For more than 75 years, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has remained committed to developing the youth of Texas through agriculture, education, and western heritage. While our impact reaches communities across the state, we are equally dedicated to strengthening the community we call home.

Through year-round outreach initiatives, educational programs, and hands-on experiences, we are creating meaningful opportunities for youth and families—particularly on San Antonio’s East Side near our campus. From agricultural education and leadership development to accessibility and enrichment programs, our mission extends far beyond the annual Rodeo each February.

Together, these efforts reinforce our role as a year-round community partner dedicated to inspiring future generations and preserving the values that define Texas.

The East Arena is a key part of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s commitment to serving San Antonio’s East Side through year-round youth and community programming, like Connecting Compton in Compton, California, the facility provides hands-on agricultural and equestrian experiences designed to be a gateway to opportunities the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo offers.

Home to youth riding programs, Ag Outreach Days, and future 4-H opportunities, the East Arena creates meaningful connections between western heritage, education, and community engagement; extending the Rodeo’s mission far beyond the annual event.

Ag Outreach Days introduce local students to the world of agriculture through interactive, hands-on learning experiences at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo grounds. Designed to spark curiosity and expand awareness of agriculture’s impact on everyday life, the program connects youth with livestock, farming, western heritage, and career opportunities within the industry.

By providing engaging educational experiences outside the classroom, Ag Outreach Days help inspire the next generation while strengthening the Rodeo’s commitment to youth development and community engagement year-round.

The Vaquero 4-H Club is designed to provide youth with opportunities to develop leadership, responsibility, and life skills through agriculture and western heritage programs. Hosted through the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s East Arena initiative, the club introduces participants to hands-on learning experiences involving livestock, horsemanship, community service, and agricultural education.

By creating accessible opportunities for local youth to engage in 4-H programming, the Vaquero 4-H Club helps foster confidence, mentorship, and personal growth while strengthening connections between the community and Texas agricultural traditions.

The Youth Riding Program is a volunteer-led, hands-on introduction to horses and ranch life, which takes place at our East Arena.

Designed as a 10-week session, the program emphasizes both horsemanship skills and character development. Participants progress from basic horse anatomy and care to groundwork, riding patterns, and applying learned skills in the saddle.

Each weekly session incorporates character pillars that mirror the values we practice in our professional and volunteer environments, such as responsibility, teamwork, leadership, ownership, and remaining fluid.