Ken “Kenny” Neuens was born February 16th, 1942, in Dickinson, ND, to Walt and Evelyn Neuens. He spent the first five years of his life on the home ranch 17 miles north of Medora. After a devastating flood, Ken and family moved to Bismarck. At the age of 13, Ken and Sparky Trotter had a matched roping at the 1956 Dickinson Match of Champions. In 1958, Ken won the bulldogging competition at the first ever Killdeer High School Rodeo. This began a rodeoing career that followed Ken across the continent.

Ken rodeoed for Oklahoma State University and the University of Arizona while completing a B.S. in Agriculture Economics. Ken competed in many NIRA rodeos during this time, winning the all-around at ASU in 1964, the all-around at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1964, and was the West Coast Region Bulldogging Champion in 1967.

Ken competed in RCA rodeos in tandem with the NIRA competitions. His notable bulldogging wins include Buckeye, AZ 1963, Lethbridge, Alberta 1964, Helena, MT 1964, Medicine Hat, Alberta 1965, Wolf Point, MT 1966, and Lewistown, MT 1967. His calf roping wins include Sidney, MT 1966, Mandan, ND 1967, Killdeer, ND 1967, and Bengough, Manitoba 1968. Ken’s all-around wins include Oral Zumwalt K.O. Ranch Rodeo in 1966, Red Lodge, MT 1967, and Medicine Hat, Alberta 1969.

Ken’s passion for horses led him to pursue Veterinary School at Oklahoma State University, where he was named the outstanding graduating senior in 1972. During Vet School, Ken married Christi Sand of Bismarck, ND. Ken and family moved to Colorado where he interned at a large horse practice before beginning his own private equine practice in 1973. Ken practiced for 41 years, continuing to rope and ride while also raising two daughters, Sarah and Kelly.

In retirement, Ken and Christi built a cabin in the Killdeer Mountains where they spend their summers. They have enjoyed a good life and continue to cherish family, horses, friends, and God. North Dakota continues to be where they feel most connected to God’s creation and the blessings of their life.