Casper claims first Pioneer Days title, while Pope earns his 3rd
GUYMON, Okla. – There was a time a few years ago that Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo featured short-round Sunday.
There was a touch of reflection during the final performance of this year’s event, with five of the 10 champions crowned Sunday afternoon. It’s a reminder of why this event was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame 10 years ago.
Just as it was when Robert, Dan and Billy Etbauer and their friend, Craig Latham, were dominating bronc riding, the forces came together in 2025 to create a showcase in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper – fresh off his National Finals Rodeo average championship in 2024 – won Guymon for the first time in his career, while bareback rider Jess Pope took the crown for the third time in four years.
“I knew I had a pretty good chance to win this year,” said Casper, who was raised just 40 minutes from Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena in the tiny hamlet of Balko, Oklahoma.
Casper rode Vold Rodeo’s Gossip Girl for 88.5 points to and collect his first Pioneer Days Rodeo trophy belt, a unique prize in ProRodeo. He also snagged $3,920
“Gossip Girl has been good, and the guys have been high scores on her all last year and the year before,” said Casper, 28, of Miami, Texas, 110 miles south of Guymon in the Texas Panhandle. “I was coming up here pretty confident that we had a pretty good horse.”
Pope was in the same boat. He first won Guymon in 2022 when he rode Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire for 91 points. He shared the championship a year ago with Dean Thompson, the reigning world champion; Thompson was 90 on Gun Fire, and Pope matched that score on Frontier’s Breaking News.
The good news for the 2022 titlist and five-time NFR qualifier was that he was being matched with electric black horse again. When the dust settled Sunday afternoon, it was valued at 90.5 points and $3,514.
“She’s just a unique animal,” Pope said. “Before Breaking News came around, I don’t think there was any other animals that were as unique as (C5 Rodeo’s) Virgil and Gun Fire. I’ve been fortunate enough to get on both of those horses. I’ve been on Gun Fire like six times, and I’ve been on Breaking News three times now.
“Every time she jumps in the air, there’s so much electricity coming through your feet that you have to hustle the whole time, but at the same time, it feels just like what a bareback horse is supposed to feel like. She’s just a super special animal.”
Pope isn’t too bad himself. He’s a three-time NFR average champion who won that prestigious title 2020-’22.
“I believe that I’m one of the best bareback riders that’s ever been in the sport, and I carry myself to that standard,” he said. “I make myself have to try to be that good, but me believing that I’m that good forces me to go out and perform like that. If I don’t, I’m very mad at myself, and so it just makes me want to do it even more.”
That’s what it takes to be an elite athlete, especially in rodeo. Casper has been in that capacity for several years. Like Pope, he’s been to the NFR every year since 2020. Last year, he earned $439,332 and finished third in the world standings. He’s 11th on the money list with nearly $53,000 in 2025 earnings but should move up a bit with his win on his home turf.
“That feels good to finally get the win here,” Casper said. “I’ve placed second here before and maybe a couple of top 10s, but it’s great to get the win.”
The Oklahoma Panhandle has been home to champions for decades, and that continued this year.
Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo
May 2-4
All-around cowboy: Coleman Proctor, $6,375 in team roping and steer roping.
Bareback riding leaders: 1. Jess Pope, 90.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News, $3,514; 2. Cole Franks and Garrett Shadbolt, 88, $2,342; 4. (tie) Kashton Ford and Sam Petersen, 87, $1,054; 6. Bradlee Miller, 86.5, $586; 7. Clay Jorgenson, 86, $468; 8. Mason Stuller, 85, $351.
Team roping: First round: 1. Chet Weitz/Bryce Graves, 7.2 seconds, $2,484; 2. Laramie Allen/Kelby Frizell, 7.5, $2,160; 3. Tanner Green/Josh Patton, 7.7, $R1,836; 4. Zane Thompson/Chad Mathes, 8.1, $1,512; 5. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 8.7, $1,188; 6. (tie) Nick Sartain/Garrett Gorman and Carson Coffelt/Shane Jenkins, 9.0, $702 each; 8. Cameron Ritchey/Jesse Jolly, 9.1, $216. Second round: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 7.1 seconds, $2,484; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 7.2, $2,160; 3. Corben Culley/Trent Vaught, 7.3, $1,836; 4. Laramie Allen/Kelby Frizell, 7.5, $1,512; 5. Britton Grinstead/Scott Daily and Wyatt Bray/Paden Bray, 7,7, $1,026 each; 8. Jake Clay/Tanner Braden, 8.2, $216 each. Third round leaders: 1. Dalton Turner/Clay Clayman, 6.1 seconds, $2,484; 2. Chet Weitz/Bryce Graves, 6.6$2,160; 3. Korbin Rice/Cooper Freeman, 6.7, $1,836; 4. Jack Fischer/Cole Cooper, 7.2, $1,512; 5. Brandon Farris/Braden Harmon, 7.6, $1,188; 6. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 7.7, $864; ; 5. Jake Clay/Tanner Braden, 7.9, 540; 6. (tie) Curry Kirchner/Tyler McKnight and Jeff Flenniken/Buddy Hawkins, 8.9, $108 each. Average leaders: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 23.5 seconds on two runs, $3,726; 2. Jack Fischer/Cole Cooper, 25.3, $3,240; 3. Curry Kirchner/Tyler McKnight, 28.7, $2,754; 4. Chad Masters/Cory Petska, 30.6, $2,268; 5. Jake Clay/Tanner Braden, 30.9, $1,781; 6. Carson Coffelt/Thomas Jenkins, 31.2, $1,296; 7. Brandon Farris/Braden Harmon, 35.5, $810; 8. Jeff Flenniken/Buddy Hawkins, 36.4, $324.
Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Holden Myers, 3.6 seconds, $2,516; 2. Matt Reeves, 3.9, $2,188; 3. Royce Johnson, 4.0, $1,860; 4. Sam Goings, 4.1, $1,532; 5. Hazen Sparks, 4.4, $1,203; 6. Trace Harris, 4.5, $875; 7. Cody Devers, 4.6, $547; 8. Nick Guy, 4.7, $219. Second round: 1. Quint Bell, 3.6 seconds, $2,498; 2. Justin Shaffer, 4.0, $2,172; 3. (tie) Tyler Mann and Riley Westhaver, 4.1, $1,684 each; 5. (tie) Jason Thomas, Riley Duvall and Holden Myers, 4.2, $869; 8. Garrett Oates 4.3, $217; Third round leaders: 1. Justin Shaffer, 4.0 seconds, $2,498; 2. Shane Frey, 4.1, $2,172; 3. Cody Devers, 4.2, $1,847; 4. Riley Duvall, 4.4, $1,521; 5. Jace Melvin, 4.5, $1,195; 6. Matt Reeves, 4.7, $869; 7. (tie) Bridger Anderson and Rooster Yazzi, 4.9, $380 each. Average leaders: 1. Holden Myers, 13.0 seconds on two runs, $3,747; 2. Matt Reeves, 13.2, $3,259. 3. Justin Shaffer, 13.4, 2,769; 4. Cody Devers, 14.5, $2,281; 5. Rooster Yazzi, 14.9, $1,792; 6. Sam Goings, 15.0, $1,303; 7. Trace Harris, 15.1, $815; 8. Tyler Mann, 15.2, $326.
Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Wyatt Casper, 88.5 points on Vold Rodeo’s Gossip Girl, $3,920; 2. Rusty Wright, 86.5, $3,005; 3. (tie) Coleman Shallbetter, Shorty Garrett and Brody Wells, 86, $1,524; 6. Zac Dallas, 85.5, $653; 7. Darcy Radel, 85, $523; 8. Kade Bruno, 83.5, $392.
Breakaway roping: First round: 1. Aspen Miller, 2.2 seconds, $2,127; 2. Lari Dee Guy, 2.6, $1,850; 3. Haiden Thompson, 2.7, $1,572; 4. Bradi Good, 2.8, $2,195; 5. (tie) Brooke Ladner, Hailey Hall and Abby Cos, 3.3, $1,295 each; 8. Shalee King and Alyssa Bigon, 3.0, $92 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Mataya Eklund and TiAda Gray, 2.9 seconds, $1,988 each; 3. Taylor Munsell, 3.2, $1,572; 4. Bailey Coates, 3.3, $1,295; 5. Timber Allenbrand, 3.4, $1,017; 6. (tie) Kashly Van Petten and Aspen Miller, 3.5, $601 each; 8. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli-Meged and Kendal Pierson, 3.8, $92 each. Third round leaders: 1. Aspen Miller, 2.4 seconds, $2,127; 2. Beau Peterson, 2.8, $1,850; 3. Kaydin Finan, 2.9, $1,572; 4. Taylor Raupe, 3.0, $1,295; 5. (tie) Erin Johnson and Bailey Bates, 3.2, $879 each; 7. Timber Allenbrand, 3.3, $462; 8. (tie) Amanda Terrell and Molly Hamilton, 3.5, $92 each. Average leaders: 1. Aspen Miller, 8.1 seconds on three runs, $3,191; 2. Taylor Raupe, 10.2, $2,775; 3. Bailey Bates, 10.4, $2,358; 4. (tie) Beau Peterson Kaydin Finan and Timber Allenbrand, 10.8, $1,526 each; 7. Shalee King, 11.0, $694; 8. (tie) Lari Dee Guy and Bradi Good, 11.2, $139 each; 6. Abby Cox, 11.6; 7. Erin Johnson, 11.7; 8. Taylor Munsell, 12.6
Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Cole Clemons, 7.4 seconds, $3,892; 2. Zane Kilgus, 7.8, $3,384; 3. Seth Hall, 7.9, $2,876; 4. (tie) Haven Meged and Bryce Derrer, $2,115 each; 6. Paden Bray, 8.2, $1,354; 7. Cash Fuesz, 8.3, $846; 8. (tie) Jarvis Demery and Tyler Boxleitner,8.4, $169 each. Second round: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 7.3 seconds, $3,892; 2. J.T. Adamson, 7.5, $3,384. 3. Sam Ward, 8.1, $2,876; 4. Dalton Porch, 8.3, $2,369; 5. Joel Harris, 8.4, $1,861; 6. (tie) Tom Simpson, Dylan Hancock and Nick Achile, 8.5, $846. Third round leaders: 1. Kyan Wilhite, 7.1 seconds, $3,892; 2. Lane Livingston, 7.9, $3,384; 3. Joel Harris, 8.0, $2,876; 4. Quade Hiatt, $2,369; 5. Landyn Duncan, 8.2, $1,861; 6. Cole Clemons, 8.3, $1,354; 7. Austin Lawrence, 8.5, $848; 8. (tie) Blane Cox and Zane Kilgus, 8.6, $169 each. Average leaders: 1. Cole Clemons, 24.7 seconds on three runs, $5,837; 2. Zane Kilgus, 25.4, $5,076; Kyan Wilhite, 25.5, $4,315; 4. Joel Harris, 25.6, $3,553; 5. Ryan Jarrett, 26.4, $2,792; 6. Cash Fuesz, 27.2, $3,030; 7. Quade Hiatt, 27.4, $1,269; 8. Cash Enderli, 27.7, $508.
Barrel racing: 1. Wenda Johnson, 17.31 seconds, $5,258; 2. Leslie Smalygo, 17.38, $4,207; 3. Summer Kosel, 17.46, $3,418; 4. Julie Plourde, 17.53, $2,629; 5. Emily Beisel, 17.60, $2,103; 6. (tie) Alex Lang and McKinlee Paschal, 17.76, $1,446 each; 8. Keyla Costa, 17.77, $1,183; 9. (tie) Katelyn Scott and Kim Squires, 17.78, $986 each; 11. Jymmy Cox, 17.84, $789; 12. Katie Chism, 17.85, $657; 13. (tie) Paige Jones and Kallie Gates, 17.89, $460 each; 15. Gracen Harman, 17.90, $263.
Steer roping: First round: 1. Coleman Proctor, 11.0 seconds, $1,701; 2. Thomas Smith, 11.3, $1,479; 3. Trenton Johnson, 12.3, $1,257; 4. Chet Herren, 12.6, $1,035; 5. Will Eddleman, 12.7, $813; 6. Laramie Allen, 13.0, $592; 7. Stetson Vest, 13.2, $370; 8. Cody Lee, 13.4, $148. Second round: 1. Kelton McMillen, 10.7 seconds, $1,701; 2. Neal Wood, 11.3, $1,479; 3. (tie) Jake Clay and Jate Saults, 11.4, $1,146 each; 5. Tyler Hargrave, 11.5, $813; 6. Ora Taton, 12.1, $592; 7. Corey Ross, 12.3, $370; 8. Tyler Waters, 12.6, $148. Third round: 1. Cole Patterson, 9.6 seconds, $1,701; 2. Brodie Poppino, 10.6, $1,479; 3. Blake Deckard, 11.0, $1,257; 4. Chisum Allen, 11.4, $1,035; 5. (tie) Dustin Bassett, Tyler Hargrave and Ryan Willberg, 11.5, $592 each; 8. Thomas Smith, 11.7, $148. Fourth round: 1. Slade Wood, 10.6 seconds, $1,701; 2. Laramie Allen, 10.8, $1,479; 3. Will Eddleman, 12.3, $1,257; 4. Brodie Poppino, 12.8, $1,035; 5. Jake Clay, 12.9, $813; 6. Ryan Willberg, 13.3, $592; 7. Chad Mathis, 13.7, $370; 8. Martin Poindexter, 13.8, $148. Average: 1. Will Eddleman, 50.9 seconds on four head, $3,402; 2. Thomas Smith, 51.9, $2,958; 3. Coleman Proctor, 54.5, $2,514; 4. Tyler Hargrave, 57.6, $2,071; 5. Tony Reina, 58.1, $1,627; 6. Ketch Kelton, 62.7, $1,183; 7. Jess Tierney, 72.0, $739; 8. Blake Deckard, 75.0, $296.
Bull riding leaders: 1. Lukasey Morris, 88.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Flower Moon, $3,976; 2. Thayne Elshere and Qynn Andersen, 84.5, $2,651 each; 4. Jesse Hopper, 83, $1,458; 5. Ethan Skogquist, 81, $928; 6. Mossy Waite and Jate Frost, 80.5, $596 each; 8. Lane Vaughan, 78.5, $398.