“I’m projecting 16,000 visitors this year, and I think we’ll hit that pretty easily,” North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Thompson said.
On this date in 2000 the Bismarck Tribune announced that some of the best Appaloosa horses in the world could be found in North Dakota. One of the premier horse magazines, Western Horseman, had just published a profile on the Sheldak Ranch, where prize winning Appaloosas were bred. This was the first time the famous magazine had profiled an Appaloosa ranch. The breed was developed by the Nez Perce Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, and is distinctive for its spots, usually just on the rump.
Dave and Kim Utke have received an abundance of honors for their role in the equine industry besides being inducted into the Appaloosa Hall of Fame. Sheldak Ranch was named No. 3 on a list of the top five horse farms in the United States by Horseman Magazine in 2012. The couple was also named the Red River Horse Breeders Association Horseman and Horsewoman of the Year in 2016. That same year the couple was honored with the North Dakota State University Harvest Bowl Outstanding Agriculturalist Award.
The Utkes started their operation, Sheldak Ranch, more than 50 years ago, with $1,000 and big dreams. Well, I stuck with my pipe dream as a kid to raise horses for a living. Dave and I started our horse business with only $1,000 between us both,” Kim Utke said.