To keep the cowboy tradition alive

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In a tradition that calls on the days of Texas’s Pioneer Era, some Wilson County area weighs will fill with the sound of hoofbeats and the creak of carriage wheels as trail riders make their stable path to San Antonio to join the Grand Post By 2025 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Three major trail riding organizations will wander through Wilson County and nearby areas this week-Corpus Christi-based South Texas Trail Riders, Mesquite Trail drivers, calling Adkins home, and the old Chisholm Trail drivers starting their turn in Cuero. The old Chisholm includes several smaller organizations, including Sandhill’s trail drivers from La Vernia, Cross Country Trail Riders and Rawhide Riders. Each group has chosen ambassadors – queens, masks, princesses and more – to represent them, promote the organization, trail riding and rural areas in the communities they visit along the routes.

Give a warm welcome to the riders and say hello to these ambassadors when you see them on the road or on an overnight stop in your community!

South Texas Path Riders

South Texas Trail Riders is on their 66th annual trip to San Antonio.

Greeting people along the way is this year’s queen, Allyson Swaney by Natalia, currently students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she is pursuing a degree in agricultural science along with a teaching certification; She strives to become AG -Teacher.

“I’ve been driving since before I can remember, and the annual hike to San Antonio is something I look forward to all year,” said Allyson, who enjoys reading, especially mysteries and adventures, as well as camping and hiking in state and national parks.

“I am very excited to have the privilege to represent the South Texas Trail riders on their 66th annual traily trip …,” she said. “I look forward to seeing everyone on the track this year.”

Rose Mauriza Ramirez is the South Texas Trail Riders darling.

A member of the South Texas Trail Riders for more than 50 years, she loves to drive and listen to the music from Sound Van – it’s “like having our own DJ,” she said. Rose also enjoys driving on the beach on South Padre Island, the hills of Bandera and mountain paths in other states.

“We’re all trying to keep the cowboy tradition (alive) and have fun,” Rose said.

To serve as mascot this year is Trevor Culpepper From Falls City, a third generation trail rider; His father, Travis, was a riding -mascot in 1999 and is this year’s acting trail manager. Trevor’s grandfather, Virgil Culpepper, was a car manager with his stage coach, and Grandma Pumpkin Culpepper is an active advisory board member after serving many years on the organization’s board of directors.

In addition to riding on horses and running the family’s mules on trail rides, Trevor, a student at Luther Thomas Elementary School, likes to go hunting with his father and fishing with his father and uncle and going to the beach in their house in Port O ‘Connor.

Mesquite Path Drivers

Katie Barnhill, 19, is 2024-25 Mesquite Trail Drivers Queen. The daughter of Lisa Jenddrzey and John Barnhill and Stepmom Priscilla Barnhill attend Palo Alto College and pursue a degree in teaching. When she doesn’t track or study, she enjoys hunting and fishing.

“I started driving when I was 7 years old and got my first horse, Chula, 9 years old,” she said. Katie is running on her new horse, Little Red, this year. My other hobbies include hunting and fishing.

“I look forward to representing the Mesquite Trail drivers this year on their way to San Antonio.”

This year’s Mesquite Trail Drivers Princess is Sydney Collins, 14, daughter of Michael and Samantha Collins. Floresville High School Sophomore plays first base for Junior Varsity Jaguars Softball Team.

“I enjoy driving on my horse, fancy,” Sydney said.

To serve as a mascot is 8-year-old Doc Collins, A third -classing at Floresville North Elementary School. The son of Michael and Samantha Collins is a catcher in baseball in Kid-Pitch in Floresville, who also enjoys video games, plays football and football and runs on his horse, Duke.

Charley Kelley is the organization’s “Little Miss.” The 9-year-old daughter of Marion and Stephanie Kelley is at home lessons and loves to be outside. She enjoys Jiu Jitsu and rides on horses along with roller skating and riding bikes.

“My mother says I’ve been running horses since I could sit up on my own,” Charley said. “My best assembly is Belle, who is 20 years old, but I also have Pearl, who is 9 years old, like me.”

Old Chisholm Path Drivers

Meet Old Chisholm Trail drivers Queen Karoline Rowlands by Victoria, the 16-year-old daughter of Daniel and Sarah Rowlands.

Her deep connection to the traily trip began at just 2 years old and her dedication has only grown since. Karoline is an active member of Texas High School Rodeo Association and also stands out as a member of the Varsity Track Team at Goliad High School. She also demonstrates her leadership skills as president of the Mission Valley 4-H Club in Victoria County.

Sterling Rone Evans, 9, is the old Chisholm -mascot. An equal student at La Vernia Elementary School, he recently joined the Chess Club and is the main goal of his football team. Sterling is a caring big brother to his sister and new baby brother. He is eagerly looking forward to helping lead the old Chisholm Trail drivers on their trip this year.

Cross Country Path Riders

Cross -country trail riders Queen Madalyn Rowlands by Victoria, 17, is senior at Yorktown High School. She is the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Rowlands.

Madalyn shines both on and off the field as a Varsity Basketball player and an honorary roll student. She is a dedicated member of Victoria County 4-H and shows pigs at Victoria Livestock Show. She has also been submerged in the Trail Ride tradition since she could walk. Madalyn plans to go on the Wharton County Junior College to begin his journey towards becoming a dental hygienist.

Kimber Marie Robbins By McCoy is this year’s cross -country mascot. She is first-class at Poth Elementary School and is the 6-year-old daughter of Bubba and Rachel Robbins and the big sister of Kolry and Ringo. She is involved in volleyball, basketball, football, gymnastics and of course trail riding, which runs deep into Kimber’s bloodline, which goes back to her great-granddaughter, Marjorie Vanek, who started with the old Chisholm Trail drivers many years ago.

Rawhide Riders

Emery Jane Smart By Westhoff, daughter of Scott and Jana Smart, is Rawhide Riders 2024-25 Princess.

“I am 14 years old and am in eighth grade at Cuero Junior High School, which is enrolled in all honor classes,” she said. “My partner’s name in Rawhide is Elliot. My favorite things to do include spending time with friends and riding Elliot. ”

Liberty Christine Smart – “Everyone calls me Libby” – is this year’s Rawhide Riders -Mascot.

“I live in Westhoff and am the 9-year-old daughter of Scott and Jana Smart.”

Libby, a fourth classing at Hunt Elementary School, who enjoys spending time on his iPad and being outside with his animals, running on his horse, lucky, on his way to San Antonio.

Sandhills Path Drivers

Sandhill’s Trail Drivers Queen is 20-year-old Elizabeth de Kiewiet, The daughter of Mark and Tania de Kiewiet.

“I am so honored to have served as Sandhill’s Trail Drivers Queen for the past two years, accompanied by my loving horse, Skeeter, who has been by my side through it all,” she said.

Elizabeth has always had a passion for animals that led her to the main subject in pre-veterinary studies at Texas A&M University Kingsville. She works as a private server at La Pesca Lodge in Baffin Bay and has been a veterinarian at County Line Animal Hospital in La Vernia since 2022.

Second Classing Reece Welch, 6, is Sandhill’s Trail Drivers Mascot. She is the daughter of Brandon and Shaelynn Welch. She runs on her beautiful horse, June Bug, on the path.

She has been a part of Sandhill’s trail drivers since the day she was born.

“I love trail riding with my friends and playing on horseback,” Reece said.

We welcome trail riders and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable trip!

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