One of the first rodeo events and as western as the word itself, the wild horse race started in the 1800’s as a competition between ranch teams.  From its roots as a race through town with only wagons as fences, the wild horse race is now a fully grown rodeo event. In today’s wild horse races, true wild horses are no longer used. Instead, cowboys race ranch-raised horses.

In breakaway roping, the cowgirl has a flag tied close to the end of her rope and a nylon string tied from the rope to the saddle horn. When the rope grows tight after the calf is roped, the string breaks away from the saddle horn and the flag goes flying, signaling the timer to stop the clock.

Barrel racing uses electric timers and three barrels set in a clover-leaf pattern. As soon as the horse and rider run between the timers, it’s full speed ahead!

Fun fact: Today’s barrel racing evolved from the relay races in the old wild west shows! Introduced into rodeo as an exclusive event for women on horseback, Cheyenne Frontier Days barrel racing is sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Since America’s first rodeos in the late 1800s, folks have enjoyed the thrill of witnessing everyday ranch skills turned into high-level competition.

There’s never a dull moment at the rodeo! These contests are full of the daring feats and tests of the true grit required to tame the wild west.

Under a starry, late-July sky, country superstar Ned Ledoux performs “Copenhagen”: A classic originally penned by his late father, Chris Ledoux.

Under the sweeping Wyoming night sky, Ned Ledoux performs “Western Skies”: His favorite song written and recorded by his late father, Chris Ledoux.

There’s no experience quite like a Cheyenne Frontier Days night show! Against the backdrop of a Wyoming summer sky, Ned Ledoux performs crowd favorite “Cadillac Cowboy.”

Settle in and enjoy this one-of-a-kind rodeo classic from a few equally unique points of view!

A sold-out crowd welcomes country superstar Ned Ledoux to the stage, where he kicks off his set with the song “Never Change.”

Hang on to your cowboy hats! Josh Frost is saddling up for what turns out to be an 86-point ride.