Clayton Danks
Clayton Danks, a three-time Cheyenne Frontier Days™ champion, began his years as a contestant at the Cheyenne rodeo in 1902 and competed here for at least 7 years in various events, including the wild horse race, the 50-yard stake race, steer roping and saddle bronc riding. In the early days of rodeo, to ensure getting the best bucking horse possible and a shot at the top money, a contestant was allowed to bring his own selected entry. Danks’ selection, one that would turn out to be legendary in the annals of Cheyenne, was the horse named Steamboat, first brought to Cheyenne in 1903. Danks won his first Cheyenne championship in 1904 as a steer roper and in 1907 and 1909, he left Cheyenne with the saddle bronc title under his belt. He also served as a judge for Cheyenne Frontier Days™ in the early 1930s and helped create the modern method used in steer wrestling today.