Houston Rodeo Trail Ride 2015

It was a February afternoon. I was driving towards Memorial Park to have an afternoon run and I noticed bright orange pilons partitioning off the roadway.

I pulled my car over and got out. I felt an excitement in the air. I smelled the smell of horses. I heard the ‘clop, clop, clop’ of hooves on pavement. I scan around to discover the bigger picture… It’s the famous Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Trail Ride announcing the beginning of rodeo season in Houston!

Every year over 3,000 cowboys and cowgirls saddle up and re-live the old west by participating in a trail ride with covered wagons, horses, mules, tents & sleeping bags. It is a time honored cavalcade and a true Texas tradition. There are 13 trail-ride groups coming from as far as Reynosa Mexico.

excerpt from RodeoHouston)
The cowboys who tamed Texas in the early days give modern day Texans the inspiration to relive the conditions of those times. They spend days and weeks traveling along well-known trails using the traditional equipment of the old West. Even with the benefit of some modern conveniences, a long trip on the trail has hardships to endure with harsh Texas weather, unpredictable animals and the journey through areas ranging from wilderness to bustling metropolitan cities.
The groups of people who comprise the 13 trail rides that converge on Houston are like small cities of settlers, combining their leadership and resources to bring their group over many miles. They are people from all walks of life, and each trail ride has many interesting stories. Their appearance in Houston signals the start of the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM as they merge via many routes into Memorial Park and proudly ride Saturday morning in the Downtown Rodeo Parade.
TrailRide Bullet Points:The first Trail Ride took place in January of 1952.

• Four men made that first journey from Brenham, Texas, to Houston.
• One year later in 1953, 80 people signed up to make the ride.
• This was the beginning of the Salt Grass Trail Ride. By 1954, 800 people were participating.
• More than 3,000 riders will saddle up and head to Houston from all directions, including Louisiana and Mexico.
• 13 rides will ride into downtown Houston for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Downtown Rodeo Parade, taking place Saturday. February 28, 2015.
• All 13 Trial Rides will have covered nearly 1,800 miles.
• The Los Vaqueros Trail Ride is the longest ride, covering 386 miles, beginning in Reynosa, Mexico.
• The Texas Cattlemen’s Trail Ride is the shortest ride, covering 70 miles, beginning in Montgomery, Texas.
• In recent years, female Trail Bosses have served several rides as their very capable leaders.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is said to be one of the largest livestock exhibitions and live entertainment shows in the country. Boasting an impressive list of world famous singers and entertainers, it has also donated over $375 million in scholarships and towards benefiting the study of breeding better livestock and farm products. Not to mention a super succulent Barb-q cook off.