Posted on Feb 1, 2022 in
FEATURES
Saturday, February 19th
Richmond’s George Ranch Historical Park
The 3rd Annual George Ranch Rodeo will commemorate Black History Month in 2022 by highlighting the legacy of Black cowboys in Fort Bend County. The Fort Bend History Association and the Rodeo committee invite the community to join them at the George Ranch Historical Park, Saturday, February 19th for the festivities! The day will highlight the rich history of Fort Bend County’s diversity by honoring and celebrating two special families and their contributions to the George Ranch: the Buster Jackson family and the Robert and Catherine Jackson family.
George Ranch Rodeo committee members Patti Parish-Kaminski, Susan Vanderford, Rodeo Chair Debra Greenwood-Sharp, Paula Boyd, Lauren Soliz, Sarah DeArmond, Constance Bowie, Cee Cee Parker and Fort Bend History Association Executive Director Claire Rogers.
Buster Jackson worked alongside the George Family and was the first Black man in Brazoria County to obtain a trail riders permit. He also received honors from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Rodeo is proud to recognize him and his family members who carry on the tradition of community leadership.
Robert and Catherine Jackson organized the first Black rodeo in 1953 and founded the McBeth Riding and Charity Club in 1960. The McBeth Riding Club joined the Southwestern Trail Riders Association as Wagon Number 1, under the leadership of Fred Gray. The McBeth Riding and Charity Club has received many accolades and honors as the first African American Trail Riding organization, including Number One Overall Wagon at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1983 and Best Show Wagon at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade in 1989.
Today, Ramone Jackson continues the family’s sixty-eight years of Black cowboy heritage with his work as a rodeo stock contractor, Double R.R.J. Rodeo Enterprises, and in hosting rodeos at the family ranch.
Debra Greenwood-Sharp, a member of the Fort Bend History Association’s Board of Trustees, is delighted to see the ranching and rodeo accomplishments of these families showcased for the community. “I’m grateful – and so thankful! – for the opportunity to share and raise awareness of the legacy of the many Black cowboys who trailblazed through history here at the George Ranch and elsewhere in Fort Bend County,” Greenwood-Sharp said. “Our committee has worked tirelessly for months to ensure a fun-filled, exciting time here at the Ranch. You won’t want to miss it!”
Barrel racing.
The Rodeo will feature special guest appearances by Genet Chenier, DJ R.E.M, Southern Konnection Dance Group, Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Buffalo Soldiers and the All Glory Honor Guard. Rodeo events include bull-riding, ladies’ barrel racing, steer-wrestling, tie-down calf-roping, ladies’ steer undecorating and team roping. Children’s rodeo events include mutton-busting, barrel racing, breakaway and tie-down. The activities’ area opens at 4 pm with the grand entry at 6:30 pm and Rodeo beginning at 7 pm.
Mutton-busting.
Pre-sale tickets are currently available online. General Rodeo tickets include admission to the Arena only; advantage seats include admission to the Arena and Historical Park. Pre-sale general admission cost is $5 for children ages four through 12 and $15 for adults. Advantage seats, which include admission to the Historical Park, are $12 for children ages four through 12 and $30 for adults. At-the-gate general admission tickets are $10 for children ages four through 12 and $20 for adults. At-the-gate advantage seats, which include admission to the Historical Park, are $17 for children ages four through 12 and $35 for adults. For more information, visit https://www.georgeranch.org/rodeo/ or call 281-343-0218.
To Sign Up for a Rodeo Event:
Lil Roper.
Photo by Andrew Wolf.
The stock contractor is R.R.J. Rodeo Enterprises. Entry is via text only starting February 14th from 6-10 pm. Text 281-217-3951 to enter. Up-to-date negative Coggins are required; please bring an extra copy to the event. Major events are $65 with $3,100 added money. Mutton-busting is $30; junior/pee-wee events are $30.
Event Sponsors:
HEB • Tax Tech, Inc. • C&M Favre Foundation • Citi • Kay Danziger • Mesirow Financial • Patton Insurance and Financial Services • Rice Financial Products Company • Friendswood Development Co. • CenterPoint Energy • Smith, Murdaugh, Little & Bonham, L.L.P. • Adrienne Barker • Tim and Patti Kaminski • Law Office of Brian Knipling • NewFirst Bank • Cee Cee and David Parker • Boyd’s Ministries • Commissioner Vincent Morales • Sins Forgiven Christian Center • Earnest and Debra Greenwood-Sharp.
Committee Members:
Co-Chairs: Debra Greenwood-Sharp and Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage.
Jan Billups-Meitzen, Constance Bowie, Sierra Bowie, Paula Boyd, Mary Miller, Lauren Soliz, Patti Parish-Kaminski, Brenda Patton and Cee Cee Parker.
George Ranch Rodeo leadership Co-Chair Commissioner Grady Prestage and Chair Debra Greenwood-Sharp.
General Information:
The George Ranch Historical Park is located at 10215 FM 762 in Richmond. General admission for the Historical Park is $15 for adults ages 13+, $12 for seniors ages 65+ and $10 for children ages 4 to 12. Children three and under are free. Operating hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.georgeranch.org or call 281-343-0218.
About The Historical Park:
The George Ranch Historical Park is a living history museum that showcases Texas history from the 1830s through the 1930s. The Park is anchored by home sites from four generations: 1830s Jones Stock Farm, 1860s Ryon Prairie Home, 1890s Davis Victorian Mansion and 1930s George Ranch House and Cattle Complex. A visit to the Park includes historic home tours, living history demonstrations, hands-on activities, cattle working and dipping vat demonstrations and more! Guests should allow three to four hours to tour the Park and should dress for the weather.
The George Ranch Historical Park is a living history partnership between the Fort Bend History Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and The George Foundation, a Texas Charitable Trust.
