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Trail riders arrive at Memorial Park ahead of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

For more than 70 years, trail riders have made the annual trek on horseback to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Here's what you need to know.

HOUSTON — Saddle up! The trail riders have arrived at Memorial Park as a part of their traditional journey on horseback and wagon ahead of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Rodeo Headlines

When was the first trail ride to the Houston Rodeo?

The first trail ride took place with four men from Brenham, Texas in January 1952, according to the RodeoHouston website. A year later, 80 people signed up to start the Salt Grass Trail Ride. The ride grew to include 800 people by 1954.

What are the routes Rodeo Houston trail riders take?

Most of the trail rides began their trek on Saturday, Feb. 18 as they head to Memorial Park for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The trail riders will then take part in the Downtown Rodeo Parade on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.

Below is a breakdown of each of the trail rides and the routes they are taking to Memorial Park.

If you see the trail riders making their way to town, share photos and videos with us. Send them to us through the Near Me feature of our KHOU 11 News app!

Northeastern Trail Ride from Cheek, Texas

The Northeastern Trail Ride begins on Feb. 18, 2023, in Cheek, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Anthony Bruno. The trail ride was established in 1982 and covers 111 miles. It includes 55 riders and 19 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

Prairie View Trail Ride from Hempstead, Texas

The Prairie View Trail Ride begins on Feb. 19, 2023, in Hempstead, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Myrtis Dightman Jr. The trail ride was established in 1957 and covers 78 miles. It includes 300 riders and 9 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

Salt Grass Trail Ride from Cat Spring, Texas

The Salt Grass Trail Ride begins on Feb. 19, 2023, in Cat Spring, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Philip Fairchild. The trail ride was established in 1952 and covers 105 miles. It includes 1,000 riders and 22 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

Sam Houston Trail Ride from Montgomery, Texas

The Sam Houston Trail Ride begins on Feb. 20, 2023, in Montgomery, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss David Supak. The trail ride was established in 1955 and covers 100 miles. It includes 100 riders and 10 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

Southwest Trail Ride from Rosenberg, Texas

The Southwest Trail Ride begins on Feb. 18, 2023, in Rosenberg, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Alex Prince. The trail ride was established in 1993 and covers 120 miles. It includes 294 riders and 7 wagons.

Southwestern Trail Ride from West Columbia, Texas

The Southwestern Trail Ride begins on Feb. 17, 2023, in West Columbia, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Rosetta Gray. The trail ride was established in 1973 and covers 100 miles. It includes 250 riders and 11 wagons.

Texas Cattlemen's Trail Ride from Magnolia, Texas

The Texas Cattlemen's Trail Ride begins on Feb. 20, 2023, in Magnolia, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Cliff Willson. The trail ride was established in 1985 and covers 60 miles. It includes 35 riders and 3 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

Texas Independence Trail Ride from La Marque, Texas

The Texas Independence Trail Ride begins on Feb. 18, 2023, in La Marque, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Edward Valles. The trail ride was established in 1961 and covers 75 miles. It includes 50-100 riders and 14 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

The Spanish Trail Ride from Shepherd, Texas

The Spanish Trail Ride begins on Feb. 18, 2023, in Shepherd, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Larry Cantrell. The trail ride was established in 1961 and covers 109 miles. It includes 125 riders and 9 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

Valley Lodge Trail Ride from Brookshire, Texas

The Valley Lodge Trail Ride begins on Feb. 18, 2023, in Brookshire, Texas, and is led by Trail Boss Michael Murphey Jr. The trail ride was established in 1959 and covers 75 miles. It includes 74 riders and 4 wagons.

Check out the map of their ride below:

Houston Rodeo trail ride updates

Friday, Feb. 24

1:40 PM: Trail riders make their way through the Memorial Park tunnels.

11:35 AM: The Southwestern Trail Riders Association making their annual pit stop in the Bellaire area before heading to Memorial Park.  

11 AM: The Salt Grass Trail Ride was spotted in northwest Harris County.

7:40 AM: The Salt Grass Trail Ride headed out this morning for the final leg our their journey.

