DALLAS, Texas — Just in time to kick off the State Fair of Texas are the 2019 pre-Fair equine events! This year’s lineup offers a series of horse shows featuring teams and riders from all over the nation. Located in the Fair Park Coliseum and the Livestock Judging Pavilion, the series begins on August 2 and will continue each weekend through September 7. With the exception of the State Fair of Texas Rodeo, all horse shows are FREE to the public and offer fun entertainment for the entire family!
2019 PRE-FAIR HORSE SHOW LINEUP
National Miniature Donkey Show: August 5-6
Location: Fair Park Coliseum
Starting time: Mon. 9 a.m., Tues. 9 a.m.
For the first time ever, the State Fair of Texas is hosting the National Miniature Donkey Show in Fair Park. Miniature donkeys and exhibitors come from all over the nation to compete amongst others looking to reign in the coveted “National” title. These miniature donkeys typically hit maturity between 200-350 pounds, stand 32-34 inches tall, and originate in the Mediterranean area of Northern Africa.
Team Roping: August 9-10
Location: Fair Park Coliseum
Starting time: Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.
A rodeo favorite, team roping originated on ranches back when cowboys needed to treat or brand large steers and performing the task proved too difficult for one man. Today, team roping requires close cooperation and timing between two highly skilled ropers and their horses. Team ropers must correctly rope the front end and hind legs of a steer. Winners are determined by teams with the best time.
Ranch Sorting: August 16-18
Location: Fair Park Coliseum
Starting time: Fri. 9 a.m., Sat. 9 a.m., Sun. 9 a.m.
Using strategy, teamwork, and stock knowledge, ranch sorting celebrates traditional skills by requiring modern riders to divide and separate cattle. A team of two riders must know and anticipate how a cow will instinctively move in order to successfully move them from one pen to another in numerical order, all while maintaining the fastest time.
Arabian Show: August 23-25
Location: Fair Park Coliseum
Starting time: Fri. 9 a.m., Sat. 9 a.m., Sun. 9 a.m.
Arabians are the oldest ‘purebred’ of any horse in the world and are known for their balance and agility. The Arabian show consists of a series of different classes wherein a group of horses with similar training or characteristics compete against each other.
State Fair of Texas Rodeo: August 30-31 (Labor Day Weekend)
Location: Fair Park Coliseum
Doors open: 5:30 p.m.
Starting time: Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Get your tickets for the State Fair of Texas Rodeo online at BigTex.com/Rodeo.
Awarded UPRA “New Rodeo of the Year” in 2018, this old State Fair tradition will be an event you don’t want to miss. Held over Labor Day Weekend in the historic, air-conditioned Fair Park Coliseum, this two-night event is packed full of family-friendly entertainment, fun, and rodeo action. This competition will be held as a qualifier for the UPRA finals and involves both youth and adult participants.
Youth Rodeo: August 31-September 1
Location: Fair Park Coliseum
Starting time: Sat. 9 a.m., Sun. 9 a.m.
Texas 4-H and FFA youth members participate in this competition, held on the same weekend as the State Fair of Texas UPRA Rodeo. Youth participants compete in different events including breakaway roping, barrel racing, pole bending, and many others. Prizes and scholarships are awarded to top competitors and all-around winners from across the state of Texas.
Appaloosa Show: September 6-8
Location: Fair Park Coliseum
Starting time: Fri. 9 a.m., Sat. 9 a.m., Sun. 9 a.m.
Known for its unique and spotted pattern, the Appaloosa is an American horse used in a variety of equestrian events including western pleasure, games, and as working cow horses. This show consists of a series of different events including jumping, cattle, and ranch classes where groups of horses with similar training or characteristics compete against each other.
Donkey and Mule Show: September 7
Location: Livestock Judging Pavilion in Fair Park
Starting time: Sat. 9 a.m.
The horses’ larger-eared “cousins,” the donkey and mule, must compete in a multitude of events including hunt seat equitation, obstacle driving, pleasure driving, timed driving, course driving, western pleasure, horsemanship, reining, trail, barrel racing, stake race, scramble, and physical appearance.
For more information regarding the 2019 pre-Fair horse shows and State Fair of Texas livestock events, visit BigTex.com/Livestock-Shows. All times and locations are subject to change. Ending times will depend on number of exhibitors entered in each show.
Scoot on over to the Fair Park Coliseum and State Fair of Texas Livestock Judging Pavilion to enjoy the lineup pre-Fair horse shows every weekend through September 7! Then, mark your calendars for the 2019 State Fair of Texas, running Friday, September 27 through Sunday, October 20 in Fair Park, themed “Celebrating Texas Creativity.”
–State Fair of Texas
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