North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame 2026 Class of Inductees Announced
The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame announced their Class of 2026 inductees last week. Formal recognition for the 2026 class of inductees to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame will commence Friday, June 12, with a dinner celebration at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora. The induction award ceremony follows at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, at Tjaden Terrace in Medora and is open to the public.
This year’s North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees in their respective categories are: Oak Coulee Ranch, Morton County, Ranches; Charles Bahm, Morton County, Pre-1940s Ranching; James P. Langley, Benson County, Modern Era Ranching; Buddine Fredericks, McLean County, Pre-1970s Rodeo; Jeff Gorrell, McKenzie County, Modern Era Rodeo; Jeff Kvamme, Foster County, Modern Era Rodeo; Howard Bubel, Oliver County, Rodeo Arena; Virgil, McKenzie County, Rodeo Livestock; Richardton Saddle Club, Stark County, Special Achievement; Fred Berger, Morton County, Leaders of Ranch & Rodeo; and Wayne Halvorson, Mountrail County, Cowboy Long Rider.
Wayne Halvorson was born and raised in North Dakota, where his deep roots in agriculture and ranching shaped the foundation of his life and career. Growing up on his family’s ranch, Wayne learned the values of hard work and dedication from an early age. Alongside his sisters, he continues to help manage the family ranch property in North Dakota, a legacy that remains close to his heart.
From childhood, Wayne was immersed in ranch life: working cattle, helping at brandings, and developing a passion for livestock. He was active in 4-H, where he participated in livestock judging and showing cattle, and later expanded his interests to showing horses at the North Dakota State Fair. His strong involvement in agriculture continued through FFA (Future Farmers of America), where he earned the title of Star State Farmer, a recognition of his leadership and achievements in agricultural pursuits.
Wayne’s lifelong love of rodeo began when he was only eight years old, after winning his first rodeo in the event of bareback riding at the White Earth Valley Saddle Club, a well-known arena in his community. From that point on, he was hooked. Encouraged by his vocational agriculture teacher, Doug Hansen, Wayne joined the North Dakota High School Rodeo Association, competing at rodeos across the state.
As a high school competitor, Wayne excelled in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding. In 1976, he qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Sulphur, Louisiana, after winning the North Dakota State Championship in bull riding.
After high school, Wayne worked for Gary Graham at a horse training and showing facility, where he began training and showing state champion Appaloosa horses while continuing to compete in rodeo. His dedication earned him a rodeo scholarship to the University of North Dakota at Williston, where, as a freshman, he competed in saddle bronc and bull riding. By midseason, Wayne was Top 10 in the nation in collegiate bull riding. During this time, he also competed in the NDRA and in the PRCA rodeos, placing in saddle bronc riding in Scobey, Montana, and winning the bull riding in Laramie, Wyoming.
While attending college in Williston, Wayne operated his own horse training facility, where he began working with top-quality quarter horses. His growing reputation led to an opportunity to work with Tommy Mannion, one of the leading quarter horse trainers in the country, at Mannion’s renowned training and showing facility in Texas. Wayne’s career continued to flourish as he trained horses at major operations in Texas, and California, before eventually returning to North Dakota for a time. Later, he accepted a position in Oklahoma, where he established his own training and breeding operation.
For over 30 years, Wayne Halvorson has operated his successful training and breeding program in Oklahoma while continuing to manage his family’s ranch in White Earth, North Dakota.
Wayne and his wife, Rebecca Halvorson, have owned and managed Halvorson Ranch for more than 30 years. Together, they have built one of the most respected breeding and training operations in the country, standing numerous legendary stallions. Each year, the ranch bred and foaled out hundreds of mares, while maintaining around 50 halter horses in training.
Wayne and Rebecca are the proud parents of three children: Lauren Halvorson Daniels and her husband Colby Daniels, Austin Halvorson and his wife Catherine Halvorson, and Calyn Halvorson; and are blessed with three grandchildren: Carter and Elle Daniels, and Grace Ann Halvorson.
His lifelong dedication to ranching, rodeo, and horse training stands as a testament to his deep passion for the Western way of life and his enduring connection to his North Dakota roots.
Legacy Award Recipient Chosen
From time to time, the NDCHF Board of Directors elects to present a “Legacy Award” to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary service as an NDCHF board member or trustee, having positively impacted the development, growth, and well-being of the NDCHF Center of Western Heritage & Cultures. Long recognized for his support of community – specifically relating to youth, rodeo, and the western way of life, this year’s recipient of the Legacy Award is Dakota Community Bank & Trust President, Dale Pahlke.
At noon, Saturday, June 13, immediately preceding the Induction Ceremony at Tjaden Terrance, the Miss Rodeo North Dakota organization will hold its Coronation Ceremony. The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame has long been a supporter of the Miss Rodeo North Dakota organization. Both the Coronation and Induction Ceremony are open to the public.