GUYMON, Okla. – The biggest moment of Dean Thompson’s career came a year ago when he arrived in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
Matched with Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, the 2022 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year, Thompson let it all hang out at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. The result was a 92.5-point ride to win the bareback riding and bolster the rookie’s confidence, which was paid off with his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo.
“It’s going to be tough to be over 92.5 ever,” said Thompson of Altamont, Utah. “You don’t get that many chances to get on that caliber of horse. You get that opportunity just going to Guymon that you can get on a horse that is a career-defining moment. When I look at guys like Kaycee Feild and Will Lowe, guys that we idolize, it’s crazy because you know Guymon is going to be one of the rodeos to give you a chance to do that.”
There are other moments awaiting at this year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Why?
Because Frontier, the event’s primary livestock producer, is a nine-time PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year. More importantly, the Freedom, Oklahoma-based outfit brings other contractors to town, including Championship Pro Rodeo and Vold Rodeo Co. Combined, the three companies accounted for one-tenth of the 300 head of bucking stock that was selected to perform at the 2023 NFR.
“I think it shows some class that Frontier brings in other stock contractors to a rodeo like Guymon,” said saddle bronc rider Weston Patterson of Waverly, Kansas, a three-time Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier who attended Clarendon College in the Texas Panhandle. “They’re not afraid to bring their best ones and have everybody else bring their best ones.
“It makes for an even pen when you have multiple stock contractors bringing their best stuff.”
It also makes for some fantastic action, and it’s one of the reasons why the top cowboys in the game make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle every spring. It’s “Where the Champions Come to Play the First Weekend in May.”
“It’s not just the stock that Frontier brings; it’s also the show they put on,” said Thompson, who finished the 2023 campaign 13th in the world standings; he is eighth so far this season. “Walking away from that experience I had in Guymon last year, I’m so much more mature, so much better of a bareback rider and a much better person.”
Patterson is 38th on the bronc riding money list and knows he can use his experience in Guymon as a catapult both regionally and in the world standings.
“Last year was my first year to go to Guymon, and it’s a great rodeo,” he said. “We love going to Frontier rodeos. The crew is a blast; they’re good people and good to be around, and they haul some of the best stock in rodeo. Atmosphere at their rodeos is outstanding and always has good energy.
“That’s what us cowboys thrive on.”