Day Trips

Central Texas rodeos feature some of the best live-action entertainment in the state. It's a small-town tradition that keeps growing in popularity.

So far this year, many of the area rodeos have seen record attendance. "I don't know why it is," says Johnny Hoyle of Cadillac Rodeo Co. in Mexia. "Maybe people are just staying closer to home."

Hoyle supplies the livestock for the rodeo. He's already produced shows in Marble Falls, Stonewall, and Eldorado this year. Coming up, he'll be in Schulenburg (Aug. 1-2), Boerne (Aug. 29-30), and Rockdale (Oct. 17-18).

One of his favorite rodeos is the Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo. Part of Hoyle's affection for Bastrop might be that he won the bull-riding competition there in 1982, 30 years after his father, Booger Hoyle, won the same event.

"The Bastrop Rodeo is a great atmosphere," Hoyle says. "It's a small arena, and you're right on top of the action." The event began 61 years ago as a homecoming celebration for soldiers returning from World War II. It now includes a parade, carnival, dance, and high school reunion.

"The smaller rodeos are the place to go if you've never been to a rodeo," Hoyle says. At the big stock-show rodeos, you might be too far away from the action to smell the excitement. At the smaller arenas, you can get up close and personal. "At Bastrop, you can stand on the fence and meet the cowboys," he says.

Bull riding is the most popular event among fans. Hoyle says it's not a matter of if a bull rider is going to get hurt, but when. Sharp Dressed Man, one of his bulls who was honored as Bull of the Year, can be particularly brutal when a cowboy gets on his back. But put him in the pasture with his buddies, and he's as gentle as the cows, Hoyle says.

The horses are a different matter. They're a breed that has retained its wildness. Built like draft horses, the bucking horses are bigger and heavier than saddle horses. Hoyle advises newcomers to the sport to pay special attention to the characteristics of a bronc. "If it weren't for rodeos, this breed probably wouldn't exist anymore," he says.

After working with the same livestock for eight to 10 years, Hoyle says he grows fond of some of the animals. He tries to have a consistent group of good quality animals for the competition, but each animal has its own personality. Sharp Dressed Man and Bo Diddley, a saddle bronc, are his current favorites. "You become attached to them like you would a dog," he says.

The Bastrop Rodeo takes place Aug. 1-2 with performances at 8pm. For information, visit www.bastrophomecomingrodeo.org or call 512/303-0558. For a schedule of other area rodeos, go to www.cprarodeo.com.

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