Rodeo Loses Another Legend – Harry Vold

Legendary rodeo contractor Harry Vold passed away March 13 in his sleep at his home in Avondale, Colorado. Known as “Duke of the Chutes,” Harry Vold was 93.

Vold raised a long list of some of the most prize-winning animals in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. At age 90, he was still running one of the largest stock companies in North America. As he turned over the day to day operations to his daughter, the business will now certainly continue with Kristen Vold, who said, “He passed away in his sleep like every good cowboy should.”

Vold was born Jan. 29, 1924, in Edmonton, Alberta. He rode bareback and saddle bronc, but never first wanted to be a full-time cowboy. He was interested in the horse business, and then rodeo. Vold's stock has appeared at every major rodeo in the United States, including "The Daddy Of 'Em All." He is one of only two stock contractors with animals in every National Finals Rodeo since 1959.

Vold was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1994. He was named Legend of ProRodeo in 2009.

From his life in rodeo that he loved, many friends will likely be in attendance at Harry’s memorial service taking place at 1 p.m. (MT) March 20 at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive.