story by Terry Rhodes
Roping a calf inside of 8 seconds is a major accomplishment for any calf roper. Josh Frost says the first time he did that is one of those times he’ll always remember. “It was at a pro rodeo in Oakley City, Utah. It’s one of the tougher rodeos over the Fourth of July weekend. The night I was up, it was the last perf and 8-flat was the last hole (in the money) so I knew I had to be fast and there was no room for mistakes. I took a solid run at it and it worked; I was 7.9 on that run.”
The 21-year-old cowboy says the best part of being in the Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association is being able to count on good stock to compete on. “The calf roping calves are always good. And so are the bulls; you’ve always got a chance to win something.” His events are bull riding and calf roping. “I don’t really have a favorite event between bull riding and calf roping. If I did, I would probably only be competing in one event. I really enjoy doing both of them.”
Josh’s rodeo roots run deep as he grew up in a rodeo family so his entry to the sport was only natural, in fact Josh is a cousin to the legendary Lane Frost. “All of my family rodeos and it’s something that we have always done. I was in junior high and high school rodeo. Now I’m going to college on a rodeo scholarship. My major is ag education. I want to rodeo for awhile and then maybe begin teaching later. I’ve always wanted to make a career out of rodeo, so that’s what I’m doing now.”
He credits his father, Shane Frost as being the person that was most influential in helping him develop his skills. “He did all the (rodeo) events when he was in high school and college. He has helped me more than anybody. He’s big on keeping a good attitude and he’s one of the hardest working people I know. I have been to a couple of the Joe Beaver clinics and they have helped a lot.”
Josh says getting ready to nod his head takes some special mental and physical preparation. “You have to show up mentally ready to ride every time. You really have to have confidence that you can do it. I get on a lot of practice bulls at home, but there comes a point in time that you just have to have faith in your abilities and do it. Once the ride starts, it’s all reaction.”
His competition horse is 18-year-old “Wilson” and Josh gives a lot credit to him. “He has really helped my roping. I came by him two years ago and got him finished and I know I wouldn’t be roping anything like I am without him.”
Giving it his all is the key to Josh’s arena success. “I give it 100% every time and I stay focused. There are so many things that can go wrong in calf roping that you really need to do one step at a time and get each one right. If you don’t you won’t be winning very much.”
Josh calls Randlett, Utah home with his parents, Shane and Lisa. This summer there has been more road time than home time. “I’m pretty much at a rodeo all the time in the summer. That’s my job. If I’m home for a day or two I’ll work for my dad.” Goals for the future include going to the NFR and picking up some titles.
