Fort Worth Show wraps up successful run

By MANDY JOHN | Central Texas Edition

The nation's oldest Stock Show took place Jan. 11-Feb. 2 in Fort Worth. Competitors came from all over Texas, as well as other parts of the U.S., to compete. Jackie Long, of Mansfield, top left, is seen getting his horse Stormy ready for the barrel racing and calf roping competitions. -- Photos by Mandy John

February 13, 2003 -- The 107th Southwestern Ex-position and Livestock Show, which took place Jan. 11-Feb. 2 in Fort Worth, closed its 23-day run with officials declaring the event a remarkable success.

"We feel that this year was very successful," explained Shanna Weaver, publicity manager for the show. "The total livestock entries exceeded 21,000 and the livestock facilities were operating at full capacity during the entire show. The 15 livestock auctions held during the show gathered $3,712,419 in gross receipts.

"We didn't make any huge changes this year. The Fort Worth Stock Show prides itself on tradition."

According to the Website, www.fwssr.com, the stock show is the oldest in the nation. It was first held in 1896 when the trend toward purebred livestock was in its infancy and Fort Worth was on the threshold of becoming a major player in the world market place.

It stated that the show has operated under five names. It began without a name, but the next year adopted the name of Texas Fat Stock Show. Later, it was the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show, then the National Feeders and Breeders Show.

"In 1918 the name of Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show was chosen to give the event a broader scope of exhibitor involvement. The current Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show name surfaced in 1988 to better reflect modern industry trends.

Bartonville resident, Stacey Smith, proudly shows off her horse Classical Jazzman after placing 5th in the Hunt Seat Equitator competition and 9th in the Hunt Under Saddle competition. -- Photos by Mandy John

"The rodeo, as an indoor entertainment event, holds particular significance and pride for Fort Worth residents as they lay claim to hosting the world's original indoor rodeo."

"This year's stock show was fast-paced and had an exciting schedule planned with something for everyone," stated Weaver. "There were 30 action-packed rodeo performances and over 200 commercial exhibits, featuring the latest in farm and ranch equipment and western wear. This is in addition to the more than 20,000 head of livestock that were on exhibit during the run of the show. The only thing that we did not have this year were the concerts that followed the rodeo.

"The Midway this year was under new management and we were pleased with the visitors' response that it got."

The Website adds that the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show is a civic and educational enterprise, incorporated as a non-profit organization. It is founded as an educational showcase for the great livestock industry.

All profits are either returned to the city in the form of facility improvements or used to aid in advanced education, catering to a host of young people.

The 23-day schedule will continue in 2004 with show dates of Jan. 17 through Feb. 8.