Waldo Paul Haythorn, born on March 25, 1917, during a spring blizzard in Nebraska, embodied the spirit of the American cowboy. Raised on his family’s ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills, Haythorn developed a deep connection to ranching and horses early in life. Though he briefly attended Colorado State University’s veterinary program and trained as a pilot in California, his heart was always on the ranch.
In 1939, Haythorn met Beldora Cochran, winning her heart with love notes dropped from his plane. The couple married in 1943, beginning a lifelong partnership dedicated to ranching and horse breeding. Together, they raised two children, Sally and Craig, who continued the Haythorn legacy.
He excelled in Quarter Horse breeding, cutting, and roping, earning recognition as a judge and competitor. A member of the original “Turtles” (forerunners to the PRCA), his passion for horses and ranching shaped his life’s work. In 1993, the Haythorn Ranch received the AQHA’s inaugural Best Remuda in America Award, recognizing their contribution to Quarter Horse breeding as the largest breeder in the United States and third largest globally.
Beyond ranching, Haythorn’s wit, humor, and storytelling captivated all who knew him. Honored with numerous awards, including the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award, he passed away as a proud and iconic cowboy, leaving a legacy of dedication, hard work, and love for the West that will endure for generations.
