Joe Frost is living up to one of the most well-known, respected and tragic names in his sport.
The 22-year-old bull rider from Randlett, Utah, qualified for the ongoing Wrangler National Finals Rodeo by finishing 11th on the regular-season money list.
Frost reached his first-ever National Finals exactly 25 years after his Hall of Fame second cousin, Lane, was killed during an arena accident at Frontier Days in Cheyenne.
In the opening round of the NFR, Joe Frost scored an 85.5 on a previously unconquered bull named Rattler. The victory was worth $19,000 and moved Frost into fifth place in the world standings.
"It's what everyone dreams about doing from the time they're a little kid," Frost told ProRodeo.com. "I knew since I was three years old that I would be riding at the NFR someday.
"It feels good to finally be here in person, because this is the only sport I've ever really known or cared about. I've dedicated my whole life to [it] and will continue to do so."
Frost admits he was anxious in the hours leading up to his National Finals debut.
"I was extremely nervous, starting at about three o'clock," he said. "I had big-time butterflies and I wanted to take a nap, but there was no chance I was going to be able to close my eyes."
Frost grew up in Uintah County in a family that also included two brothers and a sister. He graduated from Union High School in Roosevelt, where he won two state bull riding championships and a state all-around title.
Recently, Frost won the 2014 intercollegiate bull riding championship as a member of the Panhandle (Okla.) State rodeo team.
If Frost keeps riding like he did on the first round of the National Finals, he could end up winning a college national championship and a professional world championship in the same year.
Talk about living up to the family name.
The late Lane Frost grew up on a dairy farm near Vernal. As a youngster, he was an outstanding wrestler. His mother and father moved their family to Oklahoma in 1978. Five years later, he was a full-time bull rider.
Frost won his only world championship in 1987.
On July 30, 1989, Frost completed a sensational 91-point ride on a bull named Takin' Care of Business. Before he could scramble to safety, however, Frost was gored in the side. He took a few steps and collapsed.
Frost's injuries — broken ribs which punctured his heart and lungs — were fatal.
Three years later, second cousin Joe Frost was born.
And the legacy continues.
"It was important to me to fulfill a lifelong dream and get here," Frost said after his triumphant opening round at the National Finals Rodeo. "It's important to represent my family."
