Since its establishment in 1938, Rodeo Austin has been a part of Central Texas culture, with its deep commitment to the community and youth development. This year, hundreds of kids as young as third grade are participating in local 4H and FFA clubs across the state. One of them is 17-year-old Savanna Elizondo of Webberville, a village in far eastern Travis County.
“I got involved in 4H when I was in second grade,” Elizondo said. “My cousins showed animals, and my aunt convinced me to try it out. I won first place showing a lamb and a goat in third grade, and I was hooked.”
Ten major livestock shows are held across Texas, including Rodeo Austin. Elizondo has competed, placed and made sales in five of them.
When she was younger, she preferred showing sheep because she thought it was more fun to groom and prepare them. These days, she prefers the Boer goats she presents in the Market Whether Goat Show.
During this year’s Travis County Youth Show, Elizondo took home Grand Champion in the Lamb Show, and she is counting on bringing home the same title, but for her goat entry at this year’s Rodeo Austin.
“They have great personalities, and they’re fun to work with,” she said. “This year, I’m showing Snoop Dogg at Rodeo Austin, the one with the black head. He’s got great markings and is structurally sound – something the judges look for.”
While Elizondo doesn’t name all of the animals she raises for show, this year’s group was aptly named.
“We have Kid Rock because he’s so hyper, Snoop because he’s so chill and laid back, Roly-Poly because he was a round little baby, and Jake because his breeder’s name was Jay, and I wanted to name him something similar,” she said.
All of the livestock she raises eventually go to market once they compete and are auctioned off.
“Sometimes I get a little sad about letting them go,” Elizondo said. “Especially if I’ve bonded with them, but this is what I do, and I knew from the beginning that it was part of the process. You have to let them go.”
What began as a modest event has grown into one of Austin’s premier attractions. Since 2022, it has drawn over 400,000 attendees who come to celebrate rodeo traditions and support local causes.
“The first livestock show in 1940 was called the Austin Baby Beef Show,” CEO Glen Alan Phillips said. “It took place on the grounds of the State Capitol, and by 1984, it had moved to the Travis County Expo Center, where it’s been held ever since.”
Over the decades, it has become an integral part of Austin’s identity, blending its agricultural heritage with modern entertainment. The event now includes professional rodeo competitions, a star-studded concert series with acts like Robert Earl Keen and Dashboard Confessionals, and a carnival that attracts families and visitors from across the region.
At the heart of Rodeo Austin’s mission is its impact on young people like Savanna through the Junior Livestock Show and related programs.
“We had just under 10,000 entries, exceeding the previous years, to the different events this year,” Phillips said. “Recently, we’ve added an ag-robotics competition and science fair, and this is the first year for us to have a public speaking competition.”
These initiatives allow the youth to showcase their animals and agricultural projects. Beyond that, these programs “foster immense responsibility, a strong work ethic and a connection to Texas’ rural roots,” Phillips said.
For many participants, these experiences lead to scholarships and other educational opportunities, paving the way for bright futures.
“As far as our scholarship program goes, we partner with various universities, Austin Community College and trade schools across the state,” Phillips said. “Those scholarship dollars go back into the state while advancing the participant’s education.”
The rodeo’s positive influence extends beyond youth development. Since its inception, the nonprofit has dramatically impacted the Austin economy, “pouring in millions of dollars to the city,” Phillips said.
As Rodeo Austin continues to grow, it maintains its commitment to blending entertainment with purpose. These experiences honor Texas traditions and empower our community.
“We’re just excited to provide an opportunity for students to come out and compete,” Phillips said. “It teaches them how to deal with adversity. Just like in life, you work all year, as Savanna has done by preparing her lamb and goat, but life throws curveballs, and you can’t win every time. It makes you work harder and try again.”
We’re just excited to provide an opportunity for students to come out and compete.