Bareback Rider Jacek Frost Starts 2024 with RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo Title
By: Tracy Renck
After just missing a bid to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo his Resistol Rookie year in 2023, Jacek Lane Frost’s hunger to get to Las Vegas is stronger than ever.
“It was definitely disappointing to watch all my buddies at the NFR when I wasn’t there,” said Frost, 19. “I want to step it up and be there with my boys (in 2024).”
The 2024 ProRodeo season is a marathon and Frost took a baby step to reach his ultimate goal, winning the average at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo with 251 points on three head in Red Bluff Sunday night.
Frost, who finished 22nd in the 2023 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $82,557, clinched his first career RAM California Circuit Finals average crown with his final ride – an 86-point trip on Four Star Rodeo’s Dirty Harry.
“That was the first time I had been on that horse,” Frost said. “I can’t explain what that ride was like. Once he broke it was like a dream. Eight seconds felt like 10 minutes. Once he broke everything was just so slow. He was just bailing in the air, and it was just so much fun.”
By securing the average, Frost qualified for the 2024 NFR Open July 9-13 in Colorado Springs, Colo., which had $1 million in payouts to contestants, livestock and other PRCA members last year.
“The California Circuit is really competitive,” said Frost, who earned $6,561 in Red Bluff. “Clayton (Biglow) had it locked up and he just had some bad luck on that last one. I just try to do my job and I reckon it worked. Qualifying for the NFR Open is a great steppingstone. I wanted to go last year, and I just missed it and I’m glad I stepped up a little bit this year and I can’t wait to go there.
“To get to the NFR, I just need to stay confident and keep on working at my craft.”
Frost, who lives in Browns Valley, Calif., which is 90 minutes from Red Bluff, acknowledged his rookie campaign was quite the journey – and learning experience.
“I drive my truck all over the place and every meal is a picnic and every day is a holiday,” Frost said. “You’re a professional driver and you do your job for eight seconds at a time and that’s your holiday. I traveled with (PRCA World Champion) Clayton (Biglow) and R.C. (Landingham, a four-time NFR qualifier) last year and I wouldn’t want to be in the rig with anybody else. They are just wonderful people to be around.”
Courtesy of PRCA.