Vold is Gold: CNFR Coverage

By Wrangler Network contributor, Charlie Coon

The name is synonymous with ProRodeo. Vold. The Harry Vold Rodeo Co. based in Colorado is contracted to handle animals at the rough stock chutes end of the College National Finals Rodeo arena in the Casper Events Center and the Vold in charge is Kirsten. She is a woman who wears a coat of many colors.

“I love variety,” says Kirsten. She is as comfortable in a swanky New York City hotel or dressed to the nines in Vegas as she is directing traffic behind-the-scenes at the CNFR where slack competition and a special event last Sunday presented many challenges due to sheer numbers and limited space. The first three days of competition ran from four to eight hours in duration.

Vold’s resume includes consulting for Columbia Records and the PRCA. Last year she spent time working in Texas oil fields. As for being a woman in the male-dominated world of rodeo, particularly the job of chute boss, Kirsten doesn’t consider gender important. “I don’t care if you’re a woman or a man, short or tall, none of that matters. It’s how you handle yourself, being someone worthy of trust.”

It is not easy to follow in the footsteps of a legend. Harry Vold has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of at least nine rodeo organizations including the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. He is 90-years-old and now uses a cane to keep steady on his feet. Harry attended the CNFR for a few days and then drove to Santa Fe, N.M. to handle oversight of the rodeo there. Kirsten manages the bulk of the business now. She does so with Harry’s blessing and his key tenets in daily play:

‘Travels with Charlie’ is a series of features by Charlie Coon produced exclusively for the Wrangler Network. Using the penname Curtis Scott, Mr. Coon has provided stories for the past 20 years to such outlets as The History Channel Magazine, American Heritage and the Denver Post. He is based in Cheyenne, Wyo., where he serves as coordinator for the state of Wyoming’s cowboy marketing program. Coon and cameraman Mike McCrimmon put together news, sports, and human interest features on a semi-regular basis for TV stations in Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota.