2 3 JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 16 - February 7, 2026 THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO www.fwssr.com NEWS BRIEF It’s heating up for the final two FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament qualifiers. These last two events are where rising talent battles for a coveted spot in the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament. Check out these local qualifier rodeos near you. You won’t be disappointed. Wichita Falls Pro Rodeo August 15-16 North Texas Fair & Rodeo Denton August 15-17 September 15 Entries Accepted Livestock, Horse, Poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits September 27 Youth Art Contest Entry Deadline. Click here to enter October 2 Shoot for Scholarships Fundraiser Learn more here October 17 - 22 International Wine Competition November 7 - 8 Cowboy Artists Of America Exhibition And Sale Guests can purchase works by renowned western artists. Event also showcases the 2025-2026 FWSSR Youth Art Contest winners. Fall of 2025 FWSSR High School BBQ Regional Competition Teams compete in ribs, brisket, chicken, beans, and dessert divisions. VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS 2026 Stock Show volunteer applications accepted through September 2, 2025. Click here for more information. TRADE SHOW VENDOR APPLICATIONS Deadline for the 2026 Trade Show vendor applications is October 31. Click here for more information. WELCOME NEW STAFF Brittney Searcey has joined the Stock Show’s full-time staff as horse show assistant, effective July 7. She is relocating to Fort Worth from Pendleton, Oregon, where she grew up raising and showing livestock and volunteering at the Pendleton Round-Up. Brittany is an outdoor enthusiast who loves traveling, hunting, and fishing, and previously has worked for the show as a seasonal employee. She looks forward to growing in her new role and embracing all that Fort Worth has to offer. Mariah James is joining the Stock Show’s full-time staff as sponsorship assistant. Her background includes coordinating high-impact sponsorships and events at both Rodeo Austin and the Texas Rattlers, where she oversaw sponsor activations, managed logistics, and helped coordinated grassroots marketing efforts. We are excited to have Mariah in this role at FWSSR. Mariah replaces Jared Hammer who recently resigned to join the Rural Media Group. Supporting Lone Star wine industry career opportunities is Stock Show goal. When one conjures up images of Texas agricultural history, cattle or cotton likely come to mind. But right alongside cattle trails and cotton gins in the annals of Texas ag lore are, yes, wine grape vineyards. Franciscan missionaries in the 17th Century brought grape vines with them to be used for sacramental wine and vineyards were established in those days along the Rio Grande. Today, the Texas wine industry generates more than $24 billion in economic value and 136,770 full-time jobs paying more than $6 billion in wages according to information provided by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. So, it makes sense that Texas’ oldest major livestock show and indoor rodeo should host a wine competition; the scale, of which, includes wines from around the globe. Matching up with the FWSSR mission, education and highlighting Texas agriculture are priorities for the competition. The FWSSR Vine 2 Wine International Wine Competition was launched in the fall of 2024 where more than 700 wines from 11 nations competed in three divisions. MOVING FORWARD “We want to not only highlight Texas wineries and wine on an international scale, but support career opportunities in the industry,” said FWSSR Special Events Director, Ashley Davis. “Investing in the future of Texas agriculture includes viticulture and viniculture. A long-term goal is to support a scholarship program for viticulture and viniculture students attending Texas A&M or Texas Tech University.” Reaching out to potential community partners and volunteers are goals for the 2025 competition which will be held October 17 through 22. “We want to connect our competition and winners with local restaurants, hotels and special events with hopes to create synergies to not only promote the wine competition, but generate excitement for Stock Show and Rodeo season,” said Davis. Volunteer recruitment for the event is another high priority. “Do you have some time to spare in October,” she asks. “I’m needing a group of wine-centric individuals who can assist in the late summer and early fall months and then during the competition. We need help with flighting, pouring, serving judges and even polishing glasses.” Those interested in helping should contact Stock Show Volunteer Director Rose Alvarez at ralvarez@fwssr.com or Ashley Davis at ashley@fwssr.com. RAISING YOUR GLASS AT 2026 FWSSR Award winners will be swirled and enjoyed at the 2026 Stock Show’s Vine 2 Wine official events. Sip & Shop - January 21 and 28 (Wednesdays) – will allow participants to taste 12 wines from the competition while they browse the aisles of vendors in the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall. Wine Camps on January 28 and February 4 will provide participants tastings of winning wines and the opportunity to learn about winemaking from industry experts. Bubbles & Bites scheduled for February 1 will pair wines from around the world with food from 14 local restaurants in what’s become one of the Stock Show’s most popular events. VINE 2 WINE HIGHLIGHTS TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY ON GLOBAL STAGE THE FINAL TWO GET INVOLVED UPCOMING EVENTS
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