As a child, Mark Storm says he drew a horse before he ever saw one in the flesh. Today, at the age of 84, he’s still drawing cowboys and horses. When time permits, he also continues to saddle up his favorite mount, Andy, and go for a ride.
Ever since its inception as the Houston Fat Stock Show in 1932, this organization has issued badges to the men and women who have participated as volunteers in this annual event. However, the nature and function of those badges and the people receiving them have changed dramatically over the years.
For more than a quarter century, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has invested in the future, not only for the rancher with thousands of head of cattle or farmers with acre upon acre cultivated for harvest, but with the end consumer in mind.
The “Houston Fat Stock Show,” which began in 1932 and drew a mere 2,000 spectators, has blossomed into one of the most popular events in the Southwestern region of the United States—the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. More than 1.8 million people enter the gates of the Show each year. However, during the 1995 season, 7,000 households in North America also opened their homes to the Show through cable and satellite television delivery.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo gold badge is the modernday equivalent of a white hat — it signifies that the individual wearing it is a genuine good person. The gold badge says that the wearer gives something to the youth of Texas that money can’t buy — tons of time and a heartfelt dedication.
Exotic-leather boots, shrimp and crab cocktails, gourmet Italian food, hand-painted tuxedo shirts, traditional Texas barbecue, designer ice cream and custommade silver and gold jewelry—it’s all right in the middle of the world’s biggest and best livestock exposition, richest regular-season rodeo and prestigious horse show.
Exotic-leather boots, shrimp and crab cocktails, gourmet Italian food, hand-painted tuxedo shirts, traditional Texas barbecue, designer ice cream and custommade silver and gold jewelry—it’s all right in the middle of the world’s biggest and best livestock exposition, richest regular-season rodeo and prestigious horse show.
Letters and comments should be sent to:
Marketing and Public Relations Division,
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™
P.O. Box 20070
Houston, Texas 77225-0070
