Cold War Cowboy

CODY - Rodeo champion and rancher Ralf Klopfer considers himself lucky to have been born in West Germany in 1964. Had he been born on the other side of the Berlin Wall, his life would be unrecognizable from what it is today.

Exposure to Western culture as a youngster put Klopfer on a lifelong path that led to success in riding and competing on two continents.

As a kid, Klopfer watched "Bonanza" and became fascinated with horses and the American West. He loved Johnny Cash and saw him in Germany twice, first at 12. Chomping at the bit as a teenager, Klopfer joined the rodeo.

After an attempted W...