2014 TETRA in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Parade

By Barbara McKnight

On January 18 five riders represented TETRA in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Parade. Most of us came into the parking area at La Grave Field near the Stockyards historical area the evening before and camped in a grassy field to avoid the inevitable traffic of Saturday morning. Louise Burney had organized the group and she and Richard, Debby Alley, Glenna Bell Orman and I rounded out the group. The weather was stunningly beautiful that day despite the preceding cold week.

For such a huge event the organization was surprisingly smooth.    Almost two hundred units were involved with hundreds of horses, wagons, and riders, but the marshals kept groups gathered, and moved them efficiently into parade formation. The parade started at eleven o’clock and, without hurrying or prolonged waiting, each unit moved into the parade route south along Main Street toward the court house to the convention center and back to the starting place. As our group entered the parade, the first entries were returning from the nearly 3 mile route and we enjoyed seeing the variety of animals and conveyances which were ahead of us.

For those who are interested in considering the event next year, the overnight facility is convenient and easy to find, participants are orderly and businesslike in their demeanor, and the spectacular horses and riders are worth the trip. Having a large group from Texas Equestrian Trail Riders would be good for the organization and the social aspect is fun too!