With more than 9,600 entries annually, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's horse show boasts a reputation as one of the most renowned equine events in the world. It's no wonder why it takes more than 1,100 of the Show's most dedicated and talented volunteers to organize and conduct all 19 days of the horse show.
"Many people have no idea how much work and how many people it takes to put on a horse show of this magnitude," said R.H. "Steve" Stevens, general chairman of the 16 horse show committees. "We have so many great volunteers who all take pride in making every aspect of our show a success." Even weeks before palominos and appaloosas grace the floor of the Astroarena, committee members are on site setting up pens and stalls and unloading truckloads of dirt to prepare the arena. Nearly half of the horse show committee members serve on the various breed committees: Appaloosa, Arabian/Half Arabian, Junior Quarter Horse, Miniature, Paint, Palomino and Quarter Horse. These individual breed committees are responsible for organizing and conducting their particular events. Utilizing the rules and regulations set forth by their respective national associations, each breed committee supervises its show, also ensuring contestants' compliance with Show guidelines. From manning gates and the arena floor to tabulating scores and handing out trophies and awards, committee members are involved in every facet of the various shows. Two individuals from each breed committee are represented on the Horse Show Awards Committee, the "dream team" for coordinating fund-raising activities to underwrite special awards and trophies for horse show winners. This group secures donors and seeks potential sponsors as well. Houston also is home to the National Cutting Horse Association World Finals. The Cutting Horse Committee works with NCHA officials on event coordination and also handles the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cutting competition. In addition to the specific breed committees, several other committees contribute to the enormous scope and smooth execution of the horse show. Opening the doors to younger exhibitors, the Junior Horse Judging Contest Committee handles this unique competition inside the Astrodome. Volunteers secure horses, handle the entries, and solicit and present awards. They also conduct the actual contest with more than 1,500 participants. The Donkey and Mule Committee coordinates two days of competition, which features events such as the mule pull, coon hunters jumping and Western pleasure. The Horse Show Equipment Committee, a vital link in the horse show "chain," works virtually around the clock during the entire run of the Show. In addition to setting up pens and stalls, members work with each breed committee on specific equipment and supplies needed to run its events -- from hauling in an organ and plants for the Arabian show, to building special chutes for calf roping, to setting up fences and jumps for obstacle patterns. Almost one-third of the horse show volunteers serve on the Horspitality Committee, acting as hosts for the thousands of equine exhibitors. Meeting and greeting contestants, handing out information packets, picking up exhibitors' saddles and tack and overseeing the trailer parking in the Astroarena's lot, this group works 24 hours a day until the last horse leaves the parking lot. It takes lots of voices to tell spectators what's going on in the arena during the three weeks of competition, and members of the Horse Show Announcers Committee do just that. In addition to announcing each event, they monitor the public address equipment during each performance. The Show also hosts the annual Premier Horse Sale, and the Horse Sales Assistance Committee is charged with organizing and promoting the sale, at which approximately 70 of the top working and riding horses in Texas are sold. The 1997 event tallied $229,600 in sales. Finally, the Horse Show Advisory Committee is a special group comprised of longtime past members of various horse show committees. These seasoned volunteers provide advice and guidance on horse show activities. In addition to the hundreds of volunteers, talented leadership is vital to the overall organization of these 16 diverse committees. Lodie Stapleton, a Show vice president and the officer in charge, cites the committees' structure and leadership as primary reasons for the group's success. "I work with a general and assistant general chairman -- both of whom are experienced horse show volunteers -- each day during the Show to ensure all activities in the arena run smoothly. We definitely work as a team, and at least one of us is in the arena almost 24 hours a day during the entire run of the Show," he said. "Having these two positions also ensures a smooth transition of leadership within the horse show." Following the Show each year, committee chairmen submit reports on their respective events and committee activities as well as suggestions for enhancing the following year's events. The officer in charge, general chairman and assistant general chairman review all reports with Judy Jordan, horse show director; John Sykes, assistant general manager of agricultural exhibits and competition; and the Show's president. "Each year we strive to enhance the horse show, and working with the individual chairmen and Show staff facilitates continual improvements and growth in the horse show," said Jamie Ehrman, assistant general chairman. Although the horse show itself has grown tremendously in the last few years, the committees have undergone minimal growth. "That means a lot of responsibilities for these volunteers," added Ehrman. The officer in charge and chairmen also work closely with Jordan year-round. Months prior to the start of the Show, Jordan handles all entries, forms and fees for all contestants. During the three weeks of competition, she processes all show results and handles the distribution of prize money. "Judy's 20 years of experience and expertise contribute to a successful show every year," said Stapleton. "The horse show would not be able to run without her." The 1998 show will mark the 61st year of Houston's horse show -- the first one was held at the Houston Fat Stock Show in 1938. Although much has changed since that time, Houston's prestigious equine event truly remains a testament to the excitement and excellence of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Horse Show LeadershipOfficer in Charge - Lodie Stapleton General Chairman - R.H. "Steve" Stevens Assistant General Chairman - Jamie Ehrman Appaloosa - Dale Martin Arabian/Half Arabian - Scott Van Meter Cutting Horse - Butch Robinson Donkey & Mule - Kenneth Bellew Junior Horse - Clayton Stewart Miniature - Steve Albritton Paint - Mike Pillow Palomino - Wanda Eckols Quarter Horse - Charles Melton Horse Sales Assistance - Mary Pennington Horse Show Advisory - R.H. "Steve" Stevens Horse Show Announcers - Mark Newton Horse Show Awards - Chuck Caldwell Horse Show Equipment - Floyd R. Mills Sr. Horspitality - Buddy Anderson Junior Horse Judging Contest - Ava Urbanovsky
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