Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Tickets

Grand Entry - The Grand Entry is the very first thing that happens every night. Show officials along with sponsors, volunteers and special guest ride by horseback, hay wagons, buggies and fire trucks throughout the stadium. 

National Anthem - The “Star Spangled Banner” is performed, while the audience sings along. At the end of the National Anthem fireworks sound signaling the beginning. 

Tie-Down Roping - Tie down roping involves a cowboy, his horse and a calf. The calf gets a head start then the cowboy chases him via horseback. Once the cowboy lassos the calf he dismounts his horse, lifts the calf up, lays it on his side and ropes three of its legs. 

Bareback Riding - The cowboy has one hand in the air and the other holding on the leather hand-hold tie placed around the horse behind its front legs. Once the two are out of the chute, the cowboy should spur in rhythm with the horses bucking.

Team Roping - Team roping consist of two cowboys, two horses and a steer. The first roper is known as a header he is responsible for roping the head of the steer. The heeler is to rope the steer’s hind legs. The steer gets a head start, then the header must rope the steer either around its horns, one horn and heard or around the neck, the heeler then ropes the two hind legs and they are done. 

Saddle Bronc Riding - In saddle bronc riding the cowboy must consistently spur from shoulder to saddle with the horse in bucking motion. The cowboy should have one hand in the air and the other tightly around the rein. 

Steer Wrestling - Steer wrestling is also known as “bulldogging”. Steer wrestling starts when a steer is let out of a chute the steer wrestler and another cowboy known as a hazer take off following him. The steer wrestler slides off his horse and brings the animal down to the dirt on his side by wrapping his arms around the steer’s horns. 

Barrel Racing - Three barrels are placed in a triangle formation in the arena, the barrel racer and her horse enter at full speed and complete a cloverleaf pattern around the barrels. The rider tries to stay as close the barrels as possible without knocking them over. In this event, every second counts. 

Bull Riding - A flat braided rope is around the bull’s chest and held onto by one hand of the bull rider. A weighted bell is attached in the middle of the rope and hangs underneath the bull, when the rider lets go it falls. The objective is to stay on the bull for eight seconds while the bull is bucking, spinning, jerking from side to side and even kicking. 

Chuck Wagon Races - Chuck wagon races are a favorite among the crowd. With the wagons carrying only a driver, a team of four horses pull the wagon at fast speeds around the arena.  Three teams compete at a time. 

Calf Scramble - The calf scramble involves 30 4-H and FFA members and 15 calves. The members attempt to halter a calf by chasing them around the arena. Once they have successfully caught a calf they bring it back to the center of the arena. 

Mutton Bustin' - The youngest contestants are around the ages of 5 and 6. They cling onto a sheep or mutton as they ride out into the arena, cheered on by the audience.