'Capitol' improvements make Rodeo Austin one of state's best

By Kevin Carmody, PRCA
Posted Monday, March 3, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Eight years ago, the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo was just another stop on the rodeo trail, one that cowboys may or may not have decided to enter. Nowadays, the rodeo has blossomed into one of Texas’ premier events, growing by leaps and bounds along the way and implementing innovations at every turn.

Simply put, it’s a hot ticket. The 2008 edition, like RodeoHouston, starts today and runs through March 15 after 13 performances at the Travis County Expo Center.

Under the direction of CEO and General Manager Bucky Lamb, the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, also known as Rodeo Austin, has made great strides in recent years to join San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth as the Lonestar State’s top rodeos. Statistics, as they say, never lie, and Austin’s statistical growth has been paramount.

Since Lamb took over in 2000, the rodeo’s added money ($154,000 in 2008) has grown by 197 percent and its total purse has increased by 132 percent. The Junior Livestock Show and Scholarship Program, which is a large part of the fair, has grown by 838 percent and is now the eighth-largest junior livestock show in the nation.

In addition, the fair and rodeo’s volunteer base has more than doubled to its current total of 2,500 volunteers serving on 33 committees, and Rodeo Austin’s total scholarship donations have also grown exponentially. Since the scholarship program began in 1983, Rodeo Austin has donated more than $3.5 million in collegiate scholarships to Texas youth, and 56 percent of that has come in just the last eight years.

Rodeo Austin is the sixth stop on the 2008 Wrangler ProRodeo Tour.
Last year, saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss of Heflin, La., won the average title for the third consecutive year, returning from back injuries suffered at the 2006 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to defend his crown. His three-head total of 252 points gave him the title and $11,145.

Adding to the rodeo thrills and spills will be more than 5,000 junior livestock participants, a chuckwagon cook-off, which was started in 1985 and continues to grow strong, a carnival and commercial exhibits.