Over the weekend the PRCA and Kirsten Vold, owner of Vold Rodeo Company, announced the passing of Painted Valley. He will go down in history as one of the greatest bucking horses of all time.

"Painted Valley was a ranch-raised stud. The horse was a product of decades spent selectively breeding bucking horses on the Vold Ranch in Avondale, Colorado. He was the 2010 PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year and the top saddle bronc horse of the 2009 National Finals Rodeo.

"On the maternal side, Painted Valley was a son of Harry Vold's six-time NFR mare 050 Big Valley. Big Valley is a daughter of the producing-Vold mare Yellow Valley and Vold stud named Kojak, all ranch raised.

"In 2007, Painted Valley was selected to his first NFR as a bareback horse. The following year, he debuted in Las Vegas as a saddle bronc horse. Selected to his third NFR in 2009, Painted Valley had a breakout year, from carrying ProRodeo Hall of Famer Billy Etbauer to an 89-point ride in Cheyenne, Wyo., to earning best bronc at San Antonio. He was also selected best saddle bronc at the Mountain States Circuit that year and third runner-up in the Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year voting to go with the NFR saddle bronc of the year honor.

"In 2010, Painted Valley and Cody DeMoss paired up to set the arena record in Cheyenne at 91 points in the short round. Additionally, Painted Valley was the best bronc in San Antonio on the way to his fourth NFR selection.

"A year later, Painted Valley had several of his colts debut as 5-year-olds at PRCA rodeos. Recognized for their signature "painted" features, outstanding young horses such as 6V Pillow Talk, 650 Boxer, 652 Painted Bear and 667 Kate's Hot Sister were sired by Painted Valley.

"Additionally in 2011, Painted Valley became the first PRCA world champion bucking horse to be collected for artificial insemination abroad.

Painted Valley retired from bucking in March 2014."

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