All trails lead to Houston : riding to the rodeo / Ray Viator ; foreword by M. Leroy "Shafe" Shafer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Viator, Ray, author, photographer (expression).

Contributor:

Shafer, M. Leroy, writer of foreword.

Series:

Nancy and Ted Paup '74 ranching heritage series

Nancy and Ted Paup ranching heritage series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Organization)--History.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Organization).

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo--History--Pictorial works.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo--Biography.

Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition--Biography.

Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition.

Livestock exhibitions--Texas--Houston--History--Pictorial works.

Livestock exhibitions.

Trail riding--Texas--History--Pictorial works.

Trail riding.

Rodeos--Texas--Houston--History--Pictorial works.

Rodeos.

Ranch life--Texas--History--20th century.

Ranch life.

Texas--Social life and customs--20th century.

Texas.

Manners and customs.

Texas--Houston.

Genre:

photobooks.

Biographies

History

Photobooks

Pictorial works

Photobooks.

Physical Description:

xiv, 241 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 27 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

College Station : Texas A&M University Press, [2024]

Summary:

"For years, veteran Houston photographer Ray Viator has followed the trail rides that lead up to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and has captured the color, the camaraderie, and the flavor of this popular annual event. In All Trails Lead to Houston: Riding to the Rodeo, which opens with a foreword from Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo COO Emeritus Leroy "Shafe" Shafer, Viator's stunning photographs are accompanied by brief narratives and informative sidebars that provide insight into life on a trail -- from sunrise to sunset. The trail rides began in January 1952, when Brenham rancher Reese Lockett and five friends were having lunch in Houston the conversation turned to the joys of riding horses and its place in the Texas ranching tradition. Ultimately, the conversation sparked a challenge and an idea: stage a trail ride from Brenham to Houston as a way of publicizing and promoting the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, formerly known as the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition. Viator provides readers with colorful descriptions of the riders, horses, wagons, and western traditions celebrated each day on each of the twelve rides. All Trails Lead to Houston is a celebration of Texas, western ranching heritage, and culture. That first Salt Grass Trail Ride -- named after the predominant source of grazing for cattle ranchers on the Texas Coastal Plain -- started with Lockett, his friend and fellow rancher Emil H. Marks, and two others. But they were soon joined by more than a dozen other riders. By 1959, participation had soared to more than 90 wagons and 2,000 riders. In the years since, more rides, each covering a different route to Houston have been organized with thousands of riders from all over Texas"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Foreword / M. Leroy "Shafe" Shafer

Preface: Celebrating the Cowboy and Western Heritage / Ray Viator

Acknowledgments

For the Love of Horses

A Day in the Life on a Houston Trail Ride

All Trails Lead to Houston: Salt Grass Trail Ride

Sam Houston Trail Ride

Old Spanish Trail Ride

Prairie View Trail Ride

Valley Lodge Trail Ride

Texas Independence Trail Ride

Spanish Trail Ride

Southwestern Trail Ride

Texas Cattlemen's Trail Ride

Northeastern Trail Ride

Mission Trail Ride

Southwest Trail Ride

Friends along the Trail

Go Texan

Celebrating the End of the Trail Ride

Riders in the Sky

References.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781648431524

1648431526

OCLC:

1379265410