CFD’s Rodeo Tech Zone exhibit shows visitors where rodeo meets robotics – Wyoming Tribune

CHEYENNE A new exhibit at Cheyenne Frontier Days is allowing visitors to see where rodeo meets robotics.

One of the first CFD attendees to experience the Rodeo Zone Tech exhibit was 4-year old Kinney Hammond from Denver. She bravely rode a mechanical bull under the supervision of owner and founder Jim Donnelly.

I wasnt scared, Hammond said. I liked when it went this way and then that way.

The Rodeo Zone Tech exhibit is Donnellys brainchild.

Were the innovators of robotics and the Western world, he said.

Visitors to the exhibit have the opportunity to experience rodeo without the risk. They can rope a motorized pony, ride a mechanical bronc and more in one of the most interactive exhibits at CFD.

Its not Donnellys first time at CFD, either. For 18 years, he participated in rodeo himself. In the 1970s he was a contestant at the Daddy of em All in Cheyenne. Those experiences, he said, informed him on how to make a successful interactive rodeo exhibit.

It gave me the experience to develop robotic animals that were correct in how they buck, he said. Ours move away from you and jump and kick just like a real animal does.

In traveling to rodeo events, Donnelly said he realized there wasnt really a safe and realistic way for people to practice rodeo.

Kids need something safe, a good vehicle for them to learn the sport of rodeo in a safe setting we set out to do that, he said

Initially, the inventions were used by college and high school rodeo teams for practice. But what started as a way for young rodeo contestants-to-be to practice turned into something that people of all ages can enjoy, whether they rodeo or not.

Weve kind of taken it to the next step where its a Western amusement experience, he said.

The Rodeo Zone Tech exhibit now makes its way across the nation to a variety of events that allow people to safely explore rodeo. When the CFD General Committee visited Donnellys ranch in Texas, he said they knew it would be a great fit for Wyomings biggest celebration of Western culture.

They loved it, and wanted us to come here, so here we are, he said.

The newest and greatest part of the exhibit, Donnelly said, are the motor ponies. He said theyre horses that look like a horse, ride like a horse and can do about any rodeo event using them, from team roping to barrel racing.

Theyre just a huge hit everywhere weve been, he said.

Kinney Hammonds father, Adam Hammond, said its the first time theyve been to CFD. Between Saturdays parade and the Rodeo Zone Tech exhibit, he said he and his family are already having a great time.

Weve been wanting to come, he said. We have family in town this week, so we wanted them to experience the old West. The parade this morning was so patriotic. It was awesome.

In addition to facilitating their exhibit, Donnelly said his family is looking forward to experiencing what CFD has to offer decades since his rodeo years.

Its way different than it was the in 70s, he said. Theyve remodeled things and brought it up to date. The arena is real pretty. Its an awesome venue and an historic rodeo that continues to go on.

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CFD's Rodeo Tech Zone exhibit shows visitors where rodeo meets robotics - Wyoming Tribune