Lehi, Utah
Lehi’s Bucking Bronc Sculpture: A Tribute to Rodeo Tradition
When the folks in Lehi, Utah, wanted to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Lehi Round-Up Rodeo back in 2007, they knew they needed something special. Something that would capture the grit, the legacy, and the cowboy spirit that rodeo represents. Enter Melvin Anderson, a rodeo fan through and through, with an idea as big as the open plains—a bucking bronc statue, in full motion, capturing that wild energy the rodeo’s all about.
Melvin didn’t just dream it; he made it happen. While at the 2004 National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, he tracked me down and asked if I’d take on the challenge of bringing that vision to life in bronze. I couldn’t say no to an idea like that, especially when it honored the tradition and spirit of rodeo.
The plan was to put this statue right at the roundabout at 500 West and Main Street, near the rodeo grounds. It would serve as a constant reminder of Lehi’s heritage and the hard work of the Civic Improvement Association (CIA), the folks who put on the rodeo every year. And let me tell you, working on that statue wasn’t just another job—it was a way to give something back to rodeo, a sport that’s given me so much.
With the Lehi City Council on board and funding secured—thanks to the CIA pitching in $10,000—the decision was made to go with a three-quarter size bronze. It was the perfect fit for the space. By June 16, 2006, the statue was set in place, proudly facing downtown Lehi, greeting folks with all the energy of a cowboy hangin’ on tight atop a bucking bronc.
We didn’t stop at the full-size statue either. I sent over a marquette—a smaller-scale model of the sculpture—for approval. Six of these marquettes were sold, helping to raise a bit of money for the city. Those smaller replicas are just as full of life as the big one, keeping the spirit of Lehi’s rodeo tradition alive in homes across the region.
The unveiling was something to behold, with the Lehi Round-Up Royalty and Miss Lehi Royalty doing the honors. It wasn’t just another art installation—it was a symbol of Lehi’s connection to the rodeo, and the cowboy spirit that runs deep through this town’s veins. I’ve always believed that good art, especially in the West, ought to remind folks of where they come from, and this statue does just that.
If you ever find yourself in Lehi, take a turn around that roundabout at 500 West and Main. Tip your hat to the bucking bronc and the cowboy that hangs on for dear life—it’s a reminder that no matter how wild the ride gets, the spirit of the rodeo will always be alive and kickin’.
