The Bucking Horse and Rider (BH&R) is a registered trademark of the State of Wyoming. Wyoming trademarked the image for the state's license plates in 1936. However, the state's usage of the logo is traced back to as early as 1918.[1] Wyoming is popularly known as the "Cowboy State," in part because of the use of the bucking bronco as its symbol. The University of Wyoming athletic teams are nicknamed the Cowboys and Cowgirls, both of which use the bucking horse and rider logo on their uniforms.
Uniforms for the Wyoming National Guard serving in Europe during World War I featured the horse and rider symbol. First Sergeant George N. Ostrom of E Battery, 3rd Battalion, 148th Field Artillery Regiment (United States), AEF is credited with designing the insignia.[2] The silhouette of the horse and rider is still in use today on uniforms of the Wyoming National Guard soldiers. The historical record is unclear if, as some claim, the horse and rider represent the legendary rodeo bronco "Steamboat," the "horse that couldn't be ridden."[2]
Wyoming sought to counter rampant counterfeiting of Wyoming's license plate when it debuted the horse and rider image in 1936 as part of its license plate design (it is now the longest-running license plate motif in the world). Wyoming Secretary of State Lester Hunt spearheaded legislation for the new design and commissioned artist Allen T. True to render the graphic image.[2] True is also noted for painting murals for the Senate and House chambers in the Wyoming State Capitol.[3]