Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame showcases individuals, livestock and organizations whose distinctive contributions to Cheyenne Frontier Days have helped grow one man's dream into "The Daddy of 'em All." ®

Whether contestants, contract personnel, entertainers, livestock, organizations, families or volunteers, those voted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame represent the wonderful competitive and cooperative spirit that has remained the hallmark of Cheyenne Frontier Days since 1897. Members of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum at the Associate Level (and above) vote for each class of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.

Click here to download a Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Class of 2009 Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame

The votes are in and it’s time to celebrate the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Class of 2009!  Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the people that have helped shape Cheyenne Frontier Days in to the “Daddy of ‘em All.”  The induction ceremony will take place Friday, September 11th at 5:00 PM in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. Seating is limited and advanced reservations are required.

To be a part of this great event please call 778-1490.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Class of 2009

Hadley Barrett     Hadley Barrett began announcing the rodeos at Cheyenne Frontier Days mid-rodeo in 1989 when Chuck Parkison died unexpectedly.  Hadley was called and announced the rodeo the next day.  He filled in admirably with little preparation time.  His duties, including announcing the rodeo action, was to play straight man to rodeo clown Quail Dobbs.  His style was easy, entertaining and very professional.  Always open to new ideas, Hadley had respect for Cheyenne traditions and was an asset to Cheyenne Frontier Days.  He announced the afternoon rodeos from 1989 through 2000.  Hadley is a four-time PRCA announcer of the year and in 1999 he became one of only five announcers to be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. 

Buddy Bensmiller          Buddy Bensmiller is one of the greatest chuckwagon racers of all time.  He holds many titles, including eight-time Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association champion, World Champion Chuckwagon racer in 1997 and 2001 and five-time title holder at the Calgary Stampede.  In Cheyenne, Buddy has earned the Chuckwagon Racing Championship 9 times.  He also holds the record time in the chuckwagon races, 1:09:36.  Buddy hails from Dewberry, Alberta, Canada. 

Shirley Churchill          Shirley Holmes Churchill has been working in the Cheyenne Frontier Days arena on horseback at every performance since 1975.  She was a Dandy for three years, became Lady-in-Waiting in 1978 and Miss Frontier in 1979.  In 1980, Shirley became Miss Rodeo Wyoming, the only former Miss Frontier to go on to win this title.  Don Kensinger hired her in 1981 to run the roping stock at Cheyenne Frontier Days.  The first woman in this position, Shirley was responsible for feeding and running the roping stock out of the arena during the rodeo.  With long days and many hours, Shirley demonstrates her love for Cheyenne and the rodeo year after year.

Floyd and Diane Humphrey          Both Floyd and Diane were raised in Cheyenne and have life long commitments to Cheyenne Frontier Days.  Diane joined the W-Heels organization in 1982 and became a mounted Parade Marshall in 1985.  Floyd began his career at Frontier Days exercising the race horses.  He was an outrider for George Bruegman and was also a participant in the Wild Horse Race.  In 1983, as their daughters began riding for the Dandies.  Both Floyd and Diane took an active volunteer role with the group.  They donated their time driving the Dandy horses on long trips and donated their stock trailer for Cheyenne Frontier Days use.  After Arlene Kensinger’s retirement from the Dandies, Diane took on the responsibility as Director; coordinating their schedules, training them and making sure that the Dandies remain Cheyenne Frontier Days Goodwill Ambassadors.  She has been involved with the Dandies for over 20 years and has been Director for 12 years. Floyd has been Livestock Manager for Cheyenne Frontier Days for many years.  Some of his responsibilities include coordinating parade horses for Royalty and VIPs, working with the Contestants Chairman on the cattle drive and providing and hauling horses for the CFD Committee, VIPs, Press and of course, the Dandies.  Both have said that they could not do their jobs at Frontier Days without the other.  Both Floyd and Diane have given countless hours and dedication to make sure that Cheyenne Frontier Days looks its best every year.     

Charles “Sharkey” Irwin           A member of the famous Irwin Family, Charles "Sharkey" Irwin received his first horse at age 4.  His rodeo life grew on the Y6 Ranch, with the Irwin Brothers Wild West Show and at Cheyenne Frontier Days.  He was 15 when he first competed in Cheyenne, and was awarded the championship Saddle Bronc title in 1928 on a horse named "High Power".  He won the Saddle Bronc title at Pendleton in 1927 and the Roosevelt Trophy in 1928.  After 17 years of competitive bronc riding, Sharkey turned to the team roping event.  Sharkey was hailed as one of the oldest active competitors, continuing right up until his death at the age of 84.   

Dean Oliver             Born in 1929 in Dodge City, Kansas, Dean had little interest in rodeo until, as a grown man, he watched a man earn $300 in a few seconds roping a calf.  At considerable sacrifice to his family, he bought a roping horse and a practice calf and practiced in the dark after a full day of work.  He became World Champion Calf Roper in 1955, 1958, 1960 - 1964 and again in 1965.  He won two Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Calf Roping Championships in 1969 and 1974 and three World All - Around titles.  

Ned Murray          Ned Murray became a member of HEELS in 1962.  He served on the CFD Committee from 1964-1967.  As Parade Chairman, he started the antique vehicle section of the parade.  He found and restored the original Popcorn Wagon that now is part of the Old West Museum's collection.  As Night Show Chairman, Ned was instrumental in bringing big name entertainment to the Night Show.  One of Ned's greatest pleasures was hosting parties for the CFD Night Show entertainers and the Thunderbirds.  For many years, he hosted cocktail parties and milk can dinners at his "Peppermint Ranch" for the celebrities and CFD volunteers.  Ned helped with the business incorporation of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Inc. in 1992.  Ned had a lifelong commitment to CFD and was an original member of the Buckle Club. 

Phil Van Horn          Phil has served Cheyenne Frontier Days for over 25 years.  He served on the General Committee as Security Chairman from 1991 - 1993 and as General Chairman from 1995 through 1997.  During his tenure as General Chairman, CFD was recognized as the PRCA's "Large Rodeo of the Year" in 1995 and 1996.  During the 100th Anniversary celebration of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Phil not only directed the normal duties relating to the planning and implementing of the 10-day celebration, he had the additional responsibilities of assuring that the many anniversary events were planned and implemented on schedule.  As Chairman, he was instrumental in several upgrades on the park, including the construction of the new "C" stand, modernizing the parade staging area and enhancing and upgrading the water and sewer distribution lines.  Phil continued to serve Cheyenne Frontier Days on the Board of Directors for six years and on the CFD Old West Museum's Board of Directors for six years.  He continues to serve as a volunteer for Frontier Days, working on the Challenge Rodeo, hosting VIPs and serving the CFD Scholarship committee.   

Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Inductees: