Cabalgata Internacional La Grande Kicks Off at Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Port of Entry
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
After a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2023 Cabalgata Internacional La Grande kicked-off it 23rd annual Trail Ride on Friday, February 3, 2023, at the United States-Mexico international boundary line of the Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Port of Entry with 180 trail riders participating, announced Luis Martinez, Trail Boss of Cabalgata Internacional La Grande.
“Cabalgata Internacional La Grande is the only U.S.-Mexico international trail ride and is an official trail ride of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo,” Martinez said. “We missed not having it the past two years due to the pandemic, but this year everybody was excited celebrating it again and riding for seven days and 145 miles to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo where our 180 trail riders will merge with other Texas Trail Rides and march into the grand opening of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo,” Martinez added.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Mayor Norma Trevino Galindo welcomed the trail riders and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo representatives to the 2023 Cabalgata Internacional La Grande at the international boundary line of the Camino Real Bridge in Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Mexico.
Mayor Salinas stated the “Cabalgata Internacional La Grande” is an important cultural event commemorating the rich history of ranching and cattle raising in South Texas and Northern Mexico for over 175 years since Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras were founded in 1849.
Piedras Negras Mayor Norma Trevino Galindo stated the “Cabalgata Internacional La Grande” symbolizes the friendship and good will between Mexico and the United States and its citizens.
Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony included Mexican Consul of Eagle Pass Ismael Naveja Macias, U. S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Laredo District Director Paul Del Rincon, Eagle Pass Port of Entry Interim Director Michael Martinez, and representatives from the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
Cabalgata Internacional La Grande Trail Boss Luis Martinez presented several plaques of recognition to Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras supporters of the sole U. S.-Mexico international trail ride.
Representatives of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo presented Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. and Piedras Negras Mayor Norma Trevino Galindo with a plaque of recognition for support of the Alamo City annual stock show, rodeo, and exposition.
After the ceremonies concluded, Cabalgata Internacional La Grande Trail Boss Luis Martinez signaled the start of the trail ride to the 180 excited trail riders and wagons who paraded down the Camino Real International Bridge into Eagle Pass on their planned seven day 145 miles long trail ride to San Antonio.
