Rodeo season brings riders through town for 57 years

On a trail ride roughly 70 miles in length, it is vital to stop and take a break every once in a while.

Every year since 1955, the band of trail riders from Montgomery County travel down the Sam Houston trail on their way to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and every year they have come through the City of Tomball along FM 2978.

The Sam Houston Trail Riders are one group of 12 that make the trek to the rodeo every year from as far out as Reynosa, Mexico. The original Salt Grass Trail Ride took off from Brenham, Texas, in 1952 and consisted of only four men. The ride was organized to generate publicity for the rodeo. By the next year, more than 80 people participated.

Over time, the tradition grew to involve more than 3,000 riders, according to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Sam Houston Trail Ride is the second oldest of the rides.

It was not until the 1970s when the Tomball Chamber of Commerce started hosting the annual Trail Riders Reception to welcome them into town, according to Doris Speer, Tomball city secretary. Then in the '90s, under Mayor H.G. "Hap" Harrington, the city took over the official duties of hosting the event.

"It's a good will sort of thing," Speer said. "Everyone is invited to come out and greet the trail riders. Most of the rodeo is in Houston, so we just try to bring a little bit of rodeo flavor to Tomball for the day."

The Trail Riders Reception is perhaps the biggest way the City of Tomball is involved in the rodeo each year. It has taken place at a variety of locations, including Heritage Plaza, and most recently, the Tomball Historic Depot Plaza.

In the past, as many as 200 riders using 17 wagons have participated, according to Speer. This year, the trail riders departed Feb. 19 and arrived in Tomball around 1 p.m. Feb. 21. Roughly 300 riders and 12 wagons were in tow.

David Supak has taken part in the ride for the past 15 years, and has been the trail boss for the past five.

"It's a part of my heritage," he said. "We all grew up in the country. It's just something that never gets out of your blood."

Supak said he plans to lead the riders for as long as he can. He said he has always been appreciative of the warm reception offered by the city.

"The five years of being trail boss have been the best five years of my life," he said.

The reception is typically celebrated with live music and square dancing. The mayor presents the trail officers with a proclamation declaring it "Trail Riders Day." The riders also award scholarships to local students for outstanding academic achievements. Then, the police department eventually escorts them to Spring Creek Park where they spend the night.

Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan presided over the event this year and recognized the significance of the tradition to the city.

"This event has a good effect on the city," she said. "The people of Tomball are always eager to see [the trail riders] when they come through."