Southwestern Trail Riders leave Tom Bass Park near Pearland TexasAnother sure sign of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season is the emergence of the trail riders.  Reliving the history of the Old West, riders saddle up every year and head to the Show from various parts of the state.  Originally conceived to increase awareness of the Show in 1952 with four participants, the trail rides today now include more than 3,000 riders.

Just around the corner from Pearland, the Southwestern Trail Riders originated their ride from Angleton, Texas on Saturday, February 21.  Last night they made their overnight camp at Tom Bass Park just outside Pearland on Highway 288 and Beltway 8.

Southwestern Trail Riders leave Tom Bass Park outside of PearlandThis morning, over 250 riders with 9 wagons will head out of Tom Bass Park to complete the final leg of their journey to Memorial Park in Houston.  Around 9:30 a.m. the riders will pull out of Tom Bass Park, U-turn on Beltway 8 then head towards Almeda School Road for their next stop at Hwy. 521/Almeda Road & Fellows Road for a lunch break before heading to Post Oak Arena for an overnight camp.

Look for the Southwestern Trail Riders along with a dozen other Trail Ride groups in the Downtown Rodeo Parade on Saturday, February 28 which begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Bagby and Walker streets in Downtown Houston.  Go Rodeo!