A stunning 15-foot-tall steel sculpture of a Percheron draft horse now stands majestically in northeastern Colorado Springs, marking the latest artistic achievement by world-renowned Scottish sculptor Andy Scott. The impressive 5,000-pound sculpture, named "Belle," serves as the centerpiece for Norwood Development Group's new Percheron community, located at East Woodmen Road and Banning Lewis Parkway.
Scott, who currently resides in Los Angeles, has earned international recognition for his enormous and iconic horse sculptures, having created approximately two dozen such works around the globe. His most famous creation remains "The Kelpies" in Falkirk, Scotland - a pair of towering 100-foot-tall, 300-ton horse heads that constitute the world's largest equine sculpture. Since its debut in 2014, this remarkable installation has attracted millions of visitors annually, cementing Scott's reputation as a master of large-scale equine art.
"People always assume I must have grown up with horses, but that's not the case," Scott explained. "They're just a muse. I'm challenged by them as a subject. And they strike such a deep chord with the public. Horses go back thousands of years in our history. There's definitely a joy to tap into." The new Colorado Springs sculpture, crafted from 2.25 tons of welded and galvanized mild steel, represents Scott's second commission in Colorado, following his 2014 sculpture of Ullr, the Norse god of winter, created for the town of Breckenridge.
The Belle sculpture holds profound historical significance for the region, paying tribute to Ruth Banning, the pioneering woman who once owned Banning-Lewis Ranch on the same land where the Percheron community now stands. Tim Seibert, senior vice president of Norwood Development Group, emphasized the sculpture's importance: "We saw an artist who could capture the power and grace of a horse of this magnitude. To see it on site is stunning and it accomplished our goal to bring out the history of the ranch in a meaningful way."
Ruth Banning's remarkable story begins with her father, who established Banning Ranch southeast of Colorado Springs in 1897. He also owned Union Ice and Coal Company, using Percherons - the sturdy French draft horses he raised on his ranch - to deliver ice and coal to customers throughout the Pikes Peak region. After his death, his son briefly took over the businesses, but when he died just a couple of years later in 1916, Ruth stepped into leadership. In 1917, she sold the original ranch and purchased land 10 miles east of Colorado Springs, eventually marrying Raymond "Pinky" Lewis and establishing the Banning-Lewis Ranch.
Ruth's entrepreneurial spirit and community leadership were extraordinary for her era. She successfully managed the coal and ice business for many years and became president of the Colorado Coal and Ice Association, a highly unusual position for a woman to hold during the 1920s and 1930s. Her civic involvement extended beyond business, as she served on both the Colorado Springs school board and city council. "She played a big role early on in promoting Colorado Springs and trying to give back to the community where she lived," Seibert noted.
The Banning-Lewis Ranch eventually expanded to encompass 30,000 acres before Ruth and her husband's deaths led to the land being sold off. The city of Colorado Springs annexed 24,000 acres in 1988, and Norwood Development Group acquired the remaining portion in 2014. "The sculpture is in honor of Ruth and her accomplishments," Seibert explained. "Percherons are sturdy, hardworking, graceful horses. How do you epitomize and showcase that? We wanted to do it through sculpture but believe those characteristics are representative of Ruth and the city's early pioneers."
Scott's creative process for Belle began with a January visit to Colorado Springs, where he explored the region and studied the proposed sculpture location. Through sketching and artistic inspiration, the concept for Belle emerged. "I tried to convey the dynamism and strength of the animal," Scott described. "Percherons were draft horses, so I wanted to give some idea of energy and movement, like it was at work or coming back to the pasture after a day of work. I've sculpted the tail and mane as blowing in the wind. I put a nice turn in her head so she looks down toward the viewer. It's more exciting to look at than a static horse standing there."
Scott's fascination with equine subjects began somewhat unexpectedly in 1997 when his sculpture design was selected for a public art installation in Scotland featuring a Clydesdale horse. That piece became a well-known landmark and established the foundation for his artistic reputation. Several years later, he created two additional Clydesdale sculptures for Australian exhibitions, further solidifying his expertise in the field.
"Before you know it you become known for it," Scott reflected on his specialization in horse sculptures. "It intrigues me to this day. You learn more about their anatomy with each job. The way I sculpt them isn't about anatomical perfection. They never get easier. They're always a challenge, which I enjoy." The Belle sculpture now stands as both an artistic triumph and a lasting tribute to the pioneering spirit that helped shape Colorado Springs, bridging the community's rich historical heritage with its promising future.
