Cabalgata La Grande Internacional Celebrates 25th Anniversary at Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
The Cabalgata La Grande Internacional, a San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo-sanctioned trail ride, celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Friday, January 31, 2025 at a historic ceremony held at the U. S.-Mexico international boundary line amid the City of Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, announced Luis Martinez, President and Trail Boss of the Cabalgata La Grande Internacional.
“The Cabalgata La Grande Internacional is one of 11 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Trail Rides, featuring trail riders from both the United States and Mexico as well as having the largest number of trail riders participating among the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo-sanctioned trail rides,” Cody Davenport, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo said.
Over 100 trail riders and wagons from the United States and Mexico participated in the 25th Anniversary ceremony held on January 31st in Eagle Pass. Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr., Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Mayor Jacobo Rodriguez, and Consul of Mexico at Eagle Pass Vivian Juarez Mondragon co-hosted the 25th Anniversary ceremony together with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and Cabalgata La Grande Internacional.
The Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic for two hours by U. S. Customs and Border Protection and the Mexican Customs and Migration Agency in order to hold the ceremony.
Eagle Pass Marketing Director Aide Castano served as Mistress of Ceremony at the event. Jessica Kowalski-Cavazos sang the United States national anthem. Vivian Luna sang the Mexican national anthem.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. welcomed the distinguished guests, trail riders, and representatives of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and Cabalgata La Grande Internacional to Eagle Pass. Mayor Salinas highlighted the sister cities of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras coming together once again to promote the beautiful and close bonds and relationship between the United States and Mexico.
Piedras Negras Mayor Jacobo Rodriguez stated the Cabalgata La Grande Internacional is a clear fraternal symbol between the friendship and common bonds enjoyed between people from Mexico and the United States.
Cabalgata La Grande Internacional Trail Boss Luis Martinez welcomed all the trail riders, representatives from Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, and guests to the 25th Anniversary ceremony. Martinez stated the Cabalgata La Grande Internacional is a symbol of the rich traditions and history of agriculture and cowboy culture between the United States and Mexico. Martinez noted the Cabalgata La Grande Internacional is the largest international trail ride at the U.S.-Mexico border.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Executive Director and CEO Cody Davenport stated “it warms my heart to see the close unity between our two countries and the common history we share concerning agriculture and cowboy culture.” “Agriculture, cattle, land, and producing from the land brings us together and keeps us together, crediting the origins of cowboys and trail rides to south of the border, Mexico. We never forget the rich Vaquero way of life and culture in Mexico that gave birth to agriculture, ranching, and cowboy culture in the United States.”
Bruce Aberthal, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Trail Rides Director, stated the Cabalgata La Grande Internacional grows larger every year and saluted its 25th Anniversary, declaring it to be the largest trail ride of the 11 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo-sanctioned trail rides.
Consul of Mexico at Eagle Pass, Texas Vivian Juarez Mondragon presented the official transfer of the Mexican national flag to officially inaugurate the 25th Anniversary of Cabalgata La Grande Internacional to Herlinda Quintero, an inaugural member of the first Cabalgata La Grande Internacional. Consul Vivian Mondragon Juarez stated the Cabalgata’s 25th Anniversary has created a strong community and unity between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, symbolizing the unity of both the United States and Mexico working together as partners in life, culture, commerce, and history.
Upon receipt of the Mexican national flag, Herlinda Quintero and her more than 40 Mexican trail riders joined the more than 60 United States trail riders and jointly commenced their 140 miles long, seven days journey to the grand opening ceremony of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The ceremony was a great success and celebrated the many common culture and history shared between the United States and Mexico. Viva Cabalgata La Grande Internacional! Viva San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo! Viva Mexico! God Bless the United States!
