To design the perfect gift for young rodeo lovers this year, Big Country Farm Toys teamed up with the family of bull riding legend Lane Frost — and they did such a good job that cousin Joe Frost, now vying for a gold buckle of his own at the Wrangler National Finals, has joined in partnership.
Big Country Farm Toys has a gift for each and every little buckaroo on your list — from model ranch sets to farm animals to pickup trucks. But for tots who want to grow up to be rodeo cowboys, we suggest the latest action figure. No matter how young, if they love rodeo, they surely know the name Lane Frost. Now they can add him to their toy collections. The commemorative Lane Frost figurine depicts the late bull riding legend doing what he did best. And it isn’t just any bull he’s riding. It’s the one arguably as famous as the cowboy himself — fellow hall of famer Red Rock, Frost’s fierce adversary in the historic 1988 Challenge of the Champions.
The story behind the challenge: Red Rock had already retired from pro rodeo when he took on Frost in the ring. He officially ended his career after the National Finals in 1987 having never been ridden for 8 seconds and with a record 309 buck-offs. But before Red Rock returned home with owner John Growney, fellow stock contractor Jim Shoulders, a world champ and rodeo legend himself, suggested saddling him up one more time to be ridden by whomever won the world title that year. When Frost got the gold buckle, Growney felt certain it was the perfect match-up. He knew Frost and knew he’d dreamt of riding an unridden bull like his mentor Freckles Brown. They set up seven matches in seven different cities. Seven chances for Frost to do what he'd been unable to in the 1986 National Finals — not get bucked by Red Rock. (If he hadn't been bucked in '86, Frost would have won the world title and become the first to ride all 10 bulls pulled during the finals.) And he did, four out of seven times. Red Rock bucked Frost in the first two go-rounds, but the cowboy came out victorious in the next three. Then Red Rock earned another win, tying the score. During their final meeting in Spanish Fork, Utah, the deciding match, Frost once again held on until the eight-second buzzer. Not only had he put an end to Red Rock’s undefeated streak, he was now the champion of the champions.
The new commemorative figurine does more than celebrate Frost’s famous ride, it honors his legacy as a collaboration between Big Country Farm Toys and the cowboy’s family and as a fundraiser for the foundation set up in his name. “The Frost family is giving 100 percent of their proceeds from the Lane Frost figurine to the Lane Frost Scholarship Fund ... ,” says BCFT president and CEO Greg Huett — who is working to build PRCA/PBR and rodeo lifestyle collections that compliment the company's authentic farm and ranch toys, promoting strong character and values.
The successful introduction of the toy and a growing relationship with the Frost family has led to another new partnership for Big Country Farm Toys this year, one with Lane’s cousin and fellow bull rider Joe Frost. Upon arriving in Las Vegas for the ongoing Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the young bull rider stopped by to meet the BCFT team for a photo op and to help the toy company officially announce the new sponsorship. Huett says he couldn’t be more thrilled.
Joe Frost is one of the best new bull riders on the rodeo circuit; he qualified for the NFR at number 5 in the world standings. But it’s his work ethic, integrity, and charitable nature — all Frost family traits — that earned him a spot on the BCFT team. “Although Joe is his own man and does not want to live in his cousin’s spotlight, the comparisons are there,” Huett says. “The two share more than just a last name. Joe Frost will be competing, like his cousin, for the prized championship buckle. But deeper than talent, Joe Frost carries the known and respected name and character of the Frost family.” In summation, Huett adds, “Joe Frost is a college graduate and avid rancher, who just so happens to be the number five bull rider in the NFR going into the finals in Vegas.”
If you're in town for the National Finals, be sure pop in to the Boot Barn store at the MGM Grand to pick up your own Lane Frost collectible this weekend. Who knows, you may even get to meet a member of the family. Joe's been popping in to sign autographs all week!
