1978 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree Karen Vold passed away Monday, Jan. 12 at her family’s ranch in Fowler, Colo. She was 86.
“Mom passed away peacefully on the ranch,” said her daughter Kirsten in a post. “We are grateful for the 86 years we had her on this Earth and are planning her celebration for Monday, January 19th.”
The daughter of a rodeo clown, Karen began trick riding at age ten and started a seventeen-year career. She was instrumental in forming “The Flying Cimarrons,” a group that brought trick riding back into prominence for several years. This group was an innovation for rodeo shows because it hired out as a complete act instead of several individual riders. Karen retired from performing when she married famed stock contractor Harry Vold, but continued to be involved in rodeo business through rodeo production and trick riding clinics.