A Farewell to Rodeo

Yesterday, November 30th, the mushing world suffered a great loss.

Rodger "Rodeo" Vincent passed away.

I've been told that Rodeo had suffered a heart attack several days earlier, and was told by his doctor to take it easy, and stay laying down. Those who knew him find the idea of Rodeo "taking it easy" to be laughable. Rodeo was out with his sled dogs, and it is believed that he suffered another heart attack.

Rodeo was a great man who gave me my start in the sport nearly 9 years ago. 9 years ago, before I was even a teenager, I called Rodeo about a team of tour dogs he had advertised in the paper. He ended up giving me 17 dogs, and all the equipment I needed. He was a great man, but will live on at least in spirit as long as he is remembered. He loved sled dogs more than any other person I know.

Charlotte, his business partner, will continue on and have the race this weekend. I know this has to be very tough on her, and I can only imagine what she is going through. I admire her bravery in doing it though. Everyone would have understood if she called the race off, but she decided to make it happen.