Wednesday, March 22 – It's rodeo time in Houston. We spent the day enjoying the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show. Wednesday is senior day with free admission. We chose to pay $10 so we could also see the rodeo events and the concert. The rodeo is held at the huge Reliant Stadium and nearby events center.
We were going to park off site and ride the light rail to the stadium, but the place we normally park was full so we bit the bullet and paid $15 for parking. It turned out pretty good because we were early enough to get close-up parking and jumped on the shuttle for a ride to the front gate.
We started at the horse arena and watched the kids showing their horses. We enjoy the kids that work so hard to prepare for these events. Even though we are not ranchers and don't really know much about horses, it is obvious these kids spend hours and hours preparing to show their horses.
This little girls was so proud parading her horse around the arena. 
Next, we went over to the events center where the livestock show is held. We started with the kids area where they were showing piglets being born, chickens laying eggs, cows being milked, and a petting arena for the kids. So far this livestock show there have been 12 lambs, 58 piglets, 16 calves born at the birthing area. Marsha just loves mingling with the kids and seeing these all goings on.
These guys acted like they were starving.
The boss man checking things out.
We then strolled through the livestock area. Today was cattle judging day. The livestock show is so huge they have to move animals in for the particular events. Pigs one week, sheep & goats another, cattle another week and so on.
Established as the Houston Fat Stock Show in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has grown to more than 30,000 entries. The Houston Livestock Show is organized by three categories of competitions: Junior Show, Open Show and Youth Show.
The Show is not only the largest livestock show, but also sets world records at the junior market show auctions. In 2016, junior auctions, including school art, totaled a record $12,350,133. (All info taken from the official website.) This year we saw some very unique colors on the cattle.
It was nice to see our neck brace for cows was a big hit.
After judging in the arena the winners are moved to an area where they are weighed and branded with the official Houston Rodeo brand. That was really cool to watch!
In the following photo, we saw this little girl with her dad earlier getting her prize position ready for the show. She took third place in her group.
Look how hot that iron is.
End result. No pun intended…lol
There is a sales area where everything from cowboy boots and hats to toffee is for sale. We did pickup a couple free toffee samples but passed on any additional purchases.
What a steal at only $175.00. We passed.
This guy was amazing.
No Paul!
How many of you go to a rodeo looking for a puppet? So strange.
They have wonderful information about Texas throughout the entire building.
Don’t worry about going hungry here. There are tons of places to eat with just about anything available under the sun.
Next up was relaxing at the wine garden. We shared a bottle of wine and listened to some music killing a little time until the rodeo began at the stadium. The weather was perfect and the wine garden was soon packed. We grabbed a quick sandwich and then headed over to the main event – the rodeo.
The gal at the table next to us had boots on that Marsha wants. She even poised so Marsha could get a photo.
Everything is bigger in Texas.
In our next blog, we’ll tell you all about the big rodeo!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
Lots of fun. Hope all is well with Paul. I want you to model those boots the next time we see you.
ReplyDeleteHow totally awesome!! I've never been to a "real" rodeo and this sounds like the grandaddy of them all. I assume this is held at the same time every year??
ReplyDeleteLove how the kids are involved.
Can't wait to hear about the rodeo and see the pics!! Have fun!!
Looks like Paul must have gotten a good report from the cardiologist since he looks very happy drinking that wine!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Paul must have gotten a good report from the cardiologist since he looks very happy drinking that wine!
ReplyDeleteLooks all is good and you are enjoying the rodeo, looking forward to the rodeo pictures.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy seeing the animals at events with livestock showings. Watching the kids is so much fun. That is one LARGE pig!! Looks like a few of the piglets were getting buried by the others:) What neat looking cattle with that interesting color! Now those are some horns!! Don't get to close or you'll end up on the skewered:) Paul looks perfect on that tractor...men and their toys! I was surprised to read about Texas having the first vineyard. I never thought of it as a wine producing state. Sure was a great day:)
ReplyDeleteDave swears we always get the bad weather when the rodeo is in town.
ReplyDeleteSaw a report in the Houston Chronicle this morning that the grand prize steer went for $345,000. . .wow. . .that's amazing! A great reward for all the hard work. . .
Paul looks great on that John Deere. . . be a dear, and get him one. LOL!
Yep..... We are going to have to go to that someday. Right now I have other things on my mind.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you made a day of it at the rodeo. If Paul wants to go in halfers we can buy the John Deere and I will keep it at the cabin in PA. Of course he can use it when he wants. LOL
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you all made it safely to Houston and hope Paul's doctor visits went well with great results.
Have fun out there.
Wow what a fun time. We have been to a bull riding show before but never to a rodeo. In our hometown of Ottawa they have an annual summer exhibition with rides and such but they also do a livestock show similar to the one you just saw. It can be very interesting to see the kids and adults showing their pride and joy. Never saw any birthing centres though, that would have been cool to see.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the rodeo!
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
We had the pleasure of going to a Little Britches rodeo last September. Our dear friend's daughters literally could ride before they could walk. They are 8 and 12 now and win at everything. So much fun.
ReplyDeleteThe wine must have helped lure Paul off the John Deere.
ReplyDeleteRodeos are so much fun. You're lucky you didn't end up buying a trailer to haul that John Deere home for Paul!
ReplyDeleteHope Paul got a good report from the cardiologist. The rodeo looks fun and big, the definition of Texas.
ReplyDelete