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John B. Coleman Library Ask A Librarian

History of the Prairie View Trail Riders: What is a Trail Ride?

This guide is an Introduction to the PV Trail Riders collection and upcoming Oral History project series being produced at Prairie View A&M University's SCAD department.

Introduction of the Texas Trail Ride

Texans invented the trail ride as a rite of self-renewal, a massive ceremonial trot along vaguely ancestral paths in memory of cowboys, pioneers, and the good old days when there was really someplace to go on a horse (Chadwick 1985). Most trail rides are in February, during the Houston rodeo season. For these highly publicized events, Texans by the thousands take off from their jobs, put on authentic Western or pioneer costumes, and ride together for days or weeks from the country to the city. Along the highways and into the suburbs they carry flags and club banners, parading through town after town, camping in fields and parks, celebrating all the way.

Preparing for the Ride

The members prepare to hit the trail for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Trail Ride where they will travel from Hempstead to Houston in wagons and on horseback to attend the Kickoff Parade.

The Wagon Inspection event gives a general overview of the week’s daily plans and gives members an understanding of proper safety measures to use throughout the week’s activities. The Prairie View Trail Riders Association (PVTRA) Trail Boss Myrtis Dightman, Jr. present awards to members after wagon inspections. PVTRA will hit the trails heading to Memorial Park in Houston, making stops each day along the way. On their stop in Prairie View, the group will parade the university campus and host their annual Chili Cook-off on the campgrounds located behind Panther Stadium at noon.

Role of the Trail Boss

The Trail Boss is the manager of the entourage and its activities, and has the ultimate responsibility for:

  • The safety of not only the riders, animals and equipment on the ride, but also of the public who watch and visit.
  • Organization of the structure of the trail ride group, with its officers and members.
  • Coordination of the route, including permission to use roads and rest stops, and securing permits and police assistance in each jurisdiction passed.
  • Teams of scouts on the ride maintain traffic control and serve as flagmen on horseback. The team of scouts meets with the Trail Boss each night to go over the next day’s route.

Images

Resource: 

Prairie View A&M University. (1982). Pantherland 1982. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/yearbooks/20

John B. Coleman Library
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 519, MS 1040, Prairie View, Texas 77446
Physical Address: L.W. Minor St. / University Drive, Prairie View, Texas 77446
Reference: (936) 261-1535, Circulation: (936) 261-1542
Email: askalibrarian@pvamu.edu

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