East Texas Stampede 4-H Equestrians earns national titles

The East Texas Stampede Equestrian team representing Van Zandt County and Texas 4-H is fresh off their competition schedule which ended with successful trip to the South East Mounted National Open Competition at Mississippi State University Horse Park in Starkville, Miss. 

The team’s season started in late fall of 2014 and continued with multiple rescheduled practices in spring 2015 due to the abundance of rainfall in Van Zandt County. With patience and determination, the show season started as planned with performances at the TVCC college rodeo in Athens, appearances at the Annual Mesquite Rodeo Parade and the Van Zandt County Veteran’s Memorial Presentation of Colors. 

Those honors were followed by performances at the 50^th annual LaDonia Rodeo and the Canton Poor Boy Rodeo. 

“The East Texas Stampede wishes to thank the community and businesses for their gracious support and generous donations,” Coach and Manager Kelly Jayroe said. “Through the sale of magnetic advertising signs, barbecue plate lunch sales and gifted donations, the team was able to take 18 horses and riders on the 16-hour round trip to the National competition at Mississippi State University.”

The Stampede competed in nine different divisions in youth and open categories and earned the title of National Champion in seven of those divisions, as well as Reserve National Champion in two divisions.

The Stampede’s last performance of the season will be at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo finals Friday, Aug. 29. 

“Please join us for the final night of the rodeo and an exciting rodeo performance with youth from Van Zandt and surrounding counties,” Jayroe said.  

For information regarding how to join, sponsorship or booking a performance / appearance, contact Jayroe at 214-502-8762. 

The team also has a Facebook page The East Texas Stampede.

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