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Olaf Wieghorst was born in Viborg, Denmark in 1899 and educated in Copenhagen. At a young age he developed an acrobatic act at the Tivoli Theater in Copenhagen where he was billed as “Little Olaf – The Miniature Acrobat”. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 19 with only $1.25 in his pocket and speaking no English. He enlisted in the 5th U.S. Cavalry and served on the Mexican border in the days of Pancho Villa.

The passion that Olaf Wieghorst developed for horses would be a source of lifelong inspiration. After his service in the U.S. Cavalry, Olaf worked on the Quarter Circle 2C Ranch whose brand he adopted as his insignia. Olaf returned to New York City in 1923 to attend the Police Academy and began to teach himself to paint while building a career as a member of the Police Show Team of the Mounted Division. His work was represented by the Grand Central Art Galleries of the Biltmore Hotel.

After retiring in 1944, Olaf settled in El Cajon, California where the majority of his works were produced. By this time his work was very much in demand and painted many celebrity horses including Roy Rogers’ Trigger, Gene Autry’s Champion and Tom Morgan’s stallion.

“I have been observing horses for so many years that I guess I’ve begun

to think like one. That’s what I mean when I say that the horse has been

my greatest teacher. Horses have been my companions under nearly

all possible conditions.”