MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Members from every sector of the community gathered at Washington Square Park in Marysville on Wednesday, Sept. 11, for the unveiling of the Cotton Rosser Bronze Monument. Normally, this day would have hosted the annual Maryville Stampede Cattle Drive but organizers opted to skip the event this year due to ongoing traffic issues related to the Hotel Marysville fire.

“This is such a big turnout, way bigger than I expected,” said Melanie Michel, a Marysville Stampede Committee member.

While the crowd might have surprised some, it pales in comparison to the impact that Rosser’s life has had on the local community.

Born to Canadian immigrant parents in Long Beach California in 1928, Horton Alexander “Cotton” Rosser soon dedicated his life to the world of rodeo and horsemanship. Rosser purchased his first Marysville ranch in 1954, but in 1956 a field accident involving a power post hole auger left him with two crushed legs. Being unable to compete, Rosser set his sights on opening his own western wear store, breeding quality livestock and elevating rodeo performances across America.

Rosser’s contributions to the industry were honored and cemented in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1995 and in 1997 he was named California Livestock Man of The Year. His ranch, Flying U Rodeo, can still be seen from the outskirts of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento in Wheatland and is considered one of the most successful rodeo production companies in professional rodeo. Its legacy can be witnessed locally during the annual Marysville Stampede at Cotton Rosser Arena in Riverfront Park.

“Cotton was very special,” said Sue Cejner Moyers who was in attendance during the Sept. 11 bronze monument dedication. “He used to help me do children’s stories in the schools and until he was in his 90’s he would lasso every kid and they would just love it, and he would do the history tours of the rodeo at the local schools until he couldn’t do it anymore.”

It seemed every person had a story to share about Rosser. For Tomas Gargilazo with “Charro on the Road,” Cotton was a close friend and mentor who helped kickstart his success as a world-champion rope artist and specialty act.

“It was an immense honor to be a part of the bronze reveal ceremony for the legendary ‘King of the Cowboys,’” said Gargilazo. “Cotton’s unwavering passion for rodeo and show-business shaped the world of rodeo entertainment as we know it today.”

Luis Gargilazo, Tomas’s son added, “It was fun for me to see him and learn over the years, gosh we miss him.”

The honor of unveiling Rosser’s statue went to Tomas Gargilazo who fittingly utilized his rope tricks. Gargilazo stood upon his horse as the lasso seemed to dance all around him. With a single flick of the wrist, Gargilazo’s hoop snatched the white tarp in one fail swoop, quickly revealing the bronze underneath.

“I know Cotton would be smiling right now to see his friend of 37 years doing what he does best,” said Anthony Lucia, a pro-rodeo announcer in reference to Gargilazo.

Rosser’s memorial bronze statue has been in the works for several years and its unveiling comes two years after his passing on July 22, 2022. Several locations for the statue were proposed during the initial plans but organizers ultimately settled on Washington Square Park for its visibility. Indeed, honks of support and appreciation could be heard from those passing by on Highway 20 throughout the entire ceremony.

“An old cowboy once said that if you had a million friends, you had a million dollars, so I know Cotton has to be one of the wealthiest men alive,” said Jeff Wolf as he choked back tears. “Being selected to do this memorial monument… is an honor of a lifetime for me.”

Wolf also got his start in rodeo through Rosser before turning his passion to art and sculpting. The statue’s design implemented a brick foundation engraved with the names of its many generous donors and supporters. During the ceremony, stories were shared of Rosser’s many friends and acquaintances from the king of Austria to a small-town waitress with a big heart.

“We thought that art should imitate life, and these bricks should be the foundation for the bronze just as my dad believed that his friends built his foundation throughout his life,” said Katherine Rosser, one of Rosser’s daughters.

Prior to the Sept. 11 event, Cotton’s family and crew took time to polish the bronze while hiding under its tarp. It was said that this moment felt like old times again, getting Rosser ready for the rodeo, except this one would last forever.