THE HISTORY
Carrying on the Traditions of the Pioneers
In the spring of 1930, a group of men, many of whom were pioneers of Stamford, met to discuss forming an organization, a community project that would help pull the town out of the Great Depression. They wanted to honor the pioneers of the west and provide a place where they could come together and “live again the days of the longhorn and open range,” and so these men decided on a rodeo. After discussing various possible names, Ray Rector, pioneer photographer, spoke up and said, “I move that we call it the Texas Cowboy Reunion!”
The first meeting was set for June 26, 27, and 28 of 1930. With no time to build an arena, the group decided on a natural amphitheatre on Swenson Ranch, the sides on which crude benches were constructed. The registration exceeded the hopes of those who organized the first reunion, with 98 contestants. Eight outfits brought their chuck wagons along to set up camp. The participants and fans came from all over Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, and elsewhere.
The Texas Cowboy Reunion is responsible for many contests which are now considered a part of rodeos everywhere, such as the cutting horse contest, wild cow milking, barrel racing, and the idea of sponsors.
Begun as a small community project, started with a few men, the Texas Cowboy Reunion grew to be known as the largest amateur rodeo in the world. It had one mission, as stated by Ray Rector: “To perpetuate the memory of the West, to entertain the pioneers of the past, to keep alive the traditions of those that wrested this country from the Indians and the Buffalo is our one aim, and to this task we have pledged our time, our money, and our efforts. With this idea in view we believe our organization will continue to grow until the last drive has been made, the last alkali bogs have been passed and the last great round-up will find us all together where cutting horses never gets tired and where no night guards are needed.”
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Matt Mueller, President and General Manager
Kevin McCright, Vice President
Rex Ford, Treasurer
Jim Astin, Secretary
Pat Pierce
Fareed Hassen
Don Welch
HONORARY DIRECTORS
Matt Mueller, President and General Manager
Kevin McCright, Vice President
Rex Ford, Treasurer
Jim Astin, Secretary
Pat Pierce
Fareed Hassen
Don Welch
CHAIRPERSONS
Audra Arendall, Publicity
Jim Astin, Dance
Cheyenne Bereuter, Parade
Casey Cooper-Woodard, Bar-B-Que Cookoff
Linda Dalliston, Cowboy Poetry
James Decker, Chuckwagon Cookoff & Matched Horse Races
Jessica Decker Vaughan, Marketing
Rex Detamore, Sponsorships
Carl & Bridget Griggs, Stalls and Campers
Paige Griggs, Contestant Hospitality
Raymond Hollabaugh, Legal
Cody Lawson, Hospitality
Kevin McCright, Rodeo Events
Lisa McKeever, Trade Show
Pat Pierce, Lighting
Sherrie & Jim Raughton, Tickets & Accounting
Caitlin Richards, Hospitality
Erick & Patsy Richards, Guest Cabin
Shane Roberts, Rodeo Events
Matt Sanders, Parking, Gates and Guards
Michael Sanders, Maintenance
Stamford EMS, First Aid
Lisa Terrell, Souvenir Program
Gus West, Dance
Jimmy West, Waste Management