance, Wyo., 3.0, $990 (arena record). 2, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 3.1, $750. 3, (tie) Alex Loiselle, Paris, Texas, and Josie Goodrich, Stanfield, Ore., 3.4, $450. 5, (tie) Angie Green, Huntsville, Texas, and Kaylee Cornia, Cokeville, Wyo., 3.5, $180.
