Oregon bull rider Lane Vaughan sweeps early rounds at 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — For Vaughan residents following the summer rodeo circuit, a namesake is making headlines south of the border. Lane Vaughan of Klamath Falls, Oregon, delivered one of the standout performances during the opening days of the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days, securing top marks on back-to-back rides and positioning himself for a push toward the sport’s year-end finale.
The 21-year-old bull rider stayed aboard both of his draws to begin the famed Wyoming rodeo, including an 83-point ride on Saturday aboard Smith Pro Rodeos’ Lighthouse Keeper. With no other qualified rides that performance, he collected the full day’s payout of $6,100. Combined with his winning effort on Friday, Vaughan has amassed more than $8,000 at Cheyenne and will return for the semifinals next week.
Before Cheyenne opened, Vaughan sat 14th in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world standings. A strong finish here could be pivotal, improving his chances of earning a first appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December, where world championships are decided. His recent form follows a productive collegiate season: riding for Western Texas College in Snyder, he finished as the reserve champion at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., in June, then graduated with a welding credential.
Vaughan’s progression traces back to youth events — beginning on sheep, then calves and steers — before stepping up to bulls. Cheyenne’s early rounds have now put him in a strong position heading into the week’s final stages. For local readers, the development offers a window into how early-summer results can shift the PRCA leaderboard and set athletes up for end-of-year contention.
Cheyenne Frontier Days also produced other notable runs in the women’s ranks. Barrel racer Tayla Moeykens of Three Forks, Mont., who placed second at the event last year, returned with a familiar partner, her eight-year-old gelding KN Fames Best Yet (“Yeti”). As she explained of her horse’s comfort in the Wyoming venue:
“He just really likes Cheyenne.”
While the results for later rounds will determine the final standings, the opening weekend underscored the stakes for athletes targeting major-money rodeos to bolster their positions ahead of the NFR cut. For Vaughan, adding to his early-week earnings would further consolidate his ranking during a critical midseason stretch.
By the numbers: Vaughan’s Cheyenne start
| Performance | Result | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday (Opening performance) | First place | Not specified | Not specified |
| Saturday | Only qualified bull ride | 83 points | $6,100 |
| Total so far | — | — | Over $8,000 |
What to watch next
- Semifinals next week: Vaughan advances after leading the first two performances.
- PRCA standings impact: Additional Cheyenne earnings could lift him from 14th and edge him closer to a first NFR qualification.
Cheyenne Frontier Days, a marquee stop with a long history on the North American rodeo calendar, continues through next week. Final results will clarify whether Vaughan’s opening-round momentum translates into a breakthrough win and a decisive jump in the world standings.
