TRAIL RIDES

In 1952, four men traveled on horseback from Brenham, Texas, to raise awareness of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. Today, more than 2,000 trail riders partake in the Rodeo’s signature tradition each year. 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 Rodeo.

Be a part of history and support the 11 trail rides as they cross the great state of Texas toward their destination, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

    PRESERVING A PIECE OF HISTORY

    Texas was once a land of many trails — the arteries that linked the outlying areas with settlements. The only transportation in the early days was powered by horse, mule or oxen, and many trails in different parts of the state were originally paths formed by the repetitive use of settlers. Stagecoach routes also helped establish more trails, and today’s highways are modern day versions of those same routes which connected the more populous areas of the state.

    The groups of people who comprise the 11 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 Rodeo™ as they merge via many routes into Memorial Park and proudly ride Saturday morning in the Downtown Rodeo Parade.

      2024 AWARDS

      SPIRIT AWARD

      Salt Grass Trail Ride

      DIVISION I AWARD
      (Large Trail Ride: 145+ participants)

      Salt Grass Trail Ride

      DIVISION II AWARD
      (Medium Trail Ride: 50-144 participants)

      Valley Lodge Trail Ride

      DIVISION III AWARD
      (Medium Trail Ride: 49 or fewer participants)

      Texas Cattlemen’s Trail Ride

      TRAIL GUIDE

      Mission

      Trail Boss
      Jeremy  Olivarez: 832-660-3757

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Jesus Amaya: 832-788-1807

      Secretary
      Mayra Vargas: 832-903-0658

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 29
      • Established: 1991
      • Start Date: Feb. 17, 2024
      • Location: Goliad, Texas
      • Distance: 206 miles
      • Number of Riders: 75
      • Number of Wagons: 10

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      NORTHEASTERN

      Trail Boss
      Anthony Bruno: 713.530.7986

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Donald Crawford: 936.419.6480

      Secretary
      Karen Hill

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 29
      • Established: 1982
      • Start Date: Feb. 18, 2024
      • Location: Cheeks, Texas
      • Distance: 111 miles
      • Number of Riders: 55
      • Number of Wagons: 9

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      PRARIE VIEW

      Trail Boss
      Myrtis Dightman Jr.: 713.882.3959

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Paul Jackson: 281.706.2148
      Ron Turner, Sr.: 281.415.9536

      Secretary
      Crystal Stewart: 281.736.5990

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 67
      • Established: January 1957
      • Start Date: Feb. 17, 2024
      • Location: Hempstead, Texas
      • Distance: 80 miles
      • Number of Riders: 300
      • Number of Wagons: 9

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      SALT GRASS

      Trail Boss
      Philip Fairchild

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Shane Linnell

      Publication Chair
      Conni Myer: 281.615.3707

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 73
      • Established: January 1952
      • Start Date: Feb. 17, 2024
      • Location: Cat Spring, Texas
      • Distance: 105 miles
      • Number of Riders: 1,000
      • Number of Wagons: 22

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      SAM HOUSTON

      Trail Boss
      David Supak: 713.576.5735

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Keith White: 281.830.6001
      Mark Sechelski: 936.870.6723

      Secretary
      Taryn Sims: 281.804.0944

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 70
      • Established: February 1955
      • Start Date: Feb. 19, 2024
      • Location: Montgomery, Texas
      • Distance: 70 miles
      • Number of Riders: 50-75
      • Number of Wagons: 8

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      SOUTHWEST

      Trail Boss
      Alex Prince: 832.665.6918

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Raymond Glass:  713.826.3580

      Secretary
      Earnetta Qualls 832.724.5055

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 31
      • Established: January 1993
      • Start Date: Feb. 17, 2024
      • Location: Rosenberg, Texas
      • Distance: 120 miles
      • Number of Riders: 294
      • Number of Wagons: 7

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      SOUTHWESTERN

      Trail Boss
      Rosetta Gray: 281.414.9134

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Elizabeth Cook: 713.419.0580

      Secretary
      Gabrielle Curvey: 832.931.6572

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 49
      • Established: January 1973
      • Start Date: Feb. 16, 2024
      • Location: West Columbia, Texas
      • Distance: 100 miles
      • Number of Riders: 250
      • Number of Wagons: 11

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      TEXAS CATTLEMEN'S

      Trail Boss
      Melody Page: 713.828.0657

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Lea Fistein: 409.392.6924

      Secretary
      Leslie Nelson Young: 713.249.3164

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 36
      • Established: January 1985
      • Start Date: Feb. 19, 2024
      • Location: Plantersville, TX
      • Distance: 60 miles
      • Number of Riders: 35
      • Number of Wagons: 3

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      TEXAS INDEPENDENCE

      Trail Boss
      Edward Valles: 832.454.9661

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Linda Easton: 281.755.4394

      Secretary
      Crystal Higgins: 832.361.2016

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 63
      • Established: January 1961
      • Start Date: Feb. 17, 2024
      • Location: Hitchcock, TX
      • Distance: 75 miles
      • Number of Riders: 75-200
      • Number of Wagons: 14

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      THE SPANISH

      Trail Boss
      Larry Cantrell: 936.672.3033

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Jim McGinnis

      Secretary
      Wendy Drabbant

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 64
      • Established: January 1961
      • Start Date: Feb. 17, 2024
      • Location: Shepherd, Texas
      • Distance: 109 miles
      • Number of Riders: 125
      • Number of Wagons: 9

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      VALLEY LODGE

      Trail Boss
      Michael Murphey, Jr.: 832.977.2417

      Assistant Trail Boss
      Willie Fry: 830.385.9092

      Secretary
      Ashleigh Murphey: 254.716.2037

      About the Ride

      • Years of Participation: 65
      • Established: January 1959
      • Start Date: Feb. 17, 2024
      • Location: Brookshire, Texas
      • Distance: 75 miles
      • Number of Riders: 75
      • Number of Wagons: 4

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      TRAIL RIDE HISTORY

      THE ROLE OF THE TRAIL BOSS

      The Trail Boss is the manager of the entourage and its activities, and has the ultimate responsibility for:

        TRAIL RIDE FACTS

        • In January of 1952, the first Trail Ride took place with four men from Brenham, Texas.
        • One year later in 1953, 80 people signed up to start the Salt Grass Trail Ride. By 1954, 800 people were participating.
        • Today, more than 3,000 riders saddle up from all directions, including Louisiana.
        • 11 Trail Rides participate in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Downtown Rodeo Parade.
        • Approximately 1,300 miles are covered by all Trial Rides.
        • Shortest Distance = 75 miles: Valley Lodge Trail Ride begins in Brookshire, Texas.
        • All Trail Rides are led by Trail Bosses, who a responsible for ensuring safety.
        • Many of the horses on the ride are rescued animals. The Texas Independence Trail Ride has such animals, as well as three century old wagons.
        • Many of the trail rides include family members and generations of all ages.
        • Some trail rides distribute scholarships to area students and visit schools to share the history of the Show and trail rides.