Buffalo in Harding County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Tipperary
1905-1932
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2023
1. Tipperary Marker
“That horse is the slipperiest fellow that ever caused a cowboy to pull leather. His hide actually crawls and he turns so fast that you can’t tell which end is which… Just when he is going to sunfish, he does exactly the opposite, bucking in a straight line, with short, jerky jumps.”
And so the legend of the famous bucking horse unfolds. Raised by Ed Wickham, sold to Doc Latham and Mex Griffith, lost to Carr and Ridgeway in a poker game, Tipperary first bucked off Ed Marty who gave this blood red bay his name as he hit the ground exclaiming, “It's a Long Way to Tipperary.” Charlie Wilson would buy Tipperary and his partner, Tip Top, to become a part of the Wilson bronc string. From Camp Crook to Belle Fourche and all parts nearby, Tipperary bucked. His reputation boasted of 91 buck offs, including Yakima Canutt and Sam Brownell, champion saddle bronc riders.
Rodeo was different during Tipperary's day than it is now. Bucking horses were trailed to the rodeos rather than being trucked. There were no bucking chutes. The broncs were snubbed to a saddle horse in the middle of the arena, often just a large circle of cars and trucks. After being saddled and mounted, the bronc was turned loose to buck. The 8-second rule did not apply. The contest between man and horse lasted until the rider was thrown or the horse quit bucking.
Harding County's Harold Ekberg would be the last rider on old Tipperary, retired in 1926. Both Ekberg and Tipperary were 21-years-old at the time. Tipperary continued to prance to the war song that bore his name, even after his stature was worn down. The old bucking horse died in a blizzard of 1932. His bones are said to be buried in Tipperary Park on Highway 85 just south of here.
Tipperary's saga was written to song by Tex Fletcher in 1953. The famous bay was inducted into the National Cowboy
this page online
Alvin Cordell of Camp Crook carefully researched Tipperary, including interviewing Frank Latham, who was involved in the first attempted ride on the horse, which took place on the main street of Camp Crook. Rather than writing about the event, Alvin commissioned Belle Fourche artist Mick B. Harrison to recreate the event on an original opaque watercolor. The painting shows Elmer Wickham (far left), Greenup Moseley on the white horse, Frank Latham on his horse Cole Younger, Ed Marty on Tipperary as the horse leaps into the air as was his renowned bucking style, Doc Latham (just right of Tipperary), and Jake Ridgeway (far right behind the buckboard). The scene took place in front of what is now the Camp Crook Area Community Center, looking south. The bandstand, which still stands at the intersection, can be seen in the background.
[top left photo caption] Tipperary (left) with Baldy, the Horse always used to snub him, and Tip Top, his bucking partner.
Erected by Buffalo & Harding County, South Dakota.
Topics. This historical marker is
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2023
2. Tipperary Marker
The marker is on the heritage walkway in Centennial Park.
Location. 45° 34.857′ N, 103° 32.77′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, South Dakota, in Harding County. It can be reached from Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (CanAm Highway) (U.S. 85) just south of Connel Street (State Highway 20), on the left when traveling north. The marker is in Centennial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 91 US Highway 85, Buffalo SD 57720, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Three-Toes, The Wolf (here, next to this marker); Centennial Park (here, next to this marker); Energy Production in Harding County (here, next to this marker); The Establishment of Harding County
3. Marker detail: Tipperary Painting by Mick B. Harrison
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Tipperary (ProRodeo Hall of Fame).
Excerpt: Tipperary was credited with dumping 80 riders before Yakima Canutt made a qualified ride in 1920. Canutt also rode the famed bronc a second time in Belle Fourche, S.D., in 1921. The colt, which hailed from a band of thoroughbreds in the Northwest, first gained attention at the World War 1 boomtown of Camp Crook, S.D., a center of European military horse buyers and bronc riders who rode each horse before it was sold. The English rejected the colt because it bucked off all riders, and the Italians passed it by because it was a pacer. A saloonkeeper, who won the horse in a poker game, won a fast $500 when he bet that a local bronc rider couldn’t ride the(Submitted on June 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)horse. The crestfallen cowboy sat in the dust singing, “It’s a long way to Tipperary,” a popular song of the period. The name caught on and Tipperary began a bucking career that lasted until 1928.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 20234. Tipperary Sculpture in Centennial ParkThe statue of Tipperary, sculpted by Tony Chytka of Belle Fourche, SD, honors the rich history of rodeo.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 26 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
