Ranchers Dan and Robin Fulwyler (Ontario) are passionate practitioners of western ranch and rodeo traditions. They compete as a duo in team roping and cowboy shooting events. The couple’s two daughters are also involved in rodeo and ranch activities.
Bio
Dan and Robin Fulwyler were both raised on dairy farms in the Willow Creek area, north of Vale. Along with the milk cows, both sets of parents shared a liking for horses. Before she married Dan, Robin trained two mustangs adopted from the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). As with all aspiring buckaroos, Dan couldn't wait to learn the ins and outs of roping. With help from his father, he roped on foot, for starters, using a practice dummy. Gradually, he learned to rope calves while riding full tilt in the saddle and in time, he and his future wife began competing together in team roping events against some of the best calf ropers around. The year 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the Vale rodeo, where Dan’s father served as Grand Marshal. Father and son are proud past winners of the team roping event, a significant accomplishment given that 200 to 300 teams compete for the 12 to 16 slots in the finals. Robin is also a regular each year in the competition. The couple practices at home using a roping dummy that runs on a circular track. During training, they put their horses through the roping regimen time and again. “When they get it right, they earn a release [a break]. If not, you keep working them," Dan explained. Dan and Robin's competitive spirit has not been lost on their two daughters. Both started competing in junior rodeos when they were five. The Fulwylers enjoy lending a hand on area ranches during branding season. Whether branding or ear marking, castrating or vaccinating, they fill in where they are needed. “We love to get out in the trees and brush of the outback,” Dan explained.
