2026 Rules of Participation

1. General

1. All participants must complete a Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) Indemnity Form.
2. Horse riders and wagon drivers must maintain current Health Certificates and Negative Coggins documentation.
3. Parents and guardians are responsible for the conduct of their minor children.
4. Wagon clubs are responsible for the conduct of their members.
5. Compliance with instructions issued by Scouts, Safety Bosses, or PVTRA officials is mandatory.
6. PVTRA officials are held to the highest standard of conduct; profanity or disrespect toward officials may result in immediate suspension and voided registration.
7. All applicable HLSR rules are incorporated by reference.
8. All participants are bound by the PVTRA Code of Conduct.

2. Campsites

1. Parking must comply with Safety Boss directives including specific instructions regarding parking to ensure efficient use of space and to maintain fire lanes.
2. Wagon clubs and members are responsible for cleaning and policing their campsites.
3. Fires must be contained in barrels.
4. No horseback riding is permitted within campsites.

3. On the Trail

1. Official PVTRA badges/buttons are required and must match the roster.
2. Wagon Bosses must carry rosters, Coggins, and Health Certificates for their riders.
3. **Wagons must display proper signage daily, which includes wagon number and Trail Ride name, and must be posted on each wagon and/or buggy (including the parade route and return to Memorial Park). Each sign must be at least 16"x16" with numbers no less than 10" tall x 1" wide.
4. Draft teams must have an outrider AT ALL TIMES and should NEVER be left unattended. Failure to comply may result in a fine and removal from the event.
5. **No rider may have in his or her possession or display any alcoholic beverage, bottles, or cans of any kind. Any rider with any wagon club displaying alcoholic beverages will be noted, and the wagon club may be prohibited from participation in future PVTRA events.
6. *Leading or ponying horses without a rider for an extended period is prohibited. Additionally, ponying a horse from a wagon is strictly prohibited.
7. **No horses or mules measuring less than 48".
8. No double riding, horse racing or trick riding. No horseback riding in camp.
9. Only authorized vehicles will be allowed to follow ride. Others must continue to next stop.
10. **All Trail Ride Scouts/Safety Bosses must wear a highly visible / reflective safety vest and have an orange flag or reflective gloves while on public roads.
11. Kicking horses must have a ribbon on the tail and should be kept on the right side at the back of the group.
12. Scouts and Safety Bosses have the authority to stop any horse or wagon that is deemed unsafe. Riders must comply immediately.

4. Attire

1. Western type clothes (cowboy hats, boots, jeans, long-sleeve shirt with collars, etc.) must be worn.
   1. Hats: All men are required to wear an approved hat. Women are NOT required to wear a hat. If a woman chooses to wear a hat, it must be an approved hat.
      1. Approved: Felt or straw Western cowboy hat; Riding safety helmet
      2. Non-Approved: Baseball style caps, stocking caps, visors, etc. and any type of headgear not in the approved section.
   2. Shirts, Pants, Coats, Boots, Rain Wear
      1. Approved: Traditional full collared, long sleeve, Western shirts with snaps or buttons, or "authentic" Western/pioneer style short collar shirt; 1 inch collar Western shirts; Western shirts with riding club/wagon names and/or logos; Solid color jeans; Western dusters; Western type jacket/coat (wagon names and/or logos are allowed); Western boot with a definite cut heel (including laced boots); Rain slickers; Poncho (solid color); 2-piece rain suits (solid color).
      2. Non-Approved: T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, shirts with no collars, etc.; Western wear with commercial names and/or logos; Striped or multicolored jeans, overalls, sweatpants, shorts; Any type of pant not in the approved section; Metallic, neon, camouflage jackets, etc.; Any jacket with commercial advertisement; Tennis shoes, work boots, hiking boots, chukka boots, rubber boots, etc.; Any type of boot not in the approved section; Any rain gear that is camouflage.
      3. EXCEPTIONS during rainy weather only: Work boots, rubber boots, or any approved boot.
2. No advertisement on clothing (i.e.: Wrangler, Cinch, Budweiser, etc.)
3. Shirt colors (Purple, Gold, and White) must be adhered to on the designated days.

5. Memorial Park & Parade

1. There shall be no loading or unloading of horses or equipment at the entrance to Memorial Park or on Memorial Drive.
2. Entry to Memorial Park requires a vehicle Hang Tag and a Park Pass. Each Park Pass is good for one (1) entry.
3. All wagons exiting the parade route & entering the Fonde Recreation Center must have prior approval by the trail boss.
4. ABSOLUTELY no loading or unloading horses on memorial drive.
5. Wagons must remain covered throughout the parade.
6. All parade participants must leave Memorial Park on Saturday immediately following the parade.
7. The campsite must be clean before leaving the park. NO TRASH, NO HAY, NO MANURE, etc. Empty garbage containers into dumpster.

6. Prohibited Activities

1. No illegal drugs; No weapons or firearms. No fighting: All members are expected to be respectful of others.
2. No 4-wheelers (except explicitly authorized by the trail boss for official use).
3. No stallions or bulls are permitted on the grounds. Dogs are allowed in camp but must be on a leash.