FORT WORTH, Texas (February 16, 2023) – Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR), the world’s leading all-Black touring rodeo, today announced the organization’s Texas Connection Series, slated to take over the historic Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, for four weekends, beginning on Saturday, February 18.

Following the initial event, subsequent BPIR Texas Connection Series events will be held on May 13, June 17, and August 19.

The event series is the latest programming to be brought to the Fort Worth Stockyards via the joint venture forged between the PBR (Professional Bull Riders), ASM Global, and Stockyards Heritage Development Co. in June 2021. In addition to Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the partnership has brought a multitude of western lifestyle programming to Cowtown Coliseum, including Bulls Gone Wild, Mexico In Our Blood, and more.

The Texas Connection Series is one of two competitive BPIR series that bring the world’s best Black Cowboys and Cowgirls to various cities across the United States as it celebrates its 39^th anniversary season. The Texas Connection Series is joined by the BPIR Legacy Series in 2023.

At each BPIR Texas Connection Series event, athletes will compete in 10 disciplines including: bareback/ranch bronc riding, ladies breakaway, bulldogging, calf roping, ladies steer undecorating, ladies barrel racing, bull riding, junior barrel racing, junior breakaway roping and relay racing.

In 2023 during a nine-month tour, the BPIR known as “The Greatest Show on Dirt” will hold 24 performances. In addition to Fort Worth, BPIR will travel to cities such as Denver, Colorado.; Memphis, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; Oakland, California; Los Angeles; Atlanta; and Las Vegas.  

BPIR’s mission is to educate audiences about the history of Blacks in the West, to validate that Black cowboys and cowgirls are real and continue to make significant contributions, and to educate audiences by showcasing the talents of current Black cowboys and cowgirls.

The 2023 BPIR season culminates in Washington, D.C./Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on September 22-23, with the BPIR National Rodeo Finals. To qualify for the BPIR National Rodeo Finals, competitors must compete in three rodeos from both the Texas Connection and Legacy Series. The Top 10 from both series will earn a berth to the 2023 BPIR National Rodeo Finals, where the 2023 BPIR Event champions and All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl will be crowned.

Each Texas Connection Series event will feature two performances, with the first held at 1:30 p.m. CT, followed by the second installment at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Tickets for the BPIR Texas Connect Series are on sale now, starting at $15, taxes and fees not included. They can be purchased at AXS.com or the Cowtown Coliseum Box Office.

For more information on Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, including the Texas Connection Series, visit http://billpickettrodeo.com/.