Posted by Salt Grass Trail Ride Association on Friday, February 24, 2023

Thursday, Feb. 23

2:40 PM: The Salt Grass Trail Ride made its way to the Harris County Fairgrounds.

Posted by Salt Grass Trail Ride Association on Thursday, February 23, 2023

Wednesday, Feb. 22

5 PM: Prairie View Trail Riders as they make their way to Memorial Park before participating in Saturday's RodeoHouston parade. 

9:19 AM: The Salt Grass Trail Ride said goodbye to Miller's pasture.

Miller’s pasture is always such a blessing to the Salt Grass Trail Ride! Special Thanks to the Miller’s & especially Joy Miller watching over us from above. May she Rest In Peace

Posted by Salt Grass Trail Ride Association on Wednesday, February 22, 2023

7:26 AM: The Valley Lodge Trail Ride departed Jones Creek Park and made their way towards the Gallery Furniture along the Grand Parkway.   

Tuesday, Feb. 21

NOON: The Salt Grass Trail Ride makes its way to Miller's pasture.

2023 Salt Grass Trail Ride 16 Wagons rolling today into Miller’s pasture over 200 riders! Whip & ride, whoop!

Posted by Salt Grass Trail Ride Association on Tuesday, February 21, 2023

8:55 AM: The Salt Grass Trail Ride said goodbye to the Waller County Fairgrounds where they camped out Monday night.

Posted by Salt Grass Trail Ride Association on Tuesday, February 21, 2023

TUESDAY AM: KHOU 11's Brandi Smith caught up with the Sam Houston trail riders along Highway 249. The group set off on Monday and made their way to Tomball on Tuesday.

Before it got there, it stopped to meet with crowds at the Woodtrace Subdivision and a lot of kids were excited to see the animals and their riders.

Check out Brandi Smith's full report from Tuesday.

Monday, Feb. 20

9:17 PM: The Northeastern Trail Ride made its way to Devers, Texas and shared a great aerial view of their journey.

Posted by Northeastern Trailriders Association Houston on Monday, February 20, 2023

9:02 AM: The Texas Independence Trail Ride checked from Alvin, Texas as they headed toward NASA.

Headed to NASA! A beautiful Monday with an awesome group of people and animals! 2023 TITRA Weeklong Trail Ride into Houston & HLSR PARADE Thank you AYLAA!

Posted by Texas Independence Trail Ride Assoc on Monday, February 20, 2023

Sunday, Feb. 19

5:05 PM: The Southwest Trail Ride shared a photo of their church service in Needville, Texas from Sunday.

Southwest TrailRiders Trail Ride Church Service!

Posted by Southwest Trailrider's Association - SWTRA on Sunday, February 19, 2023

3:19 PM: The Salt Grass Trail Ride made it to Bellville, Texas in the afternoon. They stayed at the Austin County Fairgrounds  

Posted by Salt Grass Trail Ride Association on Sunday, February 19, 2023

9:05 AM: The Salt Grass Trail Ride shared a live video of the beginning of their journey coming from Cat Spring, Texas.

Posted by Salt Grass Trail Ride Association on Sunday, February 19, 2023

SUNDAY AM: A 100-mile journey launched from West Columbia down in Brazoria County Sunday morning as the Southwestern Trail ride started its journey to Houston.

It's one of the larger of the 10 trail rides and will wind its way through McBeth, Juliff and Fresno before it pulls up in Memorial Park on Friday. Of course, these riders will then be part of the downtown Rodeo parade Saturday morning.

Check out Brandi Smith's full report from Sunday.

Saturday, Feb. 18

SATURDAY AM: The Texas Independence riders set off from La Marque early Saturday morning. The ride got its start in 1961 and Juan Ochoa has been there every year since.

“It's the crowd,” he said. “I enjoy my horseback riding. I enjoy the people. I have a lot of respect for the riders and they all respect me.”

Check out Brandi Smith's full report from Saturday.

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