Have you ever wondered what the net worth of Buster Welch is?
The American cutting horse trainer and NCHA Hall of Fame inductee amassed a fortune. On top of that, he’s a world champion and was a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame for years.
He’s trained many horses throughout the years, some of which have gone on to be great champions.
As of May 2023, Buster Welch’s net worth is $4 million. In this post, we’ll walk you through how Welch built his empire.
Table of Contents
Early Life
Fay Owen “Buster” Welch was born near Sterling City, Texas on May 23rd, 1928. The horse trainer’s family settled in Tennessee just before the Civil War.
Shortly after his birth, Welch’s mother died due to complications of labor. That’s when Buster moved in with his grandparents on their stock farm.
They resided close to the divide between the Colorado and Concho Rivers.
A few years later, Welch’s father remarried and moved the family to Midland, Texas. There, Buster’s dad quickly found work with Atlantic Richfield.
According to many sources, Welch had a troubled childhood. While in middle school, he ran away from home several times and would regularly skip school.
During these trips, Buster would spend time in the stockyards learning how to ride broncs.
By the age of 13, Welch moved out and got a job working for cattlemen Foy and Leonard Proctor in Midland.
There, he would work large herds of cattle, break horses, and maintain the ranch.
After that, Buster hopped around a few prominent farms and quickly became a great rancher. He developed skills like riding and working with stock and cattle.
During this time, Welch’s only goal was to one day own and operate his own ranch.
National Cutting Horse Association
At the age of 18, Welch decided to broaden his horizons and branch out. That’s when he came across the newly founded National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).
He joined the organization and would spend hours perfecting his equestrian skills. By the 1950s, Buster had solidified himself as a horseman with an impressive resume.
This was around the time when NCHA began making its mark on the livestock industry.
Horse Cutting
While Welch was in the NCHA, he worked for Warren Shoemaker, who was a nearby rancher. Buster trained and broke in horses there.
That’s also when the opportunity of a lifetime would present itself to Welch. Shoemaker had a six-year-old stallion named Chickasha Mike.
After a little convincing, Buster agreed to purchase the horse for $125 and use it for ranch work.
Welch quickly realized his horse had a great aptitude for cutting. So, he immediately enrolled in a few local contests to test out the waters. By 1952, Buster had won his first five events.
Many people, like Marion Flynt, took note of how impressive Welch’s abilities seemed to be.
As Chickasha Mike grew older, Buster decided to sell him to a friend for $8,500.
This was when Flynt sent Welch, his best mare, Marion’s Girl, for training. After a little conditioning, Buster campaigned the mare from coast to coast.
Marion’s Girl won the NCHA World Championship in 1954 and 1956.
Sadly, the mare died when she was nine years old and never produced any foals. Although, throughout her career, Marion’s Girl would manage to earn over $35,000.
National Cutting Horse Association Futurity
After Marion’s Girl passed away, Welch trained a new horse, Jessie Jack.
A while later, Buster and a few competitors started the NCHA Futurity in 1962. It’s an event that showcases three-year-old horses that are new to the scene.
For the first event, Welch rode Money’s Glo, a horse owned by his friend, C.E. Boyd. This race would earn Welch and Boyd around $3,800.
This began the uphill climb that would result in Welch’s fortune.
Buster Welch Net Worth 2023
As of May 2023, Buster Welch has an estimated net worth of $4 million. He amassed his fortune by training horses. On top of that, he was a renowned cutting horse rider.
Welch has worked with some of the most notable horses, including Marion’s Girl and Chickasha Glo.
In addition, Buster trained Dry Doc, Peppy San Badger, and Rey Jay’s Pete.
Welch won many awards during his career too. Those include the Western Horseman Award and the NCHA Futurity Championships Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did Buster Welch Have Children?
Buster Welch had four children: Greg, Georgia, Ken, and Ruth Ann. He also had two stepchildren, Dolin Morris and Nina Finley, from his wife, Sheila Welch.
What Is Buster Welch Known For?
Buster Welch is a legend that spent most of his life training and cutting horses. Many of the horses he worked with have won national competitions.
Key Takeaways
Don’t Let the Past Define You
Buster Welch had a troubled childhood, but he didn’t let that slow him down. He still achieved his dreams and lived his life doing what he loved.
Pave Your Own Path
Instead of following what normal ranchers would do, Welch branched out into competitions. On top of that, he even created his own event with a few fellow competitors.
Passion Is Key
When Welch dove into horse cutting, he didn’t plan on the venture being lucrative. He went after the title because he was incredibly passionate about horses, and it paid off.