STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Waving his hat high in the air atop his rearing steed, the larger-than-life embodiment of the Texan Rider debuted this afternoon to a crowd of eager fans and distinguished guests gathered at Tarleton State University’s Memorial Stadium for the football home opener.

Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, Board of Regents Chairman Bill Mahomes, Regents John Bellinger and Jay Graham, Dr. A. Dwain and Lynda Mayfield, and other members of the -M- Family Ranch were present for the bronze statue’s unveiling, as were sculptor Mike Tabor and his wife, Suzy.

Funding for the Texan Rider was provided by David Mayfield’s -M- Family Ranch to honor his life of ranching, his love of the land and his interest in Tarleton State rodeo sports.

“Tradition is the purple thread that ties all Tarleton Texans together,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “One prominent tradition of ours is the Texan Rider, and this statue will help ensure that our spirit remains strong for years to come. I want to thank the Mayfield family for their generous donation that has made this possible.”

The unveiling of the 13.5-foot-tall, more than 3,500-pound, 1.5-life-sized bronze mascot, the first three-dimensional artistic manifestation of the Tarleton State icon, marks the finale of a process several years in the making. The originally planned statue was not as massive, but once the project gained momentum and excitement around Tarleton transitioning to a full-fledged NCAA Division I institution grew, it was clear that a larger statement was warranted.

“If you’re going to play in this division, you’ve got to have a big presence,” said sculptor Mike Tabor, distinguished Tarleton State alumnus and creator of the Texan Rider statue. “There’s a new energy at Tarleton. It’s my hope that students, alumni, faculty and visitors will marvel when they see this symbolic depiction that embodies all their achievements, accomplishments and the pride they have in this university.”

Tabor styled the statue with a classic look in a nod to the university’s storied heritage, he said. The rider sports an “old Texan” look, with a vintage haircut, neck rag and hat creased in a 1950s style. His hat is held in one hand flung high in the air, and his face is serious but not scowling. “He looks like he came to play,” Tabor said.

“I hope people feel something special when they look at it,” he added. “It was special for me, the first representation of the Tarleton Texan in human-like form — it’s very meaningful.

“I’m honored to be involved in this project at such a pivotal time in the university’s growth.”

The statue started as a 16-inch clay model, which was enlarged into 12 separately sculpted sections of Styrofoam. Those pieces were then covered with clay and resculpted. From there, molds were made and over 50 pieces were cast individually and then welded together. Casting was done by The Crucible Foundry in Norman, Okla.

The iconic horse and rider emerged as the athletic mascot of Tarleton State in the wake of a student body vote to call themselves and their sports teams “Texans” and “TexAnns” when the two-year college became a four-year university in 1961.

Every few years, a new student is chosen to fulfill the role of Texan Rider at official events, promoting Tarleton State’s school spirit and traditions. Junior Kolt Byrd currently holds that honor and can be seen at a variety of activities sporting his distinctive purple leather chaps.

Tabor graduated from Tarleton State in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in art. One of the most respected postmodern Western expressionist painters in the United States and an accomplished sculptor, he is also heavily involved in public art works. Tabor created the life-size bronze statue of Maj. Gen. James Earl Rudder installed in 2017 on Rudder Way. His multiple-media portfolio includes the nationally renowned life-size bronze embodiment of Team Hoyt, the ESPY-winning father-son duo best known for their 32-year participation in the Boston Marathon. The sculpture is located near the marathon starting line staging area in Hopkinton, Mass.

As a Texan himself, Tabor is proud to have played an integral part in the bronze mascot’s realization on campus where fans can enjoy it. He’s dreamed about seeing it in front of Memorial Stadium ever since talks began, he said.

“Oh yeah, I’m super excited. This is a pinnacle achievement for me, to be able to leave my mark at my alma mater, and very rewarding for me to see this statue in its forever home.”

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.