Congratulations to Steve Woolsey for winning his first CFD title after riding three bulls for 245 points including a 91-point ride in the championship round. Over the years I’ve become friends with the 2000 World Champion Bull Rider, Cody Hancock. Cody proved once again that he is a contender recording an 85- point ride on Sunday and ultimately a second place finish overall.
Cheyenne Frontier Days is undoubtedly the most prestigious rodeo in the world. 2008 marked my seventh year to fight bulls at CFD and each year the western celebration improves. CFD has been named the PRCA’s Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year nine times and what an honor it is to be just a small part of their success.
In the 112th edition of CFD, Jesse Bail made perhaps the best ride I’ve seen him make when he turned in a 91-point ride in the first round to earn $6,300 for eight seconds of work. NFR qualifier J.W. Harris rode a previously unridden Thomas Taylor bucking bull for 86 points. Perhaps the most sentimental moment came when Jay Marrow made a qualified ride on a bull renamed for Cheyenne resident Hunter Jones. Despite the fact Hunter is fighting cerebral palsy he attends CFD every year. But it’s his smile that is contagious and his smile that has made him a big hit among CFD bull riders. After Jay’s successful ride, Hunter autographed Jay’s CFD Day Sheet. Jay might not have won the CFD championship but he will always remember the smile Hunter Jones had when he made a successful ride. Now that is priceless.
I knew Sunday was going to be a busy day for me and my wife, Jamie. We had to hustle from Frontier Park to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Stadium in Denver in order to make the Colorado Rapids game Sunday evening. There weren’t too many minutes to spare but we did end up arriving on time. Jamie had the truck running and I sprinted from the rodeo arena to the pickup as soon as the last bull bucked. I threw my gear bag in the back and made a mad dash for the back seat as Jamie spun out.
Cheyenne’s CBS 5 had previously done an interview with me regarding how busy Sunday was going to be but it wasn’t until the moment we pulled away that I felt the pressure to be on time.
At 7p.m. we got to the stadium with not a minute to spare. We were escorted onto the field where I was to meet with the Rapids team captain, Pablo Mastroeni (No. 25), and then participate in the coin toss.
After my duties as the Honorary Team Captain were complete Jamie and I enjoyed watching the game and learning more about my now favorite MLS Team, the Rapids. I have to say, the Rapids fans take the game seriously and aren’t afraid to let the referees know how they feel when a call doesn’t go their way. MLS is intense and action packed. It’s not just a bunch of people chasing a ball. I’m now an official soccer fan and can’t wait to return for another game.
While sitting on the bench getting ready to meet Pablo I told Jamie I think I could play this game. That’s something you most likely wouldn’t hear from Mastroeni should Pablo come to CFD next year to watch me in action.
Forever West,
Jeremy
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