Bandera teamsters drive in Iconic Houston rodeo trail ride
Lew and Debra ready to haul the wagon.
Lew Pewterbaugh, Debra Slate and Wes Hatch pose with Wes' award for "Best Cowboy" in 2012. Courtesy Photos Susan Hull
Lew takes the reins of Debra's Haflinger horses, Mike and Ike.
One of the two wagons pulled by Debra's Haflingers, Nick and JR.
Two well-known Bandera horse people and their horses were invited to participate in the Salt Grass Trail Ride, grandaddy of all Texas rodeo trail rides, in the lead-up to the Houston Rodeo in February.
Debra Slate, owner of Wagon Rides of Bandera, and Lew Pewterbaugh spent nine days driving Debra’s two teams of Haflinger horses from Cat Springs to downtown Houston amid a gathering of horses, wagons, riders and teamsters.
The group was impressive in terms of numbers of participants but also in the degree of organization and planning needed to keep such a huge group fed, watered, sheltered and entertained for well over a week.
The Salt Grass Trail Ride began as a publicity stunt in 1952 and has since grown to be one of the best known parts of Houston’s rodeo season.
It gets its name from the coastal salt grass fields that cattle were driven through on their way to market, back when there was open range for cattle drives.
Slate says that participation has been on her bucket list for a long time, but the pieces finally came together this year.
Lew has graciously provided his eyewitness commentary on this unique experience: “I was honored to be asked by Debra (Slate) to accompany her and her two teams of Haflinger horses to drive wagons for the group ‘Wagon 22’ in the Saltgrass Trail Ride,” he said. “The Haflingers showed off their talents as powerful little workhorses.”
He said the group alternated teams every day so each team had a day off between pulling a heavy wagon loaded with beer, seltzers, sodas and water.
The horses carried eight to 10 people for as few as 12 miles to as many as 20 a day.
“It’s amazing the amount of work required of the camp and wagon bosses,” Lew said. “The camp bosses had to tear down the dining/activity tent every morning after the riders moved out, set up camp at the next site, move water for the horses to each of the stops, and fill water troughs for the evening camps.”
Wagon bosses ensured everyone was saddled, harnessed and hitched for lineup at 8:45 every morning to pull out at 9 a.m. sharp.
The number of riders and wagons varied every day but averaged about 300 riders and 22 wagons.
“All in all, it was a tremendous effort in planning and organization. It was an awesome sight to be the last wagon and see all the wagons and riders stretched out in front of you,” said Lew.
As we spoke, we were joined by Wes Hatch, who showed us his award for “Best Cowboy,” which he won on the same ride in 2012.
This year, the entire group representing Wagon 22 won the award for “Best Looking Riders”.
Lew added the Salt Grass Trail Ride is accepting applications to join them next year, which can be requested by emailing kckay21@gmail.com.
One hopes that the tradition can continue despite urban sprawl and increased traffic, but in the meantime it represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of history while enjoying an amazing nine-day party.