ProRodeo Sports News - August 4, 2023

By Tanner Barth & Tracy Renck

Lord collects 2nd Cheyenne buckle Eli Lord knows what it takes to be successful at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. The Sturgis, S.D., steer wrestler captured the coveted title for the first time in 2019. Fast forward four years and it was déjà vu at Frontier Park for the 29-year-old. He added his second buckle with a 5.9-second run in the finals, edging out Tristan Martin by seven-tenths of a second. Lord said winning the Daddy of ‘em All has always been a goal and his second title feels just as good as the first. “It really is surreal to win Cheyenne,” said Lord. “I’ve been coming to this rodeo since before I could remember. There are pictures of me here when I couldn’t even walk yet. It’s been my favorite rodeo forever. I remember sitting here growing up and watching, thinking man I sure hope I can do this someday. It feels just as good the second time as it did the first time.” Lord was the second cowboy to go in an eight-man field of contestants in the finals. He admits even though the nerves can be there, going early in the performance doesn’t bother him much. “Honestly, in a tournament style rodeo, where it’s a one header and the fastest time wins, I would rather go at the beginning,” he said. “You can get it out of the way, set the pace, and let everybody else try to come get you. It is a little bit nerve-racking sitting over there while everyone else goes though, I will admit that.” He was quick to credit the horse underneath him and the hazer by his side for the win. “So much of it here is the horse you ride and the person you have hazing for you,” Lord said. “Allen Good hazed for me and I rode his son Carson Good’s horse (Mario). I was lucky enough that he sent him down here with his dad just for me to ride. He worked great all weekend here for me.”

Jason Suntych photo Steer wrestler Eli Lord found glory again at the Cheyenne Frontier Days with his 5.9-second winning run July 30 at Frontier Park.

Luke Potter accomplishes Cheyenne dream

Luke Potter is in his fifth season of ProRodeo. Each year he has finished inside the top 30 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings but fell just short of his goal of qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He hopes his performance at the 2023 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo points him in the right direction. In front of a big crowd, the Maple City, Kan., tie-down roper clocked a 10.6-second run to walk away with the coveted rodeo win. “I don’t think it’s really set in all the way yet,” said Potter, 23. “I’ve dreamed of something like this ever since I was a little kid when my dad roped here. To get this opportunity and for it to go well is pretty special.” The roping setup in Cheyenne is unique in the sport. The score is much longer than most setups, with the calf getting a 20-foot head start. Potter said it’s key to be patient when it comes to roping at the Daddy of ‘em All. “You know it can be tricky. My goal was to try and get a pretty good start, but not break the barrier,” he said. “I knew my calf was going to be really good and I just wanted to make sure I got around her and stayed out of her way, so I could win something.” He accomplished all of this on a horse that he bought just days before the finals. “My horses name is Katniss, I just bought her a few days before the rodeo actually,” Potter said. “I rode one of my good friends’ horses in the slack earlier this week. Then I bought her Wednesday, rode her in the perf on Thursday and here in the finals. “The way she worked wasn’t totally surprising. I got to ride her last week, and everything went pretty well. So, the confidence was there coming into this. Now, I got to pay for her, so I have a little extra motivation to win on her I guess.”

Click Thompson photo Tie-down roper Luke Potter acknowledges the crowd after win ning the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo for the first time.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/4/2023

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