ProRodeo Sports News - Sept.15, 2023

L ongtime stock contractor John Growney had a vision. Growney wanted to have 1987 PRCA Bull Riding World Champion Lane Frost match up with his Don Kish and Growney Brothers Rodeo’s 1987 PRCA Bull of the Year Red Rock, in a best-of-seven matchup at seven rodeos across the country. That vision became a reality when all the stars aligned, and the Challenge of Champions took place in the summer of 1988. The final matchup between Frost and Red Rock took place July 25, 1988, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Frost won the Challenge of Champions 4-3, which is an amazing feat considering Red Rock had a perfect 311-0 record against cowboys before the Challenge of Champions. Fast-forward just over 35 years later to take a trip down memory lane about the historic event, which helped skyrocket the popularity of rodeo. “It is like a whole combination of things that had to happen to make it happen,” Growney said. “Then all things that happened afterwards because it happened. It blows your mind. I tell everybody, I think God wrote this story and we just had to let it play out. Lane had to win the world championship and Red Rock had to be bucking bull of the year. Red Rock was getting older, and he could have been ridden by any number of guys. We also knew Lane had a chance to win a world championship, but we probably would not have done this (Challenge of Champions) if Lane had not won the world championship and Red Rock had been ridden because it would have taken the hype away. “I think God wrote this story. I think he had a plan.” Lane Frost took on Red Rock in the Challenge of Champions 35 years ago Memory Lane Sue Rosoff photo Lane Frost shows love for the fans in Spanish Fork, Utah, after riding Red Rock on July 25, 1988, to break a tie and win the Challenge of the Champions. The final score was Frost 4, Red Rock 3.

BY TRACY RENCK

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ProRodeo Sports News 9/15/2023

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