Broncho Buster statue

Public Art: Broncho Buster Statue

Also Known As: Buckaroo; Bucking Bronco

Sculptor: © Alexander Phimster Proctor (1860 – 1950)

Date: 1920

Description: The Broncho Buster statue is a 15 feet high bronze statue of a cowboy riding a bucking horse (bronco). The cowboy swings his lasso high in the air whilst leaning back in his saddle. The horse balances on it’s two front legs on a Colorado granite base. A cleverly balanced work of art.

Cast: Gorham Foundry

Cost: $16,500 for the statue and $4,00 for the granite pedestal.

Location: Central Plaza, Civil Park, Denver, Colorado, United States.

Inscription:

Broncho Buster
Presented to Denver
by
J.K. Mullen
A.D. 1920

History: Sculptor Alexander Phimster Proctor was commissioned to create two statues for the Denver Civic Center the Broncho Buster and the On The War Trail. The bronze cowboy and horse statue were presented to the city by Stephan Knight and John Kernan Mullen in 1920.

Proctor used Slim Ridings as his model for the cowboy but there was one catch, Slim was caught for horse rustling and thrown in jail. Proctor had to bail him out so he could complete his work.