The City of Tomball continued an annual tradition last week when it welcomed the Sam Houston Trail Riders for their stop at the Downtown Depot as part of the kickoff to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

More than 150 riders atop horses and wagons pulled into town around 1:30 p.m. to a large crowd that gathered at the Depot awaiting their arrival. As they dismounted their rides, they were greeted by city officials, children and families eager to get a glimpse into a modern day trail ride.

Many of the riders took the opportunity to cook up some barbecue on smokers and let the kids sit atop their horses or explore their wagons.

Tomball Mayor Pro-Tem David Quinn, standing at a podium on the platform of the train depot and filling in for Mayor Gretchen Fagan, who he said was out of town, read a proclamation that deemed Feb. 22, 2011 as “Sam Houston Trail Riders Day.”

Pictured, the Sam Houston Trail Ride makes its way into the Tomball Depot Feb. 22.

Photo by Brian Walzel

Following his presentation, Trail Boss David Supak spoke and recognized the ride’s directors and contributors. Each year, the Sam Houston Trail Ride donates scholarships to Texas high school students who are involved in the annual ride and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

This year’s scholarship recipients were Montgomery High School senior Austin Imhoff, Cy-Woods senior Colby Supak and North Zulch senior Tyler Helton. Each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Sam Houston Trail Ride.

Following the ceremony, which also featured dancing by the Tomball Promenaders, the Trail Riders mounted up again to make their way down Main Street and on to Spring Creek Park where they stayed over night.

Their final stop, along with all 12 other trail rides, was at Sam Houston Race Park just prior to the riders’ caravan in the Rodeo Parade, held Feb. 26.

The Sam Houston Trail Ride is the second oldest among the rides. It was established in 1955. The first Rodeo Trail Ride was held in 1952 when four men rode from Brenham to Houston.

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