Gary Shoop lives north of Riverton, Wyoming where he works out of an old log homestead. Originally a painter, Shoop began sculpting 30 years ago when he met and worked for noted sculptor Harry Jackson. It was his association with Jackson that allowed Shoop to make numerous working trips to Europe where he was able to participate in the process of lost wax bronze casting and see and study the art of the Old Masters.

While his work includes a variety of subjects, the horse is clearly what Gary enjoys sculpting the most. A one-and-a-half size equestrian monument stands at the High Plains Heritage Center in Spearfish, South Dakota, that gives testament to his passion.