In a remarkable recognition of excellence and tradition, Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) has been awarded the 2025 PRCA Remuda Award, an honor that celebrates the rodeo committee providing the best and most consistent pen of bucking horses in professional rodeo.
Each year, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) presents the Remuda Award to highlight the partnership between rodeos and stock contractors who ensure that cowboys are matched with top-quality livestock — a crucial factor in the sport’s integrity and excitement.
A Legacy of Cowboy Spirit
Since its founding in 1897, Cheyenne Frontier Days has been known as the “Daddy of ’em All” — the largest and oldest outdoor rodeo and western celebration in the world. Over a century later, it continues to represent the very heart of Western culture, combining tradition, sport, and community pride.
This year’s recognition solidifies Cheyenne Frontier Days’ commitment not only to entertainment but also to the ethical treatment and world-class care of rodeo animals. Partnering with Smith Pro Rodeos and the Samuelson Family, the organization maintains an unwavering dedication to animal welfare and performance excellence.
The Heartbeat Behind the Arena
Behind the roaring crowds and dust-filled arena, there’s an entire operation focused on the well-being of every horse. North of Cheyenne lies a vast sanctuary where the CFD bucking stock can roam freely, rest, and recover. This environment — calm, natural, and far from the bustle of Frontier Park — ensures that the animals remain in peak physical and mental condition.
The CFD livestock team works closely with veterinarians and specialists to ensure each animal receives the highest level of care. These horses aren’t just part of the show — they are athletes in their own right. Their strength, agility, and spirit define the essence of rodeo.
The Art of Bucking Horses
The Remuda Award celebrates the artistry of bucking horses — the stars of the arena who make every ride unpredictable and thrilling. From the moment the chute opens, both cowboy and horse share an eight-second dance of power and balance. The quality of the stock is crucial to fair competition, and the CFD’s horses are known across the PRCA circuit for their consistency, athleticism, and heart.
Honoring the Team Effort
Receiving the PRCA Remuda Award reflects not only the skill of the animals but also the dedication of countless people: the ranch hands who feed and train them, the veterinarians who oversee their health, and the rodeo producers who coordinate every performance.
“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition,” a CFD representative said. “It’s a testament to our ongoing commitment to the sport of rodeo, to the cowboys who ride here, and to the animals that make it all possible.”
Looking Ahead to Las Vegas
The official presentation of the award will take place on December 3, 2025, at the PRCA Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, ahead of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The event will gather the sport’s most respected names — from world champions to livestock contractors — celebrating a season of triumph, hard work, and heritage.
For Cheyenne Frontier Days, this recognition isn’t just an award — it’s a reminder of their legacy. Every summer, the historic arena becomes a meeting place of generations: cowboys chasing dreams, fans reliving memories, and horses whose thunder still shakes the Wyoming soil.
As the sun sets over the Wyoming plains, one thing remains unchanged — the spirit of the West is alive and well at Cheyenne Frontier Days.