Houston trail rides maps: 12 groups riding to city ahead of rodeo parade
True Western Trail Ride: First new trail ride in more than 20 years
For the first time in more than 20 years, a new trail ride is joining the other trail rides making their way down to NRG for the Houston rodeo. FOX 26's Nate Griffin speaks to them as they prepare to head out.
HOUSTON - Trail riders are on their way to Houston, ushering in the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season.
Twelve trail rides will converge at Memorial Park in Houston this week and ride in the Downtown Rodeo Parade on Saturday.
What are the trail rides?
The backstory:
Every year leading up to the rodeo, riders on horseback and in carriages make their way to Houston, their journeys spanning dozens of miles and multiple days.
Trail riders come from diverse backgrounds and span all ages. Some trail riders have multiple generations.
By the numbers:
According to the rodeo, the first trail ride began with four men in 1952 who traveled on horseback from Brenham to raise awareness of the event. Since then, the annual tradition has grown to more than 2,000 trail riders traveling from cities around Southeast Texas.
- The trail rides cover about 1,300 miles combined.
- The Mission Trail Ride is the longest. It begins in Goliad and covers 206 miles.
- Salt Grass Trail Ride is the oldest trail ride, beginning in 1952. It has grown to 1,000 riders.
- The first new trail ride in more than 20 years – True Western – is making the trek this year.
Mission Vaqueros Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Goliad, Texas, spanning 206 miles with more than 180 riders and eight wagons.
Northeastern Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Cheeks, Texas, and covers 110 miles with 55 riders and five wagons.
Prairie View Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Hempstead, Texas, covering 80 miles with 300 riders and nine wagons.
Salt Grass Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Cat Spring, Texas, covering 105 miles with 1,000 riders and 19 wagons.
Sam Houston Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Montgomery, Texas, traveling 70 miles with 50–75 riders and four wagons.
Southwest Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Rosenberg, Texas, covering 120 miles with 294 riders, six wagons and two guest wagons.
Southwestern Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in West Columbia, Texas, traveling 97 miles with 250 riders and 12 wagons.
Texas Cattlemen’s Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Plantersville, Texas, traveling 60 miles with 35 riders and two wagons.
Texas Independence Trail Ride
This trail ride starts in La Marque, Texas, traveling 75 miles with 75–200 riders and 14 wagons.
The Spanish Trail Ride
This trail ride starts in Shepherd, Texas, spanning 109 miles with 125 riders and 11 wagons.
True Western Trail Ride
This trail ride starts in Brookshire, Texas, spanning 89 miles with 150 riders, five wagons and one guest wagon. This is their first year participating.
Valley Lodge Trail Ride
This trail ride begins in Simonton, Texas, covering 75 miles with 75 riders and four wagons.
The Source: The information in this article is from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.