The Great American Cowboy – A Tribute to Chris LeDoux

Dona Vold Larsen started a great tradition in the town of Casper, Wyoming in 2005 as a tribute to her great friend Chris LeDoux. She called it the Great American Cowboy PRCA Rodeo – a very fitting title to remember LeDoux.

LeDoux was a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in the bareback riding. He was the world champion bareback rider in 1976. When he decided his rodeo career was over, he went on to become an incredibly success recording music artist. Unfortunately, his time here was cut short in 2005 when he died after a battle with cancer at the young age of 56.

The Great American Cowboy rodeo had to take a few years break starting in 2020 due to COVID but came back in 2023.

Dona Vold Larsen said, “I love the fall rodeo in Casper. This is the 16 th year we have produced the rodeo. It seems like everyone is ready for a rodeo outing amidst all the school activities, shipping cattle, and hunting season. I relish seeing all the neighbors, friends, and families enjoying good, wholesome family entertainment. We live in a stressful time, and it is just fun to enjoy an evening out laughing and enjoying your family.”

Many cowboys and cowgirls did just that while also competing in the arena.

All-around cowboy: Seth Peterson, $714, tie-down roping and steer wrestling.

Bareback riding: 1. Tuker Carricato, 83 points on Triple V Rodeo's Hot Toddy, $902; 2. Cooper Filipek, 82.5, $677; 3. Tyler Graf, 72, $451; 4. Colton Farrow, 67, $226.

Steer wrestling: 1. Hadley Jackson, 4.0 seconds, $545; 2. Colby Anders, 4.2, $409; 3. Mike Garcia, 4.3, $273; 4. Brady Buum, 4.6, $136.

Team roping: 1. Edgar Aguilar/Jade Espenscheid, 5.3 seconds, $1,175 each; 2. Rett Coors/Troupe Coors, 5.5, $881; 3. Riley Pedro/Dusty Taylor, 5.6, $588; 4. Jase Staudt/Trae Smith, 6.0, $294.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Walker Rezzonico, 77.5 points on Triple V Rodeo's Black Shawl, $1,090; 2. Joe Priebe, 76, $818; 3. Qwint Stroh, 73, $545; 4. (tie) Logan Nunn and James Perrin, 69, $136 each.

Tie-down roping: 1. Seth Peterson, 7.7 seconds, $714; 2. Riley Pruitt, 8.3, $536; 3. Cody Henderson, 8.9, $357; 4. Wyatt Uptain, 9.8, $179.

Barrel racing: 1. Jenna Humble, 15.17 seconds, $858; 2. Jan Iberlin, 15.19, $746; 3. Laura Lambert, 15.22, $634; 4. Sage Kohr, 15.29, $522; 5. Cady Erb, 15.44, $410; 6. Britta Thiel, 15.45, $299; 7. Ashley Day, 15.52, $187; 8. (tie) Karson Bradley and Margaret Jones, 15.55, $37 each.

Bull riding: 1. Colton Coffman, 84 points on Brookman Rodeo's Mojo Risin, $1,181; 2. Ty Bertrand, 81, $885; 3. Clayton Savage, 75, $590; 4. Wyatt Norsteguard, 72, $295.