Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show

The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, known commonly as the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is the oldest continual running livestock show and rodeo. It has been held annually in Fort Worth, Texas since 1896. In 1918, the Stock Show held the world's first indoor rodeo, and in subsequent years has been responsible for several milestones in the sport of rodeo. A non-profit organization, the Stock Show provided over $1.6 million in grants and scholarships from 2000 to 2006.

Origins

The city of Fort Worth was nicknamed "Cowtown" shortly after the Civil War, as cowboys stopped for supplies in the town while herding their cattle from South Texas to the Chisholm Trail. After the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1876, various businesspeople in the town began erecting stock yards in an effort to become a greater part of the cattle industry. In 1883, the Fort Worth Stockyards were official incorporated.cite web|last=Pate|first=J'Nell L.|title=Fort Worth Stockyards|publisher=Handbook of Texas Online|url=http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/FF/dif4.html|accessdate=2007-08-08]

Local ranchers wished to facilitate interest in their cattle. A conversation between rancher Charles McFarland and Charles French, marketing manager for the Fort Worth Stock Yards, resulted in the first area stock show in 1896.citation|title=Stock Show galloping ahead into its second big century|newspaper=Fort Worth Business Press|url=http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=4315|date=January 9, 2006|accessdate=2007-08-08] This event was the first of what would eventually become known as the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. The stock show was held along Marine Creek, in a location with no buildings or enclosures, and only a few trees to provide shade for the animals and patrons. Early–day cattle exhibitors and organizers were all Texans: Capt. William S. Ikard of Henrietta, a breeder of Herefords; I. K. Kimberlin of Sherman; Col. J. W. Burgess of Fort Worth, a Shorthorn breeder, and Col. B. C. Rhome of Denton and Wise Counties. These men were joined enthusiastically by operators of the Fort Worth Stock Yards Company, which was organized in 1893; Armour & Company and Swift & Company, meat packers; and officials of the various railway companies serving Fort Worth.

That first show was such a success that organizers gathered again in the fall of 1896 for a two-day event in October to coincide with the National Livestock Exchange Convention meeting. A parade opened the fall show. Most exhibitors preferred the spring dates, so the Show was established as a March event, to fit in with a series of major livestock shows held around the country, establishing a regular circuit for exhibitor herds.citation|last=Tallant|first=Susan|title=Rodeo ruckus - City provides better beef for annual Stock Show|publisher=the Collegian|url=http://www.tccd.edu/collegian/archive/articles13107/cityprovidesbetterbeef.html|date=January 31, 2007|accessdate=2007-08-08]

The following year, the event was given a name, the Texas Fat Stock Show. Tents were erected for the animals, and visitors were charged a twenty-five cent fee to view the livestock.cite web|title=Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show|publisher=Handbook of Texas Online|url=http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/SS/lls2.html|accessdate=2007-08-07]

Local ranchers promoted the show to northern meat packers in the hopes of improving the local livestock industry. The citizens of Fort Worth raised $50,000 and formed a company in 1904 to oversee the event. Under the group's second president, Samuel Burk Burnett, the annual show was renamed the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. During his term, which lasted from 1908-1922, the event dramatically expanded. The North Side Coliseum (now called Cowtown Coliseum) was built in 1908 to house the event. The new indoor judging arena created expanded interest in the Stock Show, and a carnival and midway were soon added. Commercial exhibit displays also increased in number, and exhibitors travelled from several surrounding states to participate.

Rodeo

A local newspaper editor, Ray McKinley, suggested in 1917 that the event incorporate a competition among cowboys and cowgirls. Stock Show president Marion Sansom appointed a committee of men who were involved with the cattle and horse industry to define the new event. A member of the commission suggested using the Spanish name for these types of competitions, rodeo. Although the proposer used the Spanish pronunciation of "roh-day-oh", after seeing the word written the committee chose to use a different pronunciation, "roh-dee-oh", to refer to the new competition.

The contest was approved and was added to the Stock Show calendar of events primarily because North Side Coliseum was the only arena with a capacity to accommodate the production and crowds expected. The 1918 Fort Worth Rodeo is considered the world's first indoor rodeo. It consisted of a total of twelve performances, two per day for six days. Contests included ladies bronc riding, junior steer riding, men’s steer riding, men’s bucking bronco, and a wild horse race—catch-as-catch-can with no saddle or bridle. The contestants were primarily Wild West Show performers, both male and female, who vied for a $3,000 prize. An estimated 23,000 people attended these first indoor rodeo events.

