If the Brahman bull looks like it was put together from the parts of several different animals, that is because it was, in a way. The ancestors of Brahman cattle were several different types of hump-backed cattle from India. Cattle breeders in the southern United States developed Brahman cattle between 1854 and 1926. The Brahman has a humped back, long, drooping ears and loose skin. Like the camel, the Brahman stores food and water in the odd-looking hump on its back. The hump is a deposit of fat. Farmers and ranchers in the southeastern US and the Gulf States like to raise Brahman cattle because they can stand the heat, and insects do not bother them much.

"Wild and Free'

Bronze Casting Exhibit on the Reliant Park Grounds
The Reliant Park contains Reliant Stadium (for Football - the Houston Texans - and the Houston Rodeo),
Reliant Center, Reliant Astrodome
and Reliant Arena (a huge exhibit area, the site of the annual Live Stock Show)

South East VIP Entrance to Reliant Stadium

Openning Ceremony of the Rodeo
The Houston Rodeo and Live Stock Show ran from March 2 to 21, 2004.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world, the largest livestock show in the world, and the second largest fair or festival in North America (only the State Fair of Texas in Dallas is larger). Started as the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exhibition, the event has grown into a three week spectacular with premier concert entertainment, top-ranked rodeo competition, and over 34,000 livestock entries. The Houston Livestock Show annually awards nearly $5 million dollars in scholarships to Texas youth.

Seated in the Box of one of my favorite patients
Top Row: Bob, Mary and Kirk Stuart.
Middle Row: Katherine Noble, Kathryn Stuart and Kathleen Noble.
Bottom Row: Jennifer Stuart and friend...Johnathan, David Noble and Matthew Stuart.

Bull Riding...Photo by daughter Mary Stuart.
We'll start with the last first. Bull riding is usually the last event at Texas rodeos. It is the grand finale and is always highly anticipated. The objective is fairly straightforward. Stay on the bull for eight seconds to earn a score. Points are awarded for style. Using spurs is not required but it will earn more points. The rider holds on to a rope (hopefully firmly tied around the bull) with one hand and uses the free hand for balance. The rider is never allowed to touch any part of his body, or the bull with the free hand. Half of the points earned are awarded not to the bull rider, but to the bull. The tougher the bull, the higher the reward for riding him.

Barrel Racing....Photo by daughter Mary Stuart
A traditionally female event which is becoming increasingly coed. This is a timed event in which the rider must maneuver the horse through a 'cloverleaf' pattern of three (sometimes four) barrels. There is a five second penalty for knocking down a barrel and a rider is disqualified for breaking pattern. Speed, agility, and riding ability are tested in this increasingly popular event.

Calf Scramble
Armed with rope halters and determination, a group of 4-H and FFA members lines up across one end of the arena. With the drop of a hat, 14 calves race into the arena and 28 youth leave the starting line in pursuit of a goal, a dream and success.
With youngsters and calves scattered about and darting in every direction across the Reliant Stadium floor, the calf scramble becomes one of the most chaotic, and one of the most heartwarming, events of the Show.
To achieve success, a scrambler must catch and halter a calf. After the calf has been properly haltered, it is often tugged, pulled, pushed or coaxed into the winners' square.

Buck Wagon Race

Houston Rodeo Concert...Photo by daughter Mary Stuart
Country music legend Randy Travis entertained enthusiastic RODEO-HOUSTON fans Saturday evening for a paid crowd of 55,074.

Carnival Area after dark
Carnival fun captivates people of all ages, and has something for everyone - roller coasters, games, prizes, funhouses, carousel rides, bumper cars and exciting thrill rides. "Kidland," for the smaller carnival-goers, features rides for younger children and special games where kids always win!
More than 60 rides are featured including La Grande Wheel, the world's largest transportable wheel; the Extreme Zone, with the Booster, the Sling Show and the Adrenaline Drop.

The Stars and Stripes
On our way to the parking lot.

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