Dallas and Fort Worth may be only about 30 miles apart, but they are light years away in terms of atmosphere. I have lived in Dallas for over 30 years and have never seen a businessman in a suit and cowboy hat. Ever. (Except on TV) In Ft Worth, on the other hand, cowboy hats on the street are a pretty normal sight….even with chaps and spurs.

Fort Worth was nicknamed “Cow Town” when cowboys herding cattle from South Texas to the Chisholm Trail would stop here for provisions.

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (technically, the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show – but no one actually calls it that) is the oldest running event of its kind. For 23 days in January-February about 900,000 people descend on “Cow Town” to participate/watch rodeo events, hear live music, shop the acres of western vendors, play carnival games, ride midway rides, and of course watch/compete in livestock competitions.

For the first time that we can remember, the Stock Show wasn’t plagued by “Stock Show Weather” (historically, the wettest, coldest weather of the year) and we took a chance.

So glad that we did.

Enjoy a few images.

Jamie grew up with horses in his front yard.

I learned to ride on Honey, the old horse in the field down the street from our house. My friends and I would lure her to the fence with a carrot or apple and climb onto her bare back. I never used a saddle ’till I was in my late teens and that took some getting used to. The only way to get off of Honey was to simply fall off.

This is Ben. Isn’t he just beautiful? After watching him win a blue and 2 red ribbons, I decided that he needed some love. (I have to touch everything….it’s a disorder)

I wanted to bring him home, but was quickly reminded just how much it costs to own a horse……

Maybe in another life,

Until then, I’ll just have to enjoy horses every year at the Stock Show.