Rodeos are a renowned and long-standing tradition in Texas. These events feature the skills of cowboys ranging from calf roping to bull riding to bareback riding. The atmosphere is always charged and leads to memorable experiences. Most rodeo events take place from spring to December, and they have grown to become some of the most popular sporting events in the United States. Several rodeo events have been around for a hundred years, maintaining the traditional appeal they provide attendees. There are some rodeo events you simply must see in your lifetime, and here are the top five.
The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
Held in San Antonio every year since 1959, this rodeo show is one of the largest ones in the United States attracting over 1 million people annually. It is typically held in February and features rare and exciting events including steer wrestling, bareback riding, bull riding, extreme bulls, and saddle bronco riding. They even have a ‘mutton-busting’ (riding a sheep for at least six seconds) event just for kids! This show also features major performing artists which have included Miranda Lambert and Journey.
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
This Rodeo in Austin has run since 1938. While it hosts all the standard events like bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and more, it also has a strong educational focus. It promotes agricultural education and has provided over $5 million in scholarships annually since 1981. It is run as a family-friendly with a fair and live entertainment shows alongside the rodeo. This rodeo show is one of the largest outdoor professional shows in the U.S., it’s no wonder it’s referred to as the “Star of Texas”.
Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo
This massive rodeo show began in 1931. Like its Austin counterpart, this show has a college scholarship program which provides $12 million scholarships annually. This rodeo show typically attracts more than 2 million visitors every year and runs from the end of February to the beginning of March. This rodeo is more than 80 years old and features championship rodeo competitions and several other entertaining events.
Fort Worth Rodeo
This is a 23-day long rodeo show that has run since 1896. Over a million visitors troop into Fort Worth, Texas to witness this rodeo every year. There are several popular events in the Forth Worth Rodeo show, including the World Class livestock events, live music shows, cowboy shows, and more.
The IPRA Stockyards Championship Rodeo
Another favourite of Fort Worth, the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) Stockyards Championship Rodeo is the world’s only year-round rodeo. It is held every Friday and Saturday night at the Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum. It features over two hours of authentic cowboy experience. These are family-friendly events that the kids will love. Kids under three get in for free!
Rodeos offer some of the best experiences you would ever enjoy at an outdoor event. The rodeo events listed here are sure to give you a taste of what’s available from the best of the best in the rodeo sphere.
“Image” via Pixabay by skeeze. Used with permission via Creative Commons CC0 | cropped from original