PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas — The official start of the rodeo is right around the corner and we're celebrating the history of local African-American cowboys.
We went to visit one of the oldest Black-organized trail rides in the country to learn about its rich history.
Prairie View Trail Riders Association is all about history. Established in 1957, Prairie View Trail Riders is one of the oldest Black-organized trail rides in the country.
At the helm of the organization is trail boss, Myrtis Dightman Jr.
“There was trail riding before there was rodeo,” he said. “You remember how they got around back in the day? They didn't have no cars. So, they had what? They had a wagon, mules and horses and they went from state to state, city to city trail riding!”
Dightman said the rodeo was formed out of those trail rides after cowboys had nothing to do on Sundays.
That tradition carries on today.
"It's all about the kids,” he said. “Our whole organization is about the kids and safety."
Without young people to carry on the tradition, well, there would be no trail riding.
For those who trail ride, it started at a young age. Those who continue said it's a legacy that comes from the heart.
"My dad was a cowboy! Most say he was born to ride bulls, OK? He was born to ride bulls he was just that good," he said.
He was the first African American to compete for a world championship in 1967. Though Dightman sticks to the trails he carries on the tradition for his dad.
“It's a lot of competition in rodeo but not so far in trail riding. They do that from the heart.”