See your favorite contestant, volunteer, fan or rodeo staff personnel on this page. Let’s make 2020 a banner year! Submit photos and bios to [email protected] They can be current or past rodeo season photos. This is the page to show off favorite pictures from fans, family and contestants.
Barrel Racer Extrodinaire
Matt, a 3rd generation Nieslanik from Carbondale, grew up on his family ranch and was taught cattle roping by his father, John, when he was ten. He truly enjoyed roping and decided to take his skills into the competitive arena in 2003. Since then, he has been successful at many events and has won several buckles, a saddle, and cash prizes. Since 1998, Matt has been the pick-up man at the Snowmass rodeo, and since 2005 at the Carbondale rodeo. In addition, he has picked up at CPRA rodeos over the years. He and his wife own Nieslanik Horses, LLC. Their business encompasses horse rentals, cattle sales, hay sales, hunting trips, and farrier services. Nieslanik Horses, LLC is a sponsor of the 2015 Carbondale Wild West Rodeo.
Max is a local rancher and longtime contestant in the CWWR. His daughter Ronnie Will also competes.
Katie Ford, Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Secretary comes from a legendary rodeo family. Her Grandfather, Harry Vold was in the rodeo business for 65 years until his passing in March of 2017. Harry was known for riding his notable black horse in the arena at each of his many rodeos across the country. Katie's Mother Darce Vold has been around rodeo most of her life and became a stock contractor in her own right in 1995. She brought her young family to Snowmass to provide the bucking stock for their weekly rodeo in 1998 and still does to this day. As a teenager, Katie started carrying the American flag in the grand entry at the Snowmass rodeo. Her responsibilities also included feeding the livestock each day, cleaning equipment, trailing horses, sorting bulls, and whatever else was required to get ready for the rodeo. In 2004, Katie's job would take on a new dimension; she would add rodeo secretary to her many duties. In 2007, Katie married 8x National Finals Rodeo bareback riding qualifier Royce Ford, son of the famed 5x World Champion Bruce Ford. Katie and Royce make their home in Briggsdale, Colorado where they raise bucking horses of their own. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Bailey born in 2009 and Fallon in 2012. Katie's secretary duties start on Tuesday night by taking the entries by phone from 6-8 p.m. She arrives at the rodeo early on Thursday nights where you will find her in the 'Secretary's Shed' where she continues taking entries in the Team Roping and collecting the entry fees from all of the evening's contestants. It is a busy night as Katie prints off all the contestant sheets for the timers, judges and announcer. During the rodeo you will find Katie answering questions and at the completion of each event she calculates the winners from the timers and judges sheets, and writes the prize money checks. Katie's duties aren't complete when the last bull rider completes his ride. After the rodeo is over for the evening, Katie gathers all the contestant sheets and computes the winner's total earnings. She is responsible for keeping a tally of points for each contestant to determine the buckle winners at the end of the rodeo season. Katie's expertise as rodeo secretary and her wealth of rodeo knowledge helps keep the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo running smoothly. Please stop by the Secretary Shed and tell Katie a big thank you for her dedication to the rodeo.
Rodeo Rough Stock Contractor and great friend of the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo. Jerry is also the face of the Rim Rock Rodeo in Fruita. Jerry has hosted a rodeo in Fruita for over 25 years.
Steve is the Arena Manager for the CWWRA and CWWRA board member since 2019. You will see him on the roping chute, behind the bucking chutes and wherever the action is. Steve drives tow truck for Mat Dog Towing.
Perry Will provides the roping steers for the CWWR. Perry's son Court was an avid roper and helped provide the roping steers until his untimely passing in an accident in 2017. Perry and his wife Susan have honored Court's memory by giving awards to young rodeo participants throughout western Colorado. Perry worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for about 43 years before becoming House Representative to District 57 in 2019. Perry is pictured in front.
Tom Harrington is a CWWRA board member and competes in the team roping and Dally Ribbon Roping. He is passing on the rodeo legacy to granddaughter Tegwyn and grandson Riordan. Tom is ranch manager at the Crystal River Ranch and builds custom horse tack and saddles, enjoys ranch roping, fly fishing and riding his Harley.
![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/336/20083554929_456e1fd17b_m.jpg" alt="(36 of 195).jpg)
Rick's family has been residents of the Roaring Fork Valley for several generations. He has been a longtime competitor in team roping at the CWWR and has been a stock contractor of the sheep for the mutton bustin and the calves for the dally ribbon roping and calf scramble. Rick supplies livestock for High School and Little Britches Rodeos. Rick has passed the love of rodeo on to his family. His daughter also ropes and grandkids have participated in mutton bustin.
Julie was a longtime volunteer and rodeo photographer for the page. Julie also volunteered for many other community organizations. Julie could be seen riding her bike throughout the year all across the Roaring Fork Valley. Julie is pictured behind the camera.We miss Julie as her and her husband moved out of state to help family in 2018. However, Julie has continued to help with facebook occasionally and we so much appreciate her continued dedication to CWWRA.
You will see George frequenting the CWWR with his camera. George contributes pictures to the CWWR webpage. George loves capturing the unique mix of folks who call the Roaring Fork Valley home. You can see more of George's pictures at http://www.georgehendrix.com/photos/
The Carbondale Rodeo Committee is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization committed to keeping the Roaring Fork Valley’s western heritage alive by offering a fun family-oriented event for residents and visitors alike. The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo is held every Thursday from June until late August, rain or shine.
The 2024 rodeo season will begin on Thursday, June 6th, and continue through Thursday, August 22nd. Come down to the rodeo every Thursday evening for 12 weeks.
Join us in preserving the Western heritage of the Roaring Fork Valley by volunteering for the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo! Contribute to a meaningful cause, build lasting connections, and enjoy personal satisfaction in supporting a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the spirit of the Wild West. Whether you're experienced with livestock or not, there's a role for you. Sign up today and make a difference at the Carbondale Rodeo!
To volunteer, email Mike Kennedy at:
[email protected] or call at:
(970) 379-3907.
We are excited to continue the premium arena fence online parking reservation system for the 2024 season!
Arena fence parking tickets go on sale every Wednesday starting at noon through the rodeo season and typically sell out within minutes.
Remember, leaving your vehicles at the arena or on Willow Lane early is no longer allowed.
Gus Darien Riding Arena
County Road 100
(Catherine Store Road)
Carbondale, CO 81623
