The rodeo began in 1931, thanks to a group of Texans and their vision in the activities of livestock, farming, and rodeo as a sport (which has existed for the last 100 years).

This was a growth opportunity for the industry and entertainment of all Texans. The activities not only brought honor, but a legendary status to the Texan community. The show has become the heart of the southwest of the United States, which beats strongly thanks to the combined effort of more than 22,000 volunteers, who, year after year, contribute their time, talent and ideas so that each year the biggest livestock exhibition and rodeo is better than the year before.

In addition to its indisputable role in entertainment, growth and promotion of the agricultural activities and the promotion of the rodeo as a sport, this grand event has
one additional profound and transcendental role. Since 1957, the principal objective of the show has been to stimulate education through the numerous scholarships through the 4-H program and to instill within the youth the love and respect for the animals and the agricultural activities through the support of the state-funded program called Future Farmers of America. Since the inception of these student programs, the Houston Livestock and Rodeo has provided the Texan youth over $250 million.

Throughout the 77 years of the show, expectations and dreams of the committee have surpassed each year. The popularity and importance of this event has made it possible that each year its own record is surpassed regarding attendance (more then 1,800,000 for the duration of the event), the money collected for education, attendance at the concerts and the rodeo championships. Sales records are broken in the different cattle auctions, which take place during the international week. These auctions are celebrated uninterrupted and are focused in attracting national and international buyers to experience and participate in biggest and most complete exposition and cattle auctions in the world.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo generates approximately $345 million in business and earnings for the metropolitan Houston area. More than 400,000 hotel rooms are booked during the days of the event and more then 1,800,000 meals are served to both visitors and exhibitors each year. We invite you to share and enjoy this Texan tradition.

A special thanks...

With immense pride and brotherly love I wish to acknowledge the great effort made by my brother, Andres Woodcock, his wife Johanna, my newphew Pablo Andres Delgado and my niece Catherine Woodcock, his collaborators, his professional riders Joaquin Suarez and Rodrigo Brand at the rodeo in Houston TX, for their contribution and gallant presentation of the Colombian Paso Fino horse. During six consecutive days and seven very colorful, musical and magical presentations, history at this rodeo was made. This was the first time in the rodeo’s history that this particular race was present, opening opportunities for all of those currently involved in this industry.

The invited guests, both local and international, left with the best images possible of this very noble horse, full of brio and smoothness. I am confident this has been the best contribution to the industry of the Paso Fino horse. On behalf of my family and myself I would like to thank the board of directors of the Houston Rodeo for their attention and great collaboration. I wish to congratulate them for this magnificent event and wish them succes in the upcoming years. In our next edition we will have more coverage of this.