“Mutton Bustin'” is one of the most beloved traditions of Houston livestock shows and rodeo, as children lie on their belly on an upset sheep and trying to film an over-shoot over a large arena. Inevitably, the competitors slip off the sheep and put the plants in the dirt, crying, while some crying, while others proudly grinning. Both results will intensify the world's largest livestock exhibition crowd, the world's rodeos.
The Houston Rodeo, which will be held from March 4th to 23rd, exceeds Texas size. Over 2.5 million people participated last year. If you're not from Texas, it's probably hard to imagine: just 6% of attendees last year came from other states.
Nashville resident Nasaisha Cheetham celebrated her 30th birthday with three friends at the rodeo. “I saw it in Tiktok,” she said, “and then I thought, 'Well, let's dress it up.' ”
On their visit, each woman wore a cowboy hat and knee high boots with detailed stitching. Anjelique Hyatt, 30, said that her friend “wanted our Beyoncé moment.” (The pop juggernaut, who grew up in Houston, recently won three Grammy Awards for her “Cowboy Carter” album.)
“We see so many different variations in what it looks like to be a cowboy,” added Cheetham.
Other mega rodeos include Canada's largest Calgary Stampede and Wyoming's Cheyenne Frontier Days, which claims to be the largest outdoor rodeo. But the Houston version is a contemporary country culture Super Bowl event held in the state, a leading producer of beef and beef in the US. Texas sources more than twice the head of a cow compared to other states.
For participants, the annual event is a serious business. As heifers brought from around the world are sold, millions of dollars of dollars change hands, highlighting certain livestock varieties like open beef master shows, drawing audiences and participants alike.
There are also international wine contests, championship contests for barbecues, and state-sized carnivals with roller coasters and ferris wheels. The Guinea Pig Competition offers the award for Best Fur Coats, and in its vast shopping area, everything from handmade leather chairs to turquoise jewelry.
“It's like my own adventure,” said 44-year-old Jessica Garcia and Houston resident Jessica Garcia, giving a thumbs up through her visitor guide while the goat's cowboy boots glowed. She then bought the Texas Praline Caramel Apple.
The evening will be concluded with fireworks, drone shows and concerts at the 72,200-seat stadium. This year's performers include Reba McEntire, Journey and Post Malone.
The cheapest way is to buy a combination ticket to the site, carnival, and livestock show ($21 per adult), but most people want to see the showcase stadium event.
The furious, rodeo rider above the Backing Broncos was able to return home with a life-changing injury that occurred in front of tens of thousands of people. Or they could go home with a life-changing prize (the total wallet for the rodeo this year is $2.5 million).
Rodeo organizers have worked smartly with pressure release valves every night so that the audience can breathe in. Midway through the event, the lights dimmed, and a beautiful white horse ran quietly from the cloud of smoke at one end of the arena, followed by her horse, playing under the spotlight. The moment acted as a Grace Note, brightening up the brutal stake.
Rodeo has a free and unimagining view of meat consumption. When it first began in 1932 it was called the Houston Fat Stock Show. Animal activists regularly protest the event.
Advocates point to the rodeo's ability to help people, especially children, create connections between their food, land, history and culture. The birth center is a big draw and children can see the sow tweak the newborn's first step. You can also watch chick hatching, milk cows, and learn how to plant crops.
Perhaps the most rewarding experience is the opportunity to talk to families who come to the rodeo to show off the rabbits, guinea pigs and calves they have raised all year round. Many suburban families travel to soccer tournaments, but these families travel to livestock shows.
Children who bring the animals are standing to win thousands of dollars. In 2025, the Rodeo will grant scholarships of more than $14 million.
“We allow thousands of volunteers to maximize our charity impact,” said Pat Man Phillips, Rodeo's board chair. It takes over 35,000 volunteers to pull it all apart.
Houston is proud of its food, and while everyone seemed to be working on a big fried turkey leg at the rodeo, the various options are more than that.
Food vendors compete in the Gold Buckle Hoodie Awards Best Dish Contest. This year's winners included “Full-meat baked potatoes” with pork rib garnish from Haron's BBQ and a thick slab of bacon on a stick in a cloud of cotton candy of Ruso's fat bacon.
On a recent Saturday night, people with turkey legs in their hands stood in a mutton bastin tent away from food. The audience stomped the metal grandstand until it sounded like a hurricane, but the kids who signed up to ride the sheep were waiting for a turn.
Siya Iyer, 8, looked worried, wearing a helmet with a face cage. “I'm a little scared,” she said. “I have to hold a very tight grip.”
After sliding off the sheep and planting her face in the dirt, she stood with ice stuffing in the swelling of her neck. The next round of Mutton Bustin' contestants submitted to the pen and through the crowd, Siya offered a small thumb.
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