This Thing Is Legendary!

The rodeo is a big deal in Texas, but it actually had its beginning in Mexico 500 years ago. At the Fort Worth Stock Show, there is a rodeo nearly every night for two weeks. Tickets are sold out months in advance for the big events at the Will Rogers Colesium. The Mexican Rodeo we attended had plenty of available seating, so we took advantage of the opportunity. It's different from other rodeos because of the emphasis on music, colorful outfits, and family participation. Beautiful senoritas with big hoop dresses and riding side saddle make this show unique. The riders we saw participate in national championships and practice three times per week. Gloria loved the bucking broncs, while Jerry liked the bull riding events. The trick riders and clowns did a great job. As one writer said, "It's all about family, tradition, and history. You have some average rodeo fans who attend, but (others) appreciate ranching heritage and understand what it took to get here."

Prior to the show we observed barrel racing, cattle being shown, and livestock being sold. Jerry, an advocate of "taking the bull by the horns," recommends keeping a fence between self and the bull.

We loved the exhibits, which included everything found in a typical fair. We even treated ourselves to a corndog. Most of the items being sold had a Texas flair.