Posts Tagged ‘Star’

Showcasing Austin’s proud tradition of rodeo, the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo has been in existence since 1938. Originally known as the Travis County Baby Beef Show and held just opposite the Texas state capital building, the rodeo has grown from these humble beginnings to encompass nearly a month’s worth of events every year. The Travis County Expo Center was originally built in 1983 specifically to house the Star of Texas Rodeo and provides a perfect venue for the event’s array of rodeo-themed events and exhibits.

No one is certain just how rodeo originated, but the skills displayed in rodeo contests were part of daily life for cowboys in Texas since the 1700s. Roping, riding, and breaking horses were all part of the job, and it is thought that at the end of long cattle drives, cowboys from different ranches would hold informal competitions in these skills to earn pride of place for their home ranch. The tradition of formal rodeo contests in Texas dates back at least to 1883, though it is thought records of some earlier contests may have been lost over time.

Events associated with the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo include a black-tie gala event and a carnival with rides, games and funnel cakes. But the real attraction is, of course, the rodeo. While children are invited to participate in activities like Mutton Bustin’ and the Calf Scramble, the focus is on serious rodeo events. Competitions in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and saddle bronc riding demonstrate the skills used by the original cowboys in the Austin region.

Bareback riding

The bareback riding competition tests the cowboy’s endurance and agility. Grasping a leather and rawhide rigging with one hand, the cowboy’s other hand is not allowed to touch anything but air while he spurs the horse into action and then struggles to remain mounted. The final score is assessed not only on duration and style, but also on the horse’s performance, making this a team effort for cowboy and horse. The techniques used in this competition are similar to those used by the earliest cowboys while breaking horses to ride in early Austin.

Steer wrestling

Deceptively simple in its description, steer wrestling is one of the most difficult events, requiring lightning fast reflexes and tremendous physical strength. A mounted cowboy must overtake a running steer and, from horseback, grasp its horns and muscle it to the ground, ensuring that all four legs are thrown in the same direction opposite the cowboy.

Team roping and tie-down roping

Lasso work is an integral part of a cowboy’s job, and these competitions demonstrate it at its highest level. Team roping includes, as its name suggests, a two-man team of one header and one heeler. First, the header ropes the steer’s horns, head, or neck; then, once the steer is under control, the heeler ropes both hind legs, securing the steer between the two cowboys. Tie-down roping was used on Texas ranches to isolate and treat sick calves; the rodeo version is similar, pitting a cowboy and his horse against a quick-moving calf. The cowboy must rope the calf and then tie three of its legs together, rendering it helpless for at least six seconds.

Saddle bronc busting

This event derives from the earliest days of rodeo in Austin and is perhaps the “classic” rodeo event. The cowboy must remain atop a bucking bronc for eight seconds; scoring is based on the style and finesse displayed during the ride.

The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo also offers bull riding events, country music performances, and a variety of other activities for the whole family. Every spring, the rodeo provides exciting events and a look back at Austin’s cowboy past, combining entertainment with education. The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo truly has something for everyone to enjoy.

Buying a poster of a professional rodeo star should not be very difficult as there are a number of places that sell exciting such items. There are many cowboy posters as well as bronco riding posters as well as bull riding ones to choose from. If you are looking for some very good professional rodeo star posters then you should check out the works of Jack Sorenson who is a renowned Western artist and who also owns Leanin’ Tree, which is the largest of America’s greeting card companies with a Western theme.

Check Out The Works Of Jack Sorenson

A look at the wonderful professional rodeo star posters made by Jack Sorenson will reveal an exciting collection of everything related to the Wild West that do not cost much, but say a whole lot. Each of his professional rodeo star posters is unique and evocative of the wonderful days gone by as well as of the current scene as far as present day rodeos is concerned.

No collection of professional rodeo star poster would be complete without having Trigroy’s poster. Trigroy is descended from the Roy Rogers horses on which Buss Carson performed trick riding in the 1960s at many a rodeo show. This is a horse that has regaled many spectators with his rearing as well as dancing tricks and a poster of him would be a welcome addition to any rodeo fan’s collection.

Another professional rodeo star poster worth owning would be that of Ty Murray who was an inductee of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2000 and who took retirement at the age of thirty-two. A poster of this maestro would be most appealing as he is a professional rodeo star who dominated the sport and had nine Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world championships to his credit.

A good place to source the professional rodeo star posters would be EBay. Posters professional rodeo star pertaining to Tucson’s rodeo and parade would also make wonderful additions where there will sure to be many memorable moments, broncos as well as riders captured on film and whose story can be displayed for posterity. Make sure that you capture the bareback riders, steer wrestlers as well as saddle bronco riders and more.

It is all about celebrating the cowboys and a way of capturing the essence of the real Western heritage. Events like the Tucson Rodeo and Parade offer many opportunities to treasure the tradition of rodeo.