HOUSTON – Ninety years is a long time and through the long, storied history of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, there have been many grand and amazing moments and stories.
While relatively rare, the sad, scary, and even strange things that have happened since the event’s inception in 1932 also stand out.
Here are some of those examples:
Steer goes stiff during wrestling event in 2019
A steer being used for the steer wrestling event appeared to go stiff and then had to be taken off the dirt floor in a pickup truck. Rodeo authorities assured viewers that the animal had a pinched nerve and was going to be OK.
Rodeo protester goes viral on Facebook in 2018
A rodeo protester dressed to look like wounded animals went viral on Facebook, claiming that animals are harmed during the rodeo. Rodeo officials refuted those claims.
Single gunshot causes panic at Houston Rodeo carnival in 2017
Police said they believe a single shot was fired on the carnival grounds at the Houston Rodeo, but they didn’t find a witness to the shooting or find a firearm on the rodeo grounds. A spent shell 9 mm casing was found in the northwest part of the carnival grounds, near Kirby and Westridge, which led them to believe a shot was fired. Video from witnesses to the panic showed people running out of the carnival. Some people claimed to have heard several gunshots, while others said they were just alarmed by the frantic crowd.
Chuckwagon driver hurt in 2016
A chuckwagon driver was injured in over-the-top fashion during the Houston Rodeo in 2016. He fell off his wagon during a turn. The Houston Rodeo reported the driver hurt his shoulder during the accident but was expected to be fine.
Trail ride wagon collides with police car in Bellaire in 2016
A team of horses on the Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride got spooked and a runaway trail ride wagon collided with another wagon on S. Rice near Linden. The wagon that was hit crashed into a police car, heavily damaging the official vehicle.
A female trail rider was seriously hurt when the runaway wagon hit her horse and knocked her down.
Child breaks his leg on rodeo carnival attraction in 2014
On the Survival Island attraction, a children’s area funhouse that includes a bounce house, a climbing net and a slide, a 4-year-old boy broke his leg last year.
Girl cut on her head during carnival ride in 2013
In 2013, a 17-year-old girl was reported to have a laceration on her head after riding the Alien Abduction ride.
Woman says she was raped during trail riders event in 2012
Brie Ana Williams sued the rodeo after she was raped in 2012 during a Dayton event associated with the Los Vaqueros Trail Riders. She eventually settled with the Los Vaqueros Trail Ride in a settlement of $575,000. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which was also included in the lawsuit, was dismissed.
Girl thrown from Techno jump ride in 2012
In 2012, a 3-year-old girl was thrown from the Techno jump ride while riding with her brother. Although the toddler met the height requirements for the ride, the girl might have been better off riding with an adult.
Man dies after falling from roller coaster in 2011
In 2011, a man fell from the seat of a car on the Hi-Miler roller coaster and plunged to his death. The family of that man later sued and received a reported $2.7 million settlement from the rodeo and RCS Inc.
Attorneys for the family said the rodeo had been warned for two years leading up to the accident that there was a problem with the ride.
The Hi-Miler coaster is no longer part of the rodeo carnival.
Bull gets loose in 2010
Two people were hurt and were transported to the hospital after a bull named “Hardball” got loose on the Houston Rodeo grounds around 5 p.m. You can watch video of the scene captured by a rodeo attendee in the KPRC 2 clip in the YouTube video below. You can also catch “Houston Life” host Courtney Zavala wearing her news anchor hat introducing the report.
Selena Quintanilla’s final performance in 1995
Selena Quintanilla graced the Houston Rodeo stage for the last time, just weeks before her death on March 31, 1995.
On Go Tejano Day, Quintanilla performed inside Houston’s iconic Astrodome on Feb. 26, 1995. On that night, the Tejano music star arrived in a white carriage, wearing one of her most memorable outfits to this day: her iconic purple, sparkling jumpsuit, which was replicated in the movie “Selena,” personified by Jennifer Lopez. The outfit has also been worn for Halloween by celebrities such as Demi Lovato and Kim Kardashian.
Quintanilla began her Astrodome performance with “I Will Survive,” followed by a mix of popular disco songs. She also sang her own hits, including “Amor Prohibido” and “Baila.” She closed out the night with “Como La Flor.”
Quintanilla performed at RodeoHouston on three occasions, in 1993, 1994 and 1995, all under the Astrodome roof.
She would have turned 24 years old, just two weeks before her death.
Yolanda Saldivar, Selena’s fan club president, shot the star to death in Corpus Christi. Saldivar remains behind bars serving a life sentence in a prison in Gatesville, Texas. She will be available for parole on March 30, 2025.
Conjoined twins on display in 1972
In the rodeo’s 40th year, Ronnie and Donnie Galyon, Siamese twins, were put on display. Joined at the waist, the brothers sat in a trailer for viewing with their dogs, household objects, and photo of them as children.
Carnival and midway eliminated in 1943
Blackout rules across the U.S. during World War II led to rodeo officials canceling the bright-at-night carnival and midway.
No show in 1937 after fire damaged Sam Houston Hall
Fire damaged the Sam Houston Hall following the 1936 show, therefore, there was no show in 1937. Organizers utilized the year off to explore new ideas for the 1938 Show.