Buster Welch was born on May 23, 1928, in Sterling City, Texas. From a young age he began working with horses. His career would take him to prominent ranches like the 6666 Ranch, Pitchfork Ranch, King Ranch, and Long X, just to name a few.
Welch’s legacy as a cutting horse trainer lead to him being inducted into many organizations:
- NCHA Members Hall of Fame
- American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
- National Cutting Horse Association Riders Hall of Fame
- Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
He holds the record for the most NCHA World Championship Futurity titles with five wins. He also received the 2012 National Golden Spur Award, AQHA’s 30 Year Breeder Award, Charles Goodnight Award, Zane Schulte Trainer Award, and the American Cowboy Culture Working Cowboy Award.
Sadly, on Sunday, Welch passed away at the age of 94.
Before his passing, he made an appearance on the TV show Yellowstone. During the scene, one character states, “There are three Gods in Texas: the Almighty himself, Buster Welch, and George Strait.” The show posted to Instagram to pay their respects.
Related:
6666 Ranch: The Most Significant Ranch Purchase in Recent U.S. History
King Ranch: the pioneer of ranching
The agriculture industry remembers the legacy of Baxter Black
