This fine Western themed bronze features a classic American cowboy on horseback riding at full gallop over rocky terrain. The attention to detail is impressive with special attention given to the horse's musculature. The base is signed "Walter Winans/1890". Winans was a quintessential late 19th century Renaissance Man, born into considerable wealth he dedicated basically all of his efforts (and inheritance) to the pursuit of athletics and art. A distinguished competition shooter, Winans won twelve straight British revolver championships, and two Olympic medals for shooting; a gold at the 1908 London games, and a silver at the 1912 Stockholm games. Not only was he a shooter, he was a dedicated artist and sculptor. During the early 1900s art competition was done on the Olympic level with categories including sculpture, painting, literature, and architecture. In 1912, the same year he took silver in shooting Winans took the gold with his bronze titled "An American Trotter" making Winans the only Olympian to take a gold medal in both an athletic competition, and an art category. Winans was a dedicated racer of trotters and in 1981 was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame as an "Immortal". Perhaps as illustrious as his life, his death was equally noteworthy. In 1920 at the age of 68 Winans participated in a trotting race at Parsoles Park, London and just before the finish line he dropped the reins on his horse, slipped out of his seat, and fell dead. But not of course, before he had crossed the finish line.

Very fine the bronze has an attractive naturally aged, dark patina with some mild dings around the edges of the base. The rider is missing the rowel from his left spur. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.