Belize Beef Fest & Rodeo 2025: A Celebration of Horses and Cowboy Culture
On August 16, 2025, the Belize Livestock Producers’ Association (BLPA) hosted the annual Beef Fest & Rodeo at the National Agriculture Showgrounds in Belmopan.
While the grilling competitions and livestock displays drew big crowds, the heart of the day was in the rodeo ring — where horses, cowboys, and ranch families celebrated a side of Belize many visitors never see.
🐴 The Rodeo: Horses at the Center
At the Beef Fest rodeo, horses were the true stars:
- Barrel racing showed speed and precision as riders leaned into sharp turns.
- Bronco riding tested the balance and grit of Belize’s young cowboys.
- Roping competitions echoed ranch life, where catching cattle on horseback is still part of the job.
It was more than sport — it was a living tradition that connected modern Belize to its ranching roots.
🤠 Cowboy Culture in Belize
Belize may not be the first place travelers think of when it comes to cowboy culture, but it has always been here.
- Mestizo vaqueros brought horsemanship from across the Yucatán.
- Creole ranchers adopted horses for farm and field work.
- Mennonite farmers continue to use horses for ranching and agriculture today.
The Beef Fest & Rodeo brings all of that together — a cultural mashup of Belizean voices, food stalls, and horse-riding traditions.
🐎 Horses Beyond the Rodeo: Tourism Connection
For travelers, the rodeo highlights that horses are not just part of Belize’s past — they’re also part of its present.
- Horseback riding tours to Xunantunich and through the Cayo District let visitors experience that same cowboy culture at a slower, family-friendly pace.
- Trails through farmland and jungle connect tourists to the same horse traditions celebrated at the rodeo.
This is why the Beef Fest matters: it’s not only about beef or barbecue — it shows that horseback culture is alive and welcoming in Belize.
🍖 Food, Family, and Festival Energy
Of course, no Belizean festival is complete without food. The Beef Fest featured grilling competitions with beef, pork, and lamb — alongside tortillas, plantains, and local flavors that made it more than just a rodeo.
Families came out in droves, children cheered the riders, and the fairground atmosphere made it a true community celebration.
🌿 Why It Matters
The Beef Fest & Rodeo is more than an event. It’s a reminder that Belize is a country of many faces:
- Reef and ruins.
- Rivers and mountains.
- And yes — horses, cowboys, and rodeo rings.
For travelers, it’s another way to see Belize authentically — not staged for tourism, but lived by Belizeans themselves.
