Cowboys Climb Over Fence for Troops

By American300 Public Affairs
Photo- Kaycee Feild, World Champion, Payson Utah, Undisclosed Base Middle East 2011

Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming-   Since 1897 cowboys have been drawn to Cheyenne, Wyoming for Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo events.   Considered one of the hallmark rodeos in the country with total attendance figures that rival a major NASCAR race weekend and a nearly 1 million dollar payout the Frontier Days Rodeo is a spectacle of western sport.

Earnings equal points... and points are how cowboys win a World Championship.

Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo is a 'must stop' on a cowboys pick of rodeos if they hope to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and World Championship titles that are awarded in Las Vegas, Nevada by the PRCA each December. 

The money is huge in Cheyenne...

With cash on the line and the best in the country choosing Cheyenne over smaller payout rodeos, it's hard to imagine a group of cowboys taking time to volunteer up hours of their 'downtime' to get behind the scenes at a base that borders the Frontier Days arena grounds, but, that is exactly what is happening this year.

Cowboys climbing over the fence for the troops...

"We come and compete in this rodeo every year knowing that it takes thousands of volunteers to pull it off" says Kaycee Feild, of Payson Utah, the current World Champion Bareback rider "... a group of us are going to go behind the scenes this year with the Airmen of F.E. Warren Air Force Base, who unlike hundreds of their fellow service members can't come over the fence to watch and help out at the rodeo, because of their duty schedules."

Feild is no stranger at jumping over fences...

For the past 3 years Feild has been 'climbing over the fence for our troops' as part of the Armed Forces Entertainment American300 Wrangler National Patriot Memorial Day Troop Tour, that has gone to combat outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan.   He also joins George Strait as the lead ambassador to Wrangler Corporation's 'Wrangler National Patriot ' program which raises funds for our countries fallen and wounded service members and families.   

Wrangler National Patriot Program... because we’re all family!

Wrangler's motto for the program 'Because We're All Family' echos in Feild's head every time he enters a rodeo.  "The Western Community knows that it’s the work our Armed Forces perform on a daily basis that allows us to rodeo... let alone enjoying the freedoms that come with being Americans... it's something we all feel strongly about."

Feild puts his effort where is mouth is...

“When American300 asked if I could take time out to meet some behind the scenes service members I was like heck ya... can I bring some friends” says Feild, noting that his experience with the nonprofit and troops overseas has been hallmark to his success as a cowboy. “American300 knows what its doing, they’ve visited nearly 400 bases around the world over the past 4 years with a focus on building troop strength and resolve by having us share our own personal stories... I’m just stoked to be bringing some of my friends along on this tour.” 

American300’s Never Quit Series ‘Behind the Chute’ ...

Joining the world champion will be fellow professional bareback riders: Jesse Davis, Joe Gunderson and Tilden Hooper... all world class cowboys... all with a chance of taking home the top money in this year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.  

Giving up time and energy for the troops...

"When he started doing the troop tours back in 2009, many said: you're giving up a pile of points brother" says Hooper a fellow bareback professional cowboy who finished off the 2011 season in 6th place "...then he comes back from the middle east... and all can see the fire in his eyes... his passion for the troops is a part of him... it’s what makes him so great.   I’m honored to be joining him in this effort at F.E. Warren Air Force Base this year."

About American300-  The 501(c)3 all volunteer nonprofit American300 was formed to increase resiliency and strength of our Armed Forces Members, their families and the areas in which they live and operate.  The nonprofit operates overseas in combat and hardship areas of deployment and State Department Embassies.  In 2012 the nonprofit developed a unique program for the United States Air Force’s Air Force Global Strike Command which encompasses: Barksdale, Whiteman, Minot, Malmstrom and Francis E. Warren Air Force Bases.   The monthly series of volunteer special guest visitors is themed ‘Never Quit Series’.    For more on the nonprofit visit: www.American300.org  

Media Contact- 

Rob Powers- American300  

email: robpowersusa@aol.com  

Mobile:  970-846-8772