By: Tucker Wilson
February 3rd – Before members of the Prairie View Trail Riders Association hit the road on their way to the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo, they made a stop on the campus of Prairie View A&M University. This stop can be considered a prerequisite to their participation in the trail ride and the show’s parade.
That’s because Saturday, February 1st, 2020, the final wagon inspection workshop took place at the Carden-Waller Extension building on campus. The workshop is a crucial step before the wagons hit the trail to participate in the 63rd annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo trail ride. The PV Trail Riders will join other clubs and travel from Hempstead on horseback and horse-drawn wagons to take part in the annual HLSR’s kickoff parade. Saturday’s inspection workshop was to ensure all of the wagons meet safety protocol. The workshop also covered proper safety measures for trail riders and club members to use throughout the week of travel.
“The first wagon inspection was held in November. Saturday’s workshop was for those who failed the preliminary inspection. For the teams to participate in the trail ride, the wagons must pass inspection,” said event organizer and PVTRA member, Lenice Brown. “Team bosses are responsible for ensuring their wagons are present for the inspection.”
Brown said, while Saturday’s emphasis was on wagon inspections, the workshop’s focus is designed to ensure overall safety for all participants while they’re on the trail ride. That attention to safety was something Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo CEO, Joel Cowley, noted and praised the trail riders on as he addressed the group. “I also commend you on having the safety meeting each year. You cannot have a good experience unless you’re safe, and you take the necessary precautions.”
Before he inspected the wagons, PVAMU’s Fire Marshall Darren White, provided detailed information about carbon monoxide dangers and proper fire extinguisher use. Brown said that information has been useful during the 87-mile trip to the HLSR parade. “One year, we had a situation where a fire started, and because of this training, we were able to get it under control before help arrived,” she added.
This year’s workshop attracted more students and younger participants. Those students tried their hand at the safe way to operate a fire extinguisher. Cowley was enthused to see the young people present and engaged at the workshop. He discussed the critical role trial riders play in the HLSR. “I want to express my gratitude to the Prairie View Trail Riders because you and the other eleven, build awareness for the show, and you celebrate our Western heritage.” He jokingly added, “nothing signals the start of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to the average Houstonian more than a traffic jam caused by the trial riders. It gets their attention, more than that it celebrates our western heritage, and that’s something we need to keep alive and pass along to the youth.”
Students at the workshop were entered to win door prizes and received information about scholarships available through the university and the HLSR. On Saturday, four wagons were inspected.
For more information about the Prairie View Trail Riders Association, please contact Ms. Lenice Brown at lbrown225@gmail.com or (936) 261-1068.