Houstonians saddled up in style for the 25th annual Trailblazer Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show, where more than 2,100 attendees elevated the Hilton Americas-Houston into a sparkling canvas of color with a touch of Western charm. From boldly hued ensembles to classic cowboy hats atop sharp suits, guests took to heart the Paint the Town Trailblazer theme with panache, filling the fourth-floor ballroom to the brim on February 7.
The luncheon, a stalwart tradition of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, honored six women whose dedication to the rodeo spans a collective 159 years. Cheers and applause echoed through the room as honorees Beth Bricoe, Christy Stern, Lisa Schutzenhofer, Michelle Verbois, Rainey Janke, and Teresa Jordan were lauded for their volunteerism and giving spirit.
The runway lit up with eye-catching designs during the Saks Fifth Avenue fashion show produced by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz Bonar. Overhead LED screens and multicolored light tubes, courtesy of Stage Directions, amplified the spectacle, while décor by Let It Fly, Round Top Collection, and RL Designs provided a vibrant mise en scène.
The affair didn’t end with the final runway walk — the after-party kept the energy alive as more than 1,000 guests danced into the late afternoon, thanks to beats by DJ Johnny Bravo.
The event also highlighted the committee’s impact on education and literacy through programs like Rodeo ROPES (Reading Opens the Path to Education Success) and SPURS (Students Pursuing Unlimited Reading and Writing Success). Over the past 11 years, ROPES has collected 620,000 children’s books from more than 65 Rodeo committees, distributing them to underserved schools via Books Between Kids. SPURS, meanwhile, fosters young writers through competitions and weekend storytime sessions on Rodeo grounds.
The program, hosted by KHOU’s Mia Gradney and Len Cannon, featured remarks from Rodeo Board Chairman Pat Mann Phillips, Trailblazer Officer in Charge Wendy Lewis Armstrong, and Trailblazer Chairman Ann Massey, with an invocation by president and CEO Chris Bolen. The committee recognized Armstrong warmly as she wrapped up her final year as officer in charge.
Among the many cowboys and cowgirls were Kirby Lodholz, Katie Clapp, Lisa Blackwood, Amy White, Courtney Adame, Susannah Causey, Tabbetha Lopez, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Julie and Alan Kent, Isela and Juan Garcia, Cinthya Reade, Gretchen Gilliam, Kelly Larkin, Linda and Jim Winne, Jennifer Van Matre, Jamie Grissom, Jill Watson, Kristen Cannon, Diedra and Terrance Fontaine, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Sharleen Walkoviak, Preston Hall, Michelle Maresh, Bridgette and John Grimes, Gigi Mayorga-Wark, Debi Gan, Sandra Cook, Cindy Seligman, Lesha Elsenbrook, Angela Hernandez, Vicki Luna, Crystal Maxwell, Cookie Michael, Shelley Boyer, Heather Kolos, Sally Flores, Debbie Festari, Brigitte Kalai, Poujol, Kathleen and Tom Mach, and Robin Young-Ellis.
