Whether you’re new to Cowtown or have lived here since birth, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will stimulate all your senses and is money well-spent.The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, celebrating its 111th year, is family-orientated, which makes it a great place for kids and adults to have fun. It also was the first livestock show to feature sheep, llamas and cattle raised, groomed and shown by junior leagues and children who live in the area. This year, more than 24,000 livestock are competing at the show.

Plenty to do at the rodeo

The grounds feature exhibits such as the Planet Agriculture Exhibit that demonstrates agriculture’s daily involvement in our lives, a live milking parlor where anyone can witness where milk comes from, a daily carnival, a Future Farmers of America children’s barnyard, a petting zoo, shopping that features everything from tractors to custom boots and jewelry and the evening rodeo.

During a typical rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls compete in various activities for a cash prize. The rodeo, hosted in the Will Rogers Coliseum, features a live band and boasts 30 performances this January. There are several key events to a rodeo.

Calf Scramble

In the calf scramble, children compete to catch one of 12 calves. This always proves to entertain the audience, as it is unusual to watch children chasing stubborn calves. The winning members are presented with a certificate that is put toward the purchase of a calf.

Cow Cutting

Cow cutting, featured in every rodeo performance, consists of a team of two separating a calf from the rest of the herd and using horses to prevent it from going back to the other cattle. The horse and rider have two and a half minutes to do this. The rider is judged by the horses’ athleticism and ability to challenge the calf.

Steer Wrestling

In the event steer wrestling, also known as bulldogging, a steer is released from a chute, and the cowboy abroad the horse chases it, quickly jumps off his horse and wrestles the steer to the ground by its horns in a matter of seconds. The fastest cowboy to do this wins.

Calf Roping

Calf roping features a horse-mounted cowboy and a calf. The calf is released from a chute and the cowboy is timed as he attempts to throw the rope around the calf’s neck, flip over the 200-300 pound calf and as the horse pulls the rope taut, the cowboy ties three of the calf’s feet together. The calf must stay tied for six seconds before the official time is taken.

Barrel Racing

Barrel racing is traditionally a women’s riding event. It’s won by the cowgirl who makes the tightest turns around a cloverleaf pattern in the shortest amount of time. Points are deducted for knocking over the barrels.

Bull Riding

Bull riding is one of the most anticipated events, featuring cowboys who attempt to stay aboard the animals for eight seconds. The cowboys fasten one hand with a braided rope to the animal. If the rider falls off or touches the animal with his free hand before the eight seconds, no points are allotted.