The Last Ride (bull riding accident)

"The Last Ride"

Date	June 30, 1989 (1989-06-30)
Time	3:30 pm – 3:59 pm (MDT)
Venue	Cheyenne Frontier Days
Also known as	Lane's Last Ride The Tragedy in Cheyenne
Type	Animal attack
Cause	The bull's horn hooking Frost
Target	Lane Frost
Perpetrator	Takin' Care of Business
Outcome	Death
Burial	Mount Olivet Cemetery, Hugo, Oklahoma, U.S.
Footage	youtube.com

"The Last Ride" was a professional bull riding accident that happened on July 30, 1989, at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo, that resulted in the death of professional rodeo cowboy, Lane Frost. Frost had just ridden a bull named Takin' Care of Business when, after he dismounted, the bull struck him in the back causing several broken ribs and a severed artery. Frost then stood up for a moment before collapsing, killing him instantly.

Background

Frost had been a professional bull rider for eight years before the event. Frost was named PRCA World Champion Bull Rider two years before the accident. In 1988, Frost was a part of the Challenge of the Champions which put him up against the previously unrideable bull named Red Rock. Frost won the event of seven rides with a record of 4–3. During the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo in 1989, Frost was looking to make it to his sixth consecutive National Finals Rodeo (NFR) with an impressive ride.

The ride

On July 30, 1989, Frost drew a Brahma bull named Takin' Care of Business at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. It was a cold and rainy day leading to mud developing on the arena floor. At 3:30 pm, Frost and the bull exited chute #7. Frost then rode the bull for a full eight seconds, earning an 85-point ride and qualifying him for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). However, Frost dismounted the bull awkwardly, landing in its eyesight. The bull then stepped on Frost's chaps and hooked him in the back with one of its horns. The horn did not break through Frost's skin, but the blow was strong enough to break several of his ribs and even sever a major artery. He then stood up and motioned towards his longtime friend Tuff Hedeman for help before collapsing face-first into the muddy arena floor, puncturing his heart and lungs. Frost was rushed to Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead at 3:59 pm. He was only 25 years old.

Aftermath

"Champion Lane Frost" at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum.

On August 2, 1989, Frost's funeral service was held at First Baptist Church in Atoka, Oklahoma. It was estimated that 3,500 people attended. After the service was over, Frost was taken to Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma, where he was laid to rest beside his long-time mentor, Freckles Brown.

Before the devastating events at Cheyenne, protective equipment was optional with riders only using it if they felt it was necessary for their survival. One of Frost's riding buddies, Cody Lambert, helped create the protective vest that professional cowboys now wear.

In 1989, Tuff Hedeman, dedicated his 10th round National Finals Rodeo (NFR) ride to Frost. Hedeman rode the bull for 16 seconds, riding well past the whistle. Prior to the ride, Hedeman stated, "I'm gonna ride him an extra ten seconds for Lane." Hedeman would then be named the NFR World Champion Bull Rider.

On July 26, 1993, a bronze statue that depicted Frost was dedicated in front of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. The statue was self-commissioned by former bull rider turned sculptor Chris Navarro.

In 1994, a movie titled 8 Seconds was released. Starring Luke Perry as Frost, the movie dramatized Frost's life and even showed his last moments in the Cheyenne arena.

In 1996, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) announced the Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award which is awarded annually to the highest-scoring single ride at the PBR World Finals. Adriano Morães won the first award when he scored 93.5 points on Western Trails’ Shotgun Red. During the same year, protective equipment was made mandatory by PBR.