Lifetime Leaders of Rodeo & Ranching Rodeo Ranching Great Westerner Western Entertaiment & Arts Rodeo Producers & Livestock Special Achievement Cowboy Long Rider Legacy Award

Ranching

Ole Solberg
2000 Hall of Fame Ranching Inductee

 Ole Solberg was born September 28, 1914, on his family's Benson County homestead, 11 miles south of York. The 10th child of Norwegian immigrants, Christ and Rakkel (Dockset) Solberg, he grew up with 10 siblings. His mother died in 1916, and Ole lived with his uncle in South Dakota from 1916-1918.

 He returned to North Dakota, graduating from Baker High School in 1932, where he was a successful student and baseball player. He attended North Dakota Agricultural College, Fargo, majoring in animal husbandry and returned home to pursue ranching.

 Ole went to the West Coast in the mid-1930s, working at various dairy, cattle and sheep ranches. He returned home, having learned that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

 He bought the family homestead from his father in 1939 and began experimenting with Poland China pigs and Angus cattle to support his interest in saddle horses. Ole's lifelong influence on the region's recreational horse industry began in earnest in the mid-1940s. He committed to developing a consistent Palomino strain in his herd and worked tirelessly to raise and promote quality saddle horses, regardless of color.

 Ole became widely known as an accomplished horseman, astute horse trader and excellent judge of horses. Many youngsters had their first horseback ride and bought their first horse at the Solberg ranch. Ole firmly believed every child should have a horse to learn responsibility, respect and patience.