Buster Welch: 1928 - 2022
Legendary Texas cowboy Buster Welch passed away June 12, 2022. He was 94.
Born near Sterling City, Tex., in 1928, his family moved to Midland. Buster often skipped school to spend time at the stockyards and at age 13 he left home permanently to work for cattlemen Foy and Leonard Proctor in Midland, who needed help due to the number of young men serving in World War II.
After leaving Proctor's, Buster worked for many prominent ranches such as the 6666 Ranch, Pitchfork Ranch, King Ranch, Long X, and a few other ranches where he developed his skills working with rough stock and cattle.
Welch began training horses when he worked on a ranch near Las Vegas, NM. He soon became known in Cutting Horse circles with his horse Chickasha Mike by Billy Clegg, and he trained Marion’s Girl by Silver Wimpy to a World Championship in 1954.
Welch joined several other competitors to start the NCHA Futurity, a competition for 3-year-old horses that had never been shown. The first event was held in Sweetwater, Texas, in 1962, and Welch was riding Money Glo. Welch and Money's Glo showed their way to the top, earning $3,838.12 and the prestige of winning the first NCHA Futurity.
Welch went on to win four more futurities, on Chickasha Glo in 1963, Rey Jay’s Pete in 1966, Dry Doc in 1971, and Peppy San Badger in 1977. He also rode Mr San Peppy to an AQHA World Championship in senior cutting in 1976 and NCHA world championships in 1974 and 1976.
Welch has received several honors for his work in the NCHA and Quarter Horse industry. He is a member of the NCHA member and rider halls of fame. He received the Charles Goodnight Award and AQHA’s 30 Year Breeder Award. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2004.
In 2012, Welch was chosen for the National Golden Spur Award for outstanding contributions to the ranching and livestock industry. He was also inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame and American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
During episode 5, season 4 of the television drama Yellowstone, Buster Welch appeared as himself along with actor Barry Corbin and Yellowstone regular Jefferson White (Jimmy). Jimmy is told by another ranch hand: "There are three Gods in Texas: the Almighty himself, Buster Welch and George Strait. You just met one of them."
