If you love Texas, then cowboy culture is probably never far out of your mind or possibly your view. So it would probably not surprise you to know that the world’s first rodeo happened in the West Texas town of Pecos, just a few hours East of El Paso on Interstate 20.
This groundbreaking event is significant because it marked the transition of rodeo from informal competitions and entertainment among cowboys to a structured sport with rules and organized competitions. By holding what is recognized as the first competitive rodeo, Pecos set the stage for the development of professional rodeo as a sport that celebrates skills related to cattle ranching and horseback riding. These early competitions featured events that are still part of rodeos today, such as bronc riding, steer roping, and bull riding, emphasizing the skills and bravery of the participants. The success of this first rodeo in Pecos led to the spread of rodeo across the United States and eventually worldwide.
According to Texas Highways, it’s hard to overstate how passionate Pecos locals are about their rodeo. “It’s like walking into a Baptist church and everybody wants to talk to you about Jesus,” said one local who knows the area well. Attend their annual West of the Pecos Rodeo at the Buck Jackson Area, and you’re apt to spot the locals taking it in, some sporting shirts the read “This ain’t our first rodeo.”
Sounds like my kind of place.