In 1927, the Stock Show introduced the first side release chutes for bucking horses and bulls, a development that is now a standard for the sport. As opposed to the earlier front-gate chutes, the side release allows the animal and rider into the arena when the gate opens. The chute has been termed as the safest method yet devised for protection of both cowboy and animal.

The Fort Worth Stock Show was also the first to feature Brahma bull riding. This contest originated in 1933, and is now one of the five major events in the sport worldwide. Bull riding is considered to be "the most dangerous and surely the most exciting event of rodeos."

In 1932, NBC produced the first live broadcast of a rodeo as local station WBAP broadcast. During World War II, the Fort Worth Stock Show introduced the first "half-time" rodeo performance, as Gene Autry made an appearance. This type of performance is now standard at rodeos across the United States, and many times the degree of success of a rodeo has been determined by audience acceptance of entertainment specials. In 1958, the Fort Worth Stock Show also became the first to have live television coverage of a complete rodeo performance, as 8 million viewers tuned in to ABC to see guest stars including Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

Further expansion

The event took a hiatus in 1943, when all available facilities in Fort Worth, as well as transportation modes, were dedicated to the World War II effort. The following year, the exposition moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Center on the west side of the city. Four years later the event was moved to January and February, and it drew 250,000 people.

Since moving to the Will Rogers Memorial Center, the Stock Show has taken the lead in improving the facility. The Stock Show governing committee has made it a policy to deed all improvements to the city of Fort Worth. Among the improvements are the construction of ten all-weather livestock barns, three multipurpose commercial exhibits buildings, heating and air conditioning in the coliseum, auditorium and exhibits areas, and paved and lighted parking facilities.

Modern event

The name was changed again in 1978, to the current Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. It is now held every year at the end of January and the beginning of February. The rodeo is the longest-running in the United States, displaying twenty-eight performances in seventeen days. In addition, the exposition offers a carnival, a petting zoo, and commercial exhibits from across the country.

In 2007, the event, which lasts three weeks, drew over 22,000 animals from more than 40 states and several foreign countries. Over 900,000 people attended, representing more than 80 foreign countries as well as most U.S. states. Eighty-five percent of the show's events take place in the climate-controlled coliseum, helping to reduce the effect of the weather on attendance. On average, the modern Stock Show has an economic impact of over $100 million for the Fort Worth area.citation|last=Tallant|first=Susan|title=Rodeo ruckus - City provides better beef for annual Stock Show|publisher=the Collegian|url=http://www.tccd.edu/collegian/archive/articles13107/cityprovidesbetterbeef.html|date=January 31, 2007|accessdate=2007-08-08]

Initial Stock Show prizes consisted of gifts donated by Fort Worth area merchants. While this practice continues to some extent, the Show’s annual profits, plus tremendous support from numerous breed associations, provide cash for premiums in the various departments. In recent years, over three-quarters of a million dollars has been paid out to prize winners in the livestock show and rodeo events.

Charitable works

The Stock Show is incorporated as a non-profit organization, with the goal of creating “an educational showcase for the great livestock industry." Between 2000 and 2006, the Stock Show provided over $1.6 million in educational grants. Apart from grants to Texas 4-H Club and FFA Chapter members, the Stock Show has also established endowed scholarships at Texas Christian University and Texas Tech University. The scholarships at TCU benefit students in the Ranch Management Program, while those at Texas Tech benefit students in the school's animal science or agricultural economics programs. An additional $4,000 grant is given annually to a student in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce a few years ago honored the Show with its “Spirit of Enterprise Award.” The Stock Show received praise for “helping to build a modern Fort Worth, boosting agribusiness education with grants and scholarships, and demonstrating a strong spirit of enterprise.” Based on a recent survey, the Stock Show generates an economic impact in excess of $100 million for the Fort Worth area.

References

External links

* [http://www.fwssr.com Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo]
* [http://www.fortworthgov.org/publicevents/wrmc/index.asp Will Rogers Memorial Center]
* [http://www.lonestarthrills.com/texas_gallery/v/Fort-Worth-Rodeo/2003/ Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Photo Gallery]