• Shop the Look Above: Faux Fur Coat: J Crew // Skirt: Theory // Wedges: Aerosoles // Eyeglasses: Burberry // Photos: Libro Musica

I went to Houston, Texas this past weekend to visit my best friend (and bridesmaid) and attended my first rodeo! The “Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” aka “Rodeo Houston” is one of the largest live entertainment and livestock exhibitions.  The Houston Rodeo is held at NRG (formerly Reliant) stadium where the Houston Texan’s play and lasts for almost the entire month of March!  The rodeo features championship rodeo action, livestock competitions, carnival rides, pig racing, horse racing, barbecue, shopping and concerts!  

My friend got us “chute seat” tickets through her work, which are the best tickets you can get for the rodeo.  With our chute seat tickets, we got a Texas-style steak dinner in a private tent before the rodeo started with an open bar. Inside NRG stadium, our rodeo seats were located directly behind the “bucking chutes” where the cowboys and animals come out. We had a private bar and could walk down and meet all the performers before they went out inside the rodeo ring.  My favorite part of the rodeo was the “mutton bustin” competition, where little kids between the ages of 5 and 6 ride sheep and try not to fall off.  It was probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

After all the rodeo competitions and performances are over, Rodeo Houston has concerts and so many famous people come to perform.  Jason Derulo performed the night we went!  With our chute seat tickets we could leave our seats in the stadium sit on floor seats of the NRG stadium to watch Jason Derulo.  We were so close to him and could see his gold body glitter.  He’s an amazing performer and at the end of the concert he rode away in a horse…which pretty much made my night.  After the Jason Derulo concert was over, we got to hang out in the rodeo after party, which you can only go to if you know someone, or are part of the rodeo committee.  My friend is on the rodeo committee, which is why we got to attend.  A really nice cowboy tried to teach me the Texas “two-step” but I’m a horrible dancer and am extremely uncoordinated.  He kept telling me to stop leading and that was his job.  I’m too OCD and type A, so I don’t like people telling me what to do.  Alas, “two-stepping” was a fail.  Now, I’m a little nervous for my first dance at my wedding…

I loved the rodeo and can see why people rave about it and go every year.  I may have to come back next March and attend the rodeo.  I feel like an honorary Texan now!  Has anyone else been to the Houston rodeo?

xx,

Lauren