Nine years ago, a recipient mare’s colt hit the ground in Wyoming. This baby bucker was by the legendary World Champion, Painted Valley, of Vold Rodeo and out of Powder River’s own two-time World Champion, Miss Congeniality. She would grow up to be the big, strong, beautiful bay that we know as Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Valley.
Miss Valley’s bucking career is only five years old and in those five years, the bay mare is on her way to living up to her parents. She is consistently marked 21 -23 points, has carried multiple National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riders to the pay window and been selected to shine under the bright lights of Las Vegas at the NFR herself.
Four cowboys have made 90+ point rides on the mare and two of those have come in the 2023 season. Sage Newman started 2023 with a big ride on Miss Valley at the New Year’s Eve Buck and Ball with 90.5 points and Lefty Holman recently rode her for 90 points in Fallon, Nevada. However, it is Canadian Dawson Hay who holds the high marked ride on Miss Valley after 92 points at the Caldwell Night Rodeo in 2022.
“She has everything you want in the perfect bucking horse. Her size and agility and her athleticism allow her to jump and kick every single time. She is a once in a lifetime animal, we’ve just been lucky to have a few. She had big shoes to fill with a bloodline of World Champions and she has done just that,” John Franzen said.
When Miss Valley is on the road, she is gentle and tame with a kind eye but when she is in the chutes it is another story. Just like her mother, Miss Congeniality, Miss Valley has a hair trigger. With adrenaline pumping, Miss Valley is ready and waiting for the nod that allows her to unleash her talent.
Franzen started giving Miss Valley a belly scratch before she bucks, a new quirk that that they might keep up considering the outcomes have included two 90-point rides.
On top of carving a top-notch career for herself, Miss Valley is a mother. Her first colt was carried by a recipient mare thanks to the work of Dr. Greg Veneklasen in Canyon, Texas and this year, Miss Valley carried herself. A little buckskin colt by J Bar J Rodeo’s Straight Midnight is on the road with his mom.
“Just like her, her little buckskin colt keeps to himself. You will not hear him when she goes into the chute, I think he understands, he acts full grown like he’s been on the road for years,” Franzen said.
If you ask Franzen, Miss Valley comes from legendary bucking stock and is following in their footsteps perfectly.
“She is the super star of our company and we are so lucky to have a special horse like her. At nine-years-old she is in her prime and she is only getting better. I truly believe this is her year to make her mark on history winning Horse of the Year,” he said.