Bull fighters & Barrel men: keeping cowboys safe at Frontier Days

Meet the Bullfighters and barrel men on duty at the 110th Cheyenne Frontier Days.

BULLFIGHTERS

Captain Jeremy Sparks

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From: Cheyenne, Wyo.

Height: 6 feet, 3 inches

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Weight: 170 pounds

Education: University of Central Arkansas (Conway), University of Arkansas (Monticello), bachelor’s degree in communications

Employment: Officer in the U.S. Air Force

Outfit: polyester shirts, black socks.

Web site: http://www.jeremysparks.com.

Rodeo History: PRCA since 2000

Achievements: Only PRCA bullfighter who is also an active duty military member; Cheyenne Frontier Days bullfighter, 2002-current; College National Finals Rodeo bullfighter, 2005; Military World Finals Bullfighter, 2002, 2005; Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association World Finals bullfighter, 2001-04; International Champion Bullfighter, Cheongodo Bullfighting Festival (South Korea), 2002, 2005, 2006; NFR Bucking Stock Sale bullfighter, 2000; NFR Binion’s Bullfight, 2000; PRCA Mountain States Circuit, three time, Top-4 bullfighter.

Darrell Diefenbach

From: Azle, Texas

Height: 5 feet, 9 inches

Weight: 165 pounds.

Education: Maryborough T.A.F.E. (Australia).

Rodeo History: PRCA since 1998

Employment: Builder

Outfit: red shirt, red and blue bandanas, black hat, black, white and red makeup.

Achievements: DNCFR bullfighter, 2001-02; Pace Picante ProRodeo Chute-out (Las Vegas) specialty act, 2001, bullfighter, 2002, 2004; Pace Picante ProRodeo Classic (Dallas) bullfighter, 2003-05; California Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfighter, 2000-01; Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfighter, 2001; National Rodeo Association of Australia Bullfighter of the Year, 1997; Australian world champion bullfighter, 1996-97; Houston, Texas, 2005-06; Fort Worth 2005-06; Calgary Stampede 2004-06.

Mike Matt

From: Arlington, Ariz.

Height: 5 feet, 9 inches

Weight: 165 pounds.

Education: Dickinson (N.D.) State University, Western Montana College (Dillon), bachelor’s degree in biology and physical education.

Rodeo History: PRCA since 1994

Outfit: black taped shoes, baggies, straw hat, white makeup.

Achievements: Cheyenne Frontier Days, 2004-05; Wrangler NFR specialty act, 2004; Wrangler world champion bullfighter, 1996-97, 2000; Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals, 1995-98, 2000; Copenhagen Cup Finale (Las Vegas) bullfighter, 2000; DNCFR bullfighter 1996; Canadian National Finals bullfighter, 1996; Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfight qualifier; Indian National Finals bullfighter, 1994-95; George Strait/Wrangler commercial, 1995; Mountain States Circuit Finals bullfighter, 1995; All Frontier Conference defensive back, 1992-93.

BARREL MEN

Frankie “Punkintown” Smith

From: Easley, S.C.

Rodeo History: PRCA since 1998

Employment: cowboy ministry and motivational speaker

Outfit: multi-colored hats, wild shirts, baggies, clown face

Web site: http://www.punkintown.com

Achievements: International Country Gospel Music Association, Comedian of the Year (1997-99), Entertainer of the Year (1997), Dodge Worlds Toughest Rodeo, 2005-06, Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge, 2005, Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Barrelman, 2004.

Cody Sosebee

From: Charleston, Ark.

Education: Southern Arkansas University, bachelor’s in agricultural business

Rodeo History: PRCA since 2003

Employment: ranching

Outfit: flame shirts, baggies, black felt hat, new style jerseys, board shorts

Achievements:, 1991 IPRA Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year, 1993 IPRA Bareback Riding World Champion, 1998 IPRA Clown of the Year, High-Point Ride at IFRs 22, 24, 25, 26, and 28.