The Salt Grass Trail Ride – the oldest and original trail ride for promoting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – made its way through Austin County Feb. 19-21. Initially organized by Pat Flaherty, Reese Lockett, E.H. Marks and John Warnasch, the trail ride dates back to 1953.

This year’s trail ride began Feb. 19 at Gene Wittenberg’s Pasture in Cat Spring and will end Feb. 26 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade in downtown Houston.

Over 1,000 riders participated in the Salt Grass Trail ride this year with 24 wagons and over 1,000 on horseback Meyer said.

“Not everyone rides every day, we usually have about 500 out on the ride each day,” said Connie Meyer, Salt Grass Trail Ride Public Relations Chairman.

Meyer described the Salt Grass Trail Ride as a family experience.

“Each wagon has fifty or more riders with them and it is a camaraderie with everything that we do. We all love the animals, we love the purpose and the history behind (the trail ride) so we want to keep it rolling,” Meyer said.

The Trail Boss for the 2022 Salt Grass Trail Ride is Philip Fairchild.

“Phillip has been with the ride for over forty years. The ride is a lot of fun and anyone who has the chance to watch us can see what it is and it’s a pretty exciting deal,” Meyer said.