Painted Valley
Painted Valley is a ranch raised stud owned by Kirsten Vold. A product of decades spent selectively breeding bucking horses on the Harry Vold Ranch, Painted Valley is the son of six-time WNFR mare 050 Big Valley and a Brookman stud named Oil Train. Painted Valley is a heavily muscled and strong bucking horse that had thrown many top cowboys in the dirt. In 2007, Painted Valley was selected to his first Wrangler National Finals (WNFR) as a bareback horse. The following year he debuted as a Saddle Bronc at the WNFR. 2009 would be his breakout year as he carried World Champion Billy Etbauer to 89 points at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Billy won the Cheyenne Frontier Days Saddle Bronc Championship after he drew Painted Valley and had the ride of his life. Those 89 points moved him into first place in the Average with 251 points, just two points ahead of second place finisher Chet Johnson. A photograph taken of Billy Etbauer and Painted Valley’s 2009 ride by Dan Hubble has become well known in a Boot Barn advertisement. That same year Painted Valley earned the titles of Best Bronc San Antonio, Best Bronc Mountain States Circuit, 3rd Runner up PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year voting and 2009 Best Bronc of the WNFR. In 2010, Painted Valley set an arena record at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Cody DeMoss drew him and earned 91 points in the short round. Painted Valley went on to win the 2010 PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year.