Buster Welch

Buster Welch
Birth nameFay Owen Welch
OccupationHorse trainer
DisciplineNCHA cutting
AQHA performance horses
Born(1928-05-23)May 23, 1928
Sterling City, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 12, 2022(2022-06-12) (aged 94)
Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Spouse(s)Sheila Dolin Welch
Major wins/Championships4 times NCHA World Champion, 5 times NCHA World Championship Futurity
Lifetime achievementsNCHA Rider Hall of Fame, NCHA Member Hall of Fame, AQHA Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
Significant horses
Marion's Girl, Chickasha Mike, Money's Glo, Chickasha Glo, Rey Jay's Pete, Dry Doc, Mr San Peppy and Peppy San Badger

Fay Owen "Buster" Welch (May 23, 1928 – June 12, 2022) was an American cutting horse trainer and inductee into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame, American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, NCHA Rider Hall of Fame, and Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Buster was chosen as the recipient of the 2012 National Golden Spur Award for his "outstanding contributions to the ranching and livestock industry".

Buster won the NCHA World Championship four times, and the NCHA World Championship Futurity five times. The most notable horses he trained include Marion's Girl, Chickasha Mike, Money's Glo who he trained and in 1962 won the first NCHA World Championship Futurity, in 1963 he won it on Chickasha Glo, in 1966 on Rey Jay's Pete, in 1971 on Dry Doc, and in 1977 on Peppy San Badger. He won the NCHA World Championship on Marion's Girl in 1954 and 1956. He trained Mr San Peppy and won the NCHA World Championship in 1974 and 1976.