When my daughter moved to Texas in late summer of 2021, one of our many stops included seeing our first-ever rodeo at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Although it’s very unnerving to watch the riders get bucked off the bulls, the overall rodeo experience was so special, we brought more of our New York clan down this past December for the Christmas show.
According to simplytexan, “Rodeos stand as a cornerstone of Texas culture, showcasing the state’s deep-rooted cowboy heritage.” When my youngest and I went to the rodeo, we didn’t even know there was such a thing as the Cowboy Channel on television. As I’ve written about in other Texas Tuesday posts, what’s common in the great state (especially to native Texans) is foreign to us in NY.
The Ft. Worth Rodeo primarily includes bull riding, barrel racing and roping. The shows also include other fun events such as allowing the children to enter the arena for a safe, kid-friendly calf scramble!
During both rodeo visits, I covered my face each time a bull bucked off its rider. It was (and still is) scary to watch! We developed a strong respect and appreciation for what bull riders do in their sport. We also wondered, whyyy do it? The same could be said of race car driving and countless other dangerous sports.
When the women come out for barrel racing, thankfully they aren’t being bucked off their horses, but their riding speed and circling the barrels is incredible. They are true athletes.
Roping:
One of the highlights of the rodeo (and Texas-at-large) is their patriotism and reverence for our military. Texas state pride is virtually unmatched from what I’ve read and personally experienced. I took the following photos during the December rodeo. Standing and removing hats was announced as a statement, not a request. Our group had tears in their eyes, grateful for the genuine respect displayed by the rodeo staff and participants.
We attended the December rodeo the same weekend we were at The Drover, which I posted about in January. We also spent a little time at the Fort Worth Stockyards where a longhorn cattle drive takes place twice daily on most days. We took the following photos:
There are several more events at the Stockyards and the Stock Show and Rodeo. Many fun activities are for children and would certainly be worth attending if you have young ones in your life.
It has been a joy traveling literally thousands of miles within the Lone Star state. There are a couple more Texas Tuesday posts coming at some point. Then, I’ll have to fly back down for new experiences to share!
Thank you for reading and have a terrific Tuesday!
Internet images: please click on photo for source/location. Post title playing on idiom “It Ain’t My First Rodeo!”
Tales from a Mid-Lifer 
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