Josh Frost and Showdown Sunday, a rodeo at the Calgary Stampede, have a love-hate relationship.
The Randlett, Utah-based bull rider, 29, enjoys competing on the last day of the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth, but he detests the fact that he has gone to the finals three times and has ended up in the sobbing hole each time.
Frost, who has again qualified to go to Sunday’s bull-riding finals, said, “I have made (the final12) three times—rode my bull and ended up fifth all three times, and they take the top four to the Showdown.”
“Well, Calgary has always been very kind to me, but I haven’t had a bull that is rank enough in that 12-man round to get to the final four.”
Taking part in Pool B from Monday through Wednesday, Frost earned $8,333.33 in earnings and tied for fourth place with Maple Creek, Saskatchewan’s Jared Parsonage, the reigning Stampede champion.
On Tuesday, the two tied for first place with identical 84-point performances. On Monday and Wednesday, both were knocked from their bulls, resulting in a tie that was settled by a coin flip, which Frost prevailed in.
“The Calgary Stampede is one of the first rodeos that comes to mind when people ask me what my favorite rodeo is,” said Frost, who will have an even greater fondness for the yearly spectacular if he manages to win the $50,000 top prize.
As far as regular-season rodeos go, nowhere compares to Calgary. One of the largest tourist attractions that I have ever visited is a rodeo, actually. And it’s on par with any professional event I’ve ever attended.
And what needs to happen for the bull rider who is currently rated first in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Ram World Standings to achieve his objective? Frost remarked,
“I just need to draw a better bull.” “You know, I’ve completed my work each year. If you receive a score with 12 guys, you will typically place in the top four.
However, every single time I’ve been in the finals, everyone has rode incredibly well, and I’ve just been out by half a point to a point.
Frost traveled directly south of the border to compete in the NFR Open sponsored by RAM at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after spending three days earlier this week in Calgary. His 87.5-point ride atop Wolf of Wallstreet, the sole qualified ride of the evening, earned him $7,500 on Friday. He was one of the top three qualifiers to move on to Saturday night’s NFR Open championship round, even though he was defeated by Big Wave the next afternoon. Consequently, he will have to up early to catch a 6 a.m. flight back to Calgary.
Fans of rodeo will notice that when Frost competes, he conspicuously displays a patch on his shirt that promotes LaneFrost.com. Professional bull rider Lane was a champion, having taken home the 1987 PRCA bull riding title. The life and accomplishments of Lane, who tragically died on July 30, 1989, after a bull-riding accident at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in Wyoming, are the subject of the 1994 film 8 seconds, starring Luke Perry.
Josh, Lane’s second cousin, said, “We try to keep Lane’s legacy alive — it gives little kids somebody to look up to.” “The whole family has a long-standing rodeo history. This custom, known as the Lane Frost Brand, was established by Lane’s nephew, Stetson Frost, purely as a memory aid. They are a sponsor to aid me along the way because they sell products. He was a wonderful guy in addition to being a fantastic bull rider. While he was living, he had a great impact on many individuals. Being a part of that family is something I’m very proud of.
