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Trail Rides

Nothing brings to mind the Old West like a modern-day trail ride. Pioneers created trails as they moved west in search of a dream and cowboys created trails to take cattle to major market centers. While these routes are no longer a necessity in daily life, more than 4,000 riders saddle up each February to relive the Old West as part of 13 trail rides leading to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™.
In January of 1952, several men formed the very first trail ride as a way to increase awareness of the Show. Though only four men made the first journey from Brenham, Texas, the attention they raised attracted more publicity than ever expected, as more than 80 men signed up the next year. The trail rides are a signature tradition of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo today.
Today’s riders hit the trail in an attempt to recreate the Old West, and in doing so, find a common ground that links us all to the Show. A sense of history and pride resides in each rider; igniting envy and intrigue in each child as they watch the trail riders and hope to one day join them.
Click here to download the 2010 Trail Ride Media Guide.
2010 Trail Ride Listings
Vice Chairman – Susan Buddeke, 713.471.0621
Captain – Belinda Rowell, 713.899.3622
Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride, established in 1973
- 386-mile ride from Hidalgo, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 6, 2010
- Trail Boss: David Ramirez
The Mission Trail Ride, established in 1990
- 235-mile ride from San Antonio, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 16, 2010
- Trail Boss: Daniel Viera
Northeastern Trail Ride, established in 1982
- 108-mile ride from Beaumont, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 21, 2010
- Trail Boss: Anthony Bruno
Old Spanish Trail Ride, established in 1956
- 216-mile ride from Logansport, La.
- Start Date: Feb. 20, 2010
- Trail Boss: Morris W. Brown
Prairie View Trail Ride, established in 1957
- 102-mile ride from Hempstead, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 21, 2010
- Trail Boss: Nannie Francies
Salt Grass Trail Ride, established in 1952
- 90-mile ride from Cat Spring, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 20, 2010
- Trail Boss: Milton Beckendorf
Sam Houston Trail Ride, established in 1955
- 70-mile ride from Montgomery, Texas
- Start date: Feb. 22, 2010
- Trail Boss: David Supak
Southwest Trial Ride, established in 1993
- 120-mile ride from Rosenberg, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 20, 2010
- Trail Boss: Rosalind Brown
Southwestern Trail Ride, established in 1973
- 102-mile ride from Angleton, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 19, 2010
- Trail Boss: Rosetta Gray
The Spanish Trail Ride, established in 1961
- 112-mile ride from Shepherd, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 20, 2010
- Trail Boss: Joe Cantrell
Texas Cattlemen’s Trial Ride, established in 1986
- 85-mile ride from Anderson, Texas
- 2009 start date: Feb. 21, 2010
- Trail Boss: Cliff Wilson
Texas Independence Trail Ride, established in 1961
- 98-mile ride from Brazoria, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 20, 2010
- Trail Boss: Jeff Simpson
Valley Lodge Trial Ride, established in 1959
- 71-mile ride from Brookshire, Texas
- Start Date: Feb. 20, 2010
- Trail Boss: Mike Murphy
Trail Ride Winners
2010
- Spirit Award: Wagon 4, Southwestern
- Spirit Award: Wagon 5, Texas Independence
- Division I: Large Trail Ride – 145+ participants - Salt Grass
- Division II: Medium Trail Ride – 50 to 144 participants - Texas Independence
- Division III: Small Trail Ride – 49 or fewer participants - Los Vaqueros
2009
- Division I: Large Trail Ride – 145+ participants - Salt Grass (also won 2006-2008)
- Division II: Medium Trail Ride – 50 to 144 participants - Valley Lodge (also won 2008)
- Division III: Small Trail Ride – 49 or fewer participants - Texas Cattlemen
