Cathy Jostad was born to Ernie and Ella Gronbeck of rural Leonard ND on October 5, 1950. Ella used to joke that some of Cathy’s first words were ‘horse’ and ‘pony’, so it was no surprise that she had a lifelong passion for them. Her sister, Sheila, says Cathy carried the H encyclopedia around with her so she could learn everything about horses.  

On June 6, 1970 Cathy married Robert Jostad, and began her second great passion in her life, her family. Bob and Cathy had two daughters, Lisa and Laura, both girls shared (sometimes not too willingly) Cathy’s love of horses and showing. 

Cathy and the girls became involved with raising, training and successfully showing Arabian horses at both the local and Regional level. Cathy, Chaun, Lisa and Laura would pile into the front seat of the pickup and off they would go to a show, a sale or just down to the sandhills for a trail ride. 

In 2003, Cathy discovered the Pinto Horse Association, and everyone started in a new direction. There were more shows to go to, more friends to meet, and this group is a strong supporter of youth and youth programs. Cathy believed strongly in the youth and was an adult volunteer in many horse and 4-H clubs over the years. 

In the summer of 2004, Cathy bought her first “pinto pony”, Deputy Barney, he was standing in a pasture in Hazen, North Dakota and was basically untouched. With a lot of work, Barney was ready to go to the Pinto World Show in Tulsa, Ok the following year, he went with Teresa Palmer-Visser and Joan Carson and came home with several World Champion and Reserve World Champion awards. 

Cathy stayed home in 2005 and welcomed grandson Zachary to the family, beginning the next generation of horse show exhibitors.  In 2009, Grandaughter, Brooke was born and joined the horse show family. Both kids started showing leadline as soon as they were able to “sit” on a horse. 

In 2011, Cathy said “I just want to go the world show once in my life to say I did”. Cathy, Chaun, Lisa, Laura, and Brooke have been to shows all over the region and to the Pinto World Show in Tulsa 3 times. Cathy not only got to go, but won numerous World Champion, and Reserve World Champion Buckles along the way. She watched as both her girls and her granddaughter showed successfully there and had as much or more enjoyment watching them show as doing it herself. 

Cathy loved kids and would do whatever it took to help them out. She enjoyed watching the various kids show her ponies and be successful. At horse shows if she saw someone needed help, either with clothing, equipment, or ponies she pitched right in and helped and when they succeeded she quietly walked away. She did not do it for the recognition or the thanks but because she loved it. She is responsible for getting many adults and youth involved in showing.

When Cathy was involved in a project or an organization she was completely devoted and spent uncountable hours working on helping that organization succeed. She was completely involved in the North Dakota Pinto Horse Association and FM Mounted Posse.

Cathy was a bus driver for Kindred Public School for nearly 30 years. On September 25th, 2015, Cathy was severely injured in an accident and passed away on October 2nd. She had a quick infectious smile and was a inspiration to many, and was a true hero.

In 2017, the group went back to Tulsa, 4 youth and 5 adults, 9 ponies and minis and came home with many Championship and Reserve Championship Buckles. Cathy’s beloved pony Royal Emperor Kuzco came home with the High Point Pleasure Pony Award as well as Overall High Point Pony. Zachary joined the group and earned his first buckle. Cathy was there with us in many ways.

Cathy was named to the Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame, Amateur Master, the first person to earn that honor at the 2016 convention.