Rodeo Update

World Champs Tops in Cheyenne

By Ann Bleiker, Susan Kanode and Johna Cravens

Sunup to sunset, the 2024 edition of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) was filled with great performances by world class athletes, great entertainment options, and inspiring stories.

The “Daddy of ‘em All” has a 128-year history and while events have been added, the legacy lies in the rodeo. This year’s theme, “Year of the Cowgirl,” showcased women in and out of the arena. On June 28, CFD dedicated a bronze statue named “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls,” by Wyoming sculptor D. Michael Thomas. It is in a place of honor next to the Chris LeDoux statue. Miniature versions of the bronze were awarded to the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing champions this year.

Over 1,500 rodeo contestants made their way to Frontier Park to be part of the 1.2-million-dollar rodeo. The rodeo’s qualifying rounds were July 13 -17. The quarterfinals began on July 19, where contestants were vying for a spot in the semifinals, July 26 – 27. Championship Sunday featured the top 12 contestants from the previous rounds of competition where everyone started with a clean slate.

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.”

Her husband is none other than PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper Haven Meged, who recently picked up the silver medal at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. Having someone like that in your corner is priceless. With the win in Cheyenne, Shelby added $16,280 to her 2024 earnings keeping her in a position to try and defend her world title.

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 in Cheyenne get a prize package that includes a trophy buckle and trophy saddle. Peterson also took home a trophy bit from the 100^th 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 the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association competition as of June 1. Since then, she and Rollo have been taking home paychecks and the $17,000-plus they earned in Cheyenne 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.

Briggs and Rollo captured the win in Cheyenne after stopping the clock in 17.06 seconds, just ahead of LaTricia Duke with a 17.08. Wenda Johnson was third in 17.24 and Leslie Smalygo, who has won Houston and Calgary this year was fourth in a time of 17.40.

With two months left in the regular season it will be an all out push for both Meged and Briggs to move up the standings to put them in a better position for a shot at gold once again in December. These big wins in Cheyenne could be just the boost they need to finish out the year strong.