Activities

Go Texan

Go Texan Day - Feb. 26, 2010

It's been called a spirit. It's even been referred to as a fever. Very few individuals - if any - can explain it. People in Houston just know that there's something in the air, and they know that it arrives early in February and lasts about a month.

They smell pit-smoked barbecue for miles. They see their friends wearing jeans and boots. And while driving to work, they pass hundreds of men and women on horseback, some even in wagons.

Most Houstonians know exactly what's going on - they've been around it for many years. But "foreigners" might not realize they're being soaked in the Go Texan Spirit.

"Grow beards, wear big hats, boots and spurs. Let's put a little touch of the Wild West into this thing." Those were perhaps the first words spoken that informally established the unique Western flavor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™.

It was in 1938 when the general manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce initiated a motion to immerse the city in excitement for the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition. It wasn't, however, until the mid 1950s that the Go Texan movement was officially launched, as a result of an advertising agency promotion.

In 1954, Archer Romero chaired the first Go Texan Committee, and members of the newly-established group encouraged everyone to wear Western clothes. They also distributed posters and other publicity material.

This Go Texan spirit has expanded throughout the last four decades, partly due to the efforts of the Show's seven Go Texan committees and the Western Heritage Community Challenge Committee. These committees help publicize the Show through numerous promotional events and Go Texan contests.

Take the Western Heritage Community Challenge

Let's celebrate our Western heritage! Show your support for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ by transforming our city into one big Western festival! Go Texan Day is your day to catch the Rodeo spirit and put a little touch of the West into your company or organization. Take the Western Heritage Community Challenge for the opportunity to win suite tickets to enjoy a RODEOHOUSTON™ performance, including the opportunity to ride in the Grand Entry at the opening of a performance.

Downloads

Rules, Guidelines and Contact Information
Entry Form
Entertainer Poster
- Letter Size – 11 x 8 ½
- Tabloid Size – 17 x 11
Purpose Brochure
Entertainer Calendar – 8 ½ x 11

Contests

Go Texan Contests were held Saturday, Jan. 30, at 9 a.m. at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Registration for participants is at 7 a.m.

Dominoes Tournament

The Domino Tournament was held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Two person teams from Go Texan counties and areas compete in a bracket-style competition for the chance to be named tournament Champion.

2010 Results

Grand Champion: Washington County — Lenny Krause and Earl Schwenke

First Place: Area Go Texan Lavaca County – Tom Neskova and Ronald Klekar
Second Place: Area Go Texan Gonzales County – Louis Kuntschik and Joseph Kridler
Third Place: Area Go Texan Washington County – Larry Krause and Earl Schwenke

Horseshoe Pitching

The Horseshoe Pitching Contest was held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Two person teams from Go Texan counties and areas compete in a bracket-style competition for the chance to be named tournament champion.

2010 Results

First Place: Houston Metro Go Texan Lamar/Needville – Louis "Duck" Engelhardt and Brenda Sablatura
Second Place: Area Go Texan Walker County – Tandi Thomason and Donna Massey
Third Place: Houston Metro Go Texan Brazoria Southwest – Mary Groth and Lori Taylor

Team Penning

The Team Penning and Sorting Competition was held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Three person teams from Go Texan counties and areas compete for the chance to be named tournament champion. In this timed event, teams have to cut from the herd of cattle and then pen three cattle labeled with a specific number as quickly as possible.

2010 Results

Junior Division

Grand Champion: Houston Metro Go Texan Katy – Dillon Kersh, Race Mellman and Sterling Mellman
First Place: Houston Metro Go Texan Katy – Dillon Kersh, Race Mellman and Sterling Mellman
Second Place: Area Go Texan Burleson County – Jordan Fryrear, Jake Fryrear and Victoria Welch
Third Place: Houston Metro Go Texan Conroe/Willis/The Woodlands – Cliff Luke, John Riddle and Jake White

Senior Division

Grand Champion: Area Go Texan Gonzales County – Dub Whitehead, Wendy Thompson and Trenh Rankin
First Place: Area Go Texan Matagorda County – Mark McLeod, Jake McLeod, Tom Vivion
Second Place: Area Go Texan Robertson County – Melissa Welch, Michelle Haver and Glenn Welch
Third Place: Area Go Texan Victoria County – Tommy Marbach, Roger Hempel and Garrett Ohrt

Team Sorting

2010 Results

First Place: Scott Henderson and Mandy Schoenst
Second Place: Dean Allred and Cody Allred
Third Place: Chuck Shuretts and Chris Shuretts

Quilt Contest

Houston Metro Go Texan and Area Go Texan committees entered colorful and unique quiltsand were judged based on overall appearance, workmanship, suitability/color, originality, and design. All 69 quilts entered will be on display at Reliant Center from March 2 –21.

2010 Quilt Contest Results

Best of Show – Area Go Texan: Brazos County
Judge’s Choice – Area Go Texan: Brazos County
Judges’ Choice – Area Go Texan: Henderson County
Committee’s Choice – Area Go Texan: Williamson County
Best of Division, Hand Applique – Houston Metro Go Texan: Alvin/Pearland
Best of Division, Machine Mixed Media – Houston Metro Go Texan: NASA/Clear Creek/Friendswood
Best of Division, Machine Applique – Area Go Texan: Brazos County
Best of Division, Machine Pieced – Area Go Texan: Grimes County
Best of Division, Hand Pieced – Area Go Texan: Anderson County
Best of Division, Hand Mixed Media – Area Go Texan: McLennan County
Best of Division, Machine Wall Hanging – Area Go Texan: Jasper County
Best of Division, Hand Wall Hanging – Area Go Texan: Walker County

Washer Pitching

The Washer Pitching Contest was held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Two person teams from Go Texan counties and areas compete in a bracket-style competition for the chance to be named tournament champion.

2010 Results

First Place: Area Go Texan McLennan County – Sam Michel and Toby Brink
Second Place: Houston Metro Go Texan Tomball/Magnolia/Montgomery – Billy Powers and Josh McKruntel
Third Place: Area Go Texan Robertson County – Alex Martinez and Mark Martinez