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RELEASE DATE: Apr. 18, 2025

Guymon about to be ‘Rodeo Town’

GUYMON, Okla. – It’s been seven years since the committee that organizes the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo teamed with Freedom, Oklahoma-based Frontier Rodeo to produce the annual event, and that relationship isn’t ending anytime soon.

“We just signed a multiyear extension with Frontier on their contract,” said Ken Stonecipher, chairman of the volunteer organization, which will celebrate the 93^rd edition of Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena.

“Frontier being the 10-time and reigning PRCA Stock Contractor of the year says it all. On the production side, what I really appreciate about with Heath Stewart is that not only does he bring really good guys that know their jobs and know how to do them, but they are very customer-focused in terms of how the committee wants to run things. They are very easy to work with.”

The outfit has been named the PRCA’s top livestock producer each year for the past decade. In that span, Frontier is been named the Xtreme Bulls Stock Contractor of the Year three times. It also has earned two Remuda Awards for having the most even pen of bareback horses and saddle broncs.

The company has also had multiple animals receive some of the highest honors in ProRodeo, including PRCA Saddle Broncs of the Year Medicine Woman, a four-time winner, and Maple Leaf; and two Bareback Horses of the Year, Full Baggage, which won the title three times, and Gun Fire, which has helped cowboys to a share of the Guymon title each of the past three seasons.

The 2025 Pioneer Days Rodeo also marks the return of rodeo entertainer Robbie Hodges, who has been selected as the barrelman of the National Finals Rodeo and has been recognized as one of the top clowns in the sport for two decades.

“The best way to describe Robbie is that he’s just a lot of fun,” Stonecipher said. “He’s fun inside the arena; he’s fun outside the arena. He’s laid back and casual, which is why he fits our rodeo really well. He’s also a good guy to have on the crew, making appearances and being at different events in town. He helps us a lot with our promotion when he’s here.”

Hodges has a long history of working rodeos with the Frontier crew, so that helps with the collaborative efforts when it comes to production. A former bareback rider, he understands the balance it takes to work an event that is equal parts competition and entertainment. That combination of Frontier production and Hodges comedy works well together.

“A lot of times, we defer to the judgment of Frontier Rodeo when it comes to our event, because they’re professional and, obviously, they’re the best at it,” Stonecipher said. “With the caliber of bucking stock they bring, it doesn’t matter if you draw Friday night or Sunday afternoon, you’re going to get one you can win on.”

That means the four-performance rodeo should be exciting from start to finish. Longtime supporter Seaboard Foods noticed that years ago, which is why the local business has paved the way for every spectator to enjoy the Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon performances with free admission. It offers fans of all ages the chances to see great things happen inside Hitch Arena every year.

Having the Frontier brand as part of the Guymon rodeo experience is also why so many contestants will make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle this spring. A year ago, more than 1,100 cowboys and cowgirls were part of the competition.

“Frontier’s got the best bulls and horses in the game,” said Josh Frost, the reigning bull riding world champion and an Oklahoma Panhandle State University alumnus. “To go along with that, they put on one of the best productions you’ve ever seen. From their arena crew to the chute help to the pickup men, it’s as professional a production as there is out there.

“Everybody’s going to want to enter the rodeo, because they know the stock’s going to be good, and you’re going to have a chance to win regardless of what you draw.”

That’s exciting for the cowboys, the fans and the local volunteers that put in a year’s worth of work to present something special for this region. This is the culmination of many pieces of an excellent puzzle coming together. It’s why Pioneer Days Rodeo was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2015 and continues to be one of the elite events in the country.

“Frontier brings in other subcontractors to make sure the quality of livestock is good throughout all four performances,” Stonecipher said. “They’re just so easy to work with and so professional; it makes our job as volunteers a lot easier.”

Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo

Where Champions Come to Play the First Weekend in May

For information contact Ted Harbin, imteditor@gmail.com, (660) 254-1900