Schools, parishes throughout Galveston-Houston two-step through Texas heritage, Rodeo history

St. Jerome Catholic School students cheer as Salt Grass Trail Riders pass by the Spring Branch area school on Go Texan Day, Feb. 27, as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The arrival of the trail riders signals the start of Rodeo season in the Archdiocese. (Photos by James Ramos/Herald)SPRING BRANCH — On Feb. 27, Go Texan Day, the steady clop of hooves, the rumble of wagon wheels and the easy sway of riders on horseback signaled the arrival of rodeo season as trail riders made their annual trek into the Bayou City for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. 

Their long rides stitched 12 unforgettable paths through the Archdiocese, carrying Texas tradition straight across parish grounds, school communities and the Lenten rhythms of Catholic life. 

Because the day fell on a Friday in Lent, Catholic trail riders faced a uniquely Houston challenge. Barbecue smoke drifted over the road, but brisket and sausage were off limits. Some riders laughed about the test of willpower, turning it into a moment of fasting or hunting for a parish fish fry once they reached the city. 

With a loud howdy, students at St. Jerome Catholic School cheered, waved and even played Rock, Paper, Scissors with the Salt Grass Trail Riders, which counts at least 1,000 riders and 19 wagons among its crew from Cat Spring, Texas, as they clopped past the school on Kempwood Drive in a display of Texas heritage and history. 

The trail riders mirror the Archdiocese’s earliest days, when clergy like its first bishop, Jean Marie Odin, rode on horseback across Texas to reach and minister to scattered Catholic communities in the 1800s. 

The trail ride groups themselves, more than 2,000 strong, brought a deep history to this moment. The Salt Grass Trail Ride, the oldest of Houston’s official rides, celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. It first rode in 1952 and now travels about 105 miles from Cat Spring (near Bellville), earning its place as the “granddaddy of them all.” 

Mission Vaqueros travels the farthest, beginning in Goliad and covering about 206 miles before reaching Memorial Park, a multi-day journey that highlights the endurance behind the tradition. Other longtime groups carry distinct identities of their own, including the Prairie View Trail Ride, founded in 1957 and known as a historic Black trail riding group, and Valley Lodge, remembered for its long legacy and flair. 

St. Ambrose Catholic School and Parish became a lively midday pit stop, with horses tied along the sidewalks and wagons filling the parking lot. 

Catholic riders had Lenten-friendly lunches, stretched their legs, and talked with parish staff and lines of St. Ambrose School students who stepped outside to greet them. 

Farther south, the caravan passed Corpus Christi Catholic Church off Stella Link, where parishioners paused their day to enjoy the surprise cowboy procession. In Hitchcock, early risers at Our Lady of Lourdes were treated to a sunrise view of riders trotting past against a glowing marshland sky. 

Regina Caeli Parish offered one of the most memorable acts of hospitality by hosting an overnight stay for one of the trail ride crews. Volunteers welcomed riders with Lenten-appropriate meals, warm smiles and a quiet place to camp under the stars. The Catholic Charismatic Center provided another welcome pause along the way, giving riders shade, restrooms and water for both horses and riders. Covered wagons parked outside the large cross-topped building drew neighbors who wandered over to wave and snap photos. 

Catholic schools across the Archdiocese also embraced rodeo season with their own traditions. Students took field trips to NRG Park to explore the carnival, the birthing center, the livestock barns and the agricultural exhibits that connect classroom lessons to Texas heritage. Students also took part in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program, which, for more than 50 years, has invited young artists from pre-K through grade 12 to compete in district shows.

 Their winning artwork appears in the Hayloft Gallery during the Rodeo, and top students earn scholarships and summer workshop opportunities. The program now supports about 130 districts, including private and parochial schools, and receives thousands of entries each year. 

Together, these trail rides and school celebrations revealed Houston’s rare blend of cowboy culture and Catholic community life. Go Texan Day marks the start of Rodeo season, and this year it carried the layered meaning of Lenten discipline meeting Texas tradition. 

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo may be known for bright lights, concerts and championship livestock, but on the roads leading into the city, its heart remains simple: hospitality, heritage, faith and the people who keep those traditions alive. And this year, that spirit rolled straight through the Archdiocese.