Jerry L. Olson was born November 22, 1935, in Sturgis, South Dakota. He entered his first rodeo at age 12, competing in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping.
At about the same time, the Olson family put together a horse act they contracted to local rodeos. The act evolved to the famous Roman riding act used by Olson throughout his professional career. By the mid-1950s, Olson developed a buffalo act. Audiences were thrilled at the sight of Olson riding A BISON around the arena, completing the act by riding into a trailer. The 1950s also saw Olson begin his bullfighting career somewhat by accident when the scheduled bullfighter was a no-show.
He won Contract Act of the Year in 1983 and served two terms as specialty act representative on the PRCA Board of Directors. He qualified for the 1969 NFR in steer wrestling, in addition he also was selected as NFR bullfighter in 1973. He is one of only three people to have worked the NFR as a contestant and specialty act.
