Every year in March, Houston becomes every stereotype known to Texas. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes over the city and it’s one of the best months to be in Houston. The rodeo consists of a lot more than just (real) cowboys riding horses, it’s also a BBQ cook-off, carnival, concert series, livestock show and more!
To see all the rodeo events inside NRG Stadium, you must purchase a concert ticket. They range anywhere from $18.00 to over $200.00. I bought our tickets way in advance since Fall Out Boy was the performer for that day and Aiden loves them (hello, Big Hero 6). You can also buy general admission tickets which gives you access to the carnival, petting zoo, livestock show, and rows and rows of shopping from vendors across America.
For this blog post, I’m highlighting all the awesome events that make up the RodeoHouston BP Super Series. Some of the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls compete in this invitation-only rodeo which has a purse totaling $1.69 million.
Grand Entry
Tie Down Roping
Bareback Riding
Team Roping
Saddle Bronc Riding
Steer Wrestling
Barrel Racing
Bull Riding
Chuck Wagon Race
Calf Scramble
Each night, a selective group of FFA students from all over the state compete for a chance to catch one of the 14 calves. They have to catch it, halter it, and then bring it back into the winner square before they can be declare a “winner”. Every student who is lucky enough to catch one of the calves receives money to purchase a heifer or market steer that they must rear and bring back to the rodeo the following year.
Mutton Bustin’
No doubt the fan favorite portion of the rodeo. Mutton Bustin’ is when a selective group of 5-6 year old boys and girls compete to see who can ride a sheep the furthest and longest. There’s a whole lot of cuteness (and some tears) in this part of the rodeo! And don’t worry, if you don’t get selected, there is a Mutton Bustin’ tent out in the carnival where your son or daughter can ride for a small fee.
A few years ago, Aiden was selected to participate in the Mutton Bustin’ portion of the rodeo. He got to “ride” in front of a crowd of 70,000+ that afternoon! Check him out at the 2:30 mark. Proud Mommy Moment for sure!
Check out Part II here!
Don’t forget to follow along on social media!
Looks like y'all had a great time! What a great video of Aiden – just so cute!
That is so cool that he was chosen to participate! This sounds a lot like the Calgary Stampede. I have lots of family in Calgary so we went a few times when I was younger, although I don't remember ever really watching the more typical rodeo aspects of the Stampede, haha. Mostly just walking around the grounds and the concerts and what not. Fun though!
Rodeo is always a great time! I still can't believe he got selected to participate! The first year we applied, he didn't make it but got picked the second year!
I've noticed throughout the years that a lot of cowboys hail from Canada 🙂 There's probably a Canadian or two in my pictures! It's just a fun time in Houston, the only time I whip out my cowboy boots lol
We are trying to decide if we should go to Rodeo Austin even though we're not really country folk. Looks fun!
Do it! I'm definitely not country (hence we picked Fall Out Boy to see) but it's just a cool experience. It's like experiencing a different culture! lol I own one pair of cowboy boots and only wear them once a year… at rodeo 🙂
This looks like a real experience! And I like your great action shots 🙂 I went to a small one in Chile but the atmosphere was nothing like what your one looks like. What fun!
I'm so sad I'm missing rodeo season, first time in at least 13 years! That's so awesome that Aiden got to do the mutton Bustin'- that's my favorite!
Thanks Marcella! How cool that you got to see a rodeo in Chile! What was it like? Did they have some of the same events?
If you're going to break your rodeo streak, being in Australia is a pretty good reason 🙂 I still can't believe Aiden got picked to do Mutton Bustin', a friend of ours went with us and she started crying when it was Aiden's turn cause she was so "proud" lol You know you're in Texas when riding a sheep makes people cry! lol
Wow, this looks like quite the production! I went to a rodeo in South Dakota once, but this looks like a whole other animal, if you will 🙂 Your last shot is incredible!! I adore sheep – now I want to go to see some mutton bustin'!
These pictures are fabulous! I went to my first rodeo ever this weekend. It was such a blast!
Thanks Ellen! How was your experience? I love going just because it feels like such a different culture right in my own state!
Totally! Indoor fireworks and everything! You would love the Livestock Show portion of the rodeo, baby farm animals everywhere! I wanted to take home a baby goat lol
My husband's brother has just moved to Houston and I am so excited to visit and especially to go to rodeo. It looks like so much fun x
Thanks Jamie! When y'all are back Stateside, you'll need to make it back to Texas in March 🙂
Awesome! Yes, come visit in March! Rodeo is such a fun time… even though this March has been super rainy 🙁 kinda like England weather! lol
To be honest, I don't even know which events they were doing! I was a bit confused by the whole thing. The one I went to was very small one, just at a local fair. I guess they must do bigger ones!
Its such a strange looking event! I can't imagine riding a sheep, they are so much more lively and bouncy when you are up close to them!
Such a fun thing to watch! I always worry about the welfare of the animals at events like this though?
Wait a minut… I was JUST there!! Haha I wrote about it too but your photos turned out so much better than mine did. The calf scramble was definitely one of my favorite parts… I died laughing, hahaha! Were these from this year or another year?
Ha! We were there on Sunday for Fall Out Boy (but I've gone every year for a loooong time, I'm old lol). The video and picture of my son Mutton Bustin' was from 2013 though. What day did you go?
Lol, it's like a whole new world! There were some baby sheep in the petting zoo and they were soooo cute! All the animals were! It's funny cause you're like how can you ride a sheep? But then you see these kids on them and it's like the sheep are the perfect size! lol
I think for the most part (I'm sure there are some bad seeds) everyone takes care of their animals, especially since some of their scores depends on the animal anyways (like bull riding, etc.). I guess most calves are raised to be eaten or to be in shows, and I'm thinking the latter is better lol.
I was only in Houston for about 2 days and we realized I should've gone to the rodeo the day I arrived because… it was John Legend. I'm still crying about it. So we went the next day instead… Alan Jackson… LOL. Was told this was the most country day I could've went hahah.
Very true. I bet they are so well cared for so they perform their best in shows?
I have never been to the Houston Rodeo, well at least not that I can recall.. it looks like you had a blast!