GUYMON, Okla. – The best stock contractors in ProRodeo do more than just provide great bucking stock, and that’s a big reason why Freedom, Oklahoma-based Frontier Rodeo has been named the PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year each of the past seven seasons.

It comes down to the overall product. Like any business, there’s a great back story when it comes to evaluating the consistency and greatness of a livestock producer, and there is something special when it comes down to Frontier Rodeo.

The award is voted on by PRCA members, which just adds to the prestige. It’s based on the livestock, the company’s professionalism and its production of the rodeos it assembles. That’s been the case for Frontier ever since it took the reins at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena.

“We have a long history of excellent rodeo production and a trust in our stock contractor, and that hasn’t changed with Frontier,” said Jeremy Carman, chairman of the volunteer committee that organizes the annual rodeo. “We’re glad to have Heath (Stewart) and his crew as part of our team. They do an amazing job.”

Record crowds saw that first hand in 2021. Not only did Frontier showcase a first-class rodeo to locals last May, but the event was shown nationwide on The Cowboy Channel. What added to the flavor is that Stewart brought in other stock contractors to help provide for a better experience with the bucking horses and bulls.

“I usually bring in a couple of other stock contractors,” said Stewart, Frontier’s general manager. “It just makes the stock better. I want the cowboys to come to the rodeo and know they have a chance to win. Normally there are not a lot of rodeos going on the week of Guymon, so you get a slew of contestants.”

Frontier has a big herd of excellent athletic animals, but he knows the cowboys and fans in the Oklahoma Panhandle expect something special when it comes to a showcase of bucking beasts. A year ago, the three roughstock events were won on animals from different stock contractors: Bareback rider Caleb Bennett won on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Freckled Frog; saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell earned the title on Dakota Rodeo’s Jimmy; and bull rider Laramie Mosley earned his first Guymon trophy belt on Frontier’s County Jail.

“When you go up against those guys, you’re going up against the best,” Stewart said. “It makes it that much more exciting for everyone involved. I like bringing in sub-contractors to make rodeos better, but I don’t leave any of our good ones at home either.”