08.22.2024

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101º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:57 a.m. | Sunset 8:05 p.m.
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🏇 Pony up

Fort Worth rodeo cowboy places third in the ‘world’s toughest’ horse race

A photo of a man riding a horse through water.

The riders have to cover up to 200 miles per day and may be in the saddle for 12 hours. | Kathy Gabriel

Ever heard of the Mongol Derby? Yeah, we hadn’t either. But one Fort Worthian gets to add completing it to his saddlebag. Local rodeo cowboy Josh Edwards finished third in the “world’s longest and toughest” horse race over the weekend.

Meet the Mongol Derby

The race was inspired by the ancient horse messenger system set up by Genghis Khan circa 1224. In the world’s first long-distance postal service, relay riders galloped from Kharkhorin, Mongolia to the Caspian Sea — think: a 2,500-mile Pony Express, but much more successful.

Continuing the legacy, the Mongol Derby is held over 10 days in August when daring riders from all over the world race 1,000K on semi-wild horses across the Mongolian steppe — which ranges from giant sand dunes to freezing mountain passes. They trade horses at stations called urtuus every 35K-40K.

Two people on horseback looking through a green valley with a river — The Mongol Derby crosses different terrains like steep mountain passes and sand dunes.
|
Photo by Richard Dunwoody/Flickr

Meet Josh Edwards

A lifetime horseman, Edwards was the 2023 PRCA Pickup Man of the Year — the person who assists the competitor in getting away from the bucking animal after their ride. He retired from the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in January after 25 years in the arena.

But a relaxed retirement wasn’t in the cards — on August 7, Edwards set out from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with 41 other riders. He completed the race in just nine days + was the only rider not from Australia to finish in the top five.

“My life is a competition, the derby was more of a competition with myself than about winning the race,” Edwards said. “You meet some great people, and you’re around a lot of different personalities, but there’s also a lot of solitude, and that was really what I was kind of desiring. After retiring it was about kind of finding what chapter two of my life is and to search for it in myself.”

Events

Thursday, Aug. 22

Foodie Tour | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 4:30 p.m. | The Biscuit Bar | $89 | Saddle up for Texas-sized tastings at three Stockyards restaurants.
PBR Stockyards Showcase | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Cowtown Coliseum | $55-$101 | Try not to hold your breath as daring riders attempt to hang on for eight seconds.

Friday, Aug. 23

Chicago And Earth, Wind & Fire | Friday, Aug. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena | $131-$800 | Attend this whirlwind show with the bands behind hits like “You’re the Inspiration” and “September.”
“North by Northwest” | Friday, Aug. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Palace Theatre | $6 | Catch a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s film about an advertising executive who’s on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by spies.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Fort Worth Taco & Margarita Fest | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 11 a.m. | Dickies Arena | $6-$79 | Dine on tacos + sip on margaritas while you enjoy local shopping, live pro wrestling, and kids activities.
Dallas Cowboys | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 3 p.m. | AT&T Stadium | $12-$168 | Cheer on the Cowboys in a preseason game against the LA Chargers before the regular season begins on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Thursday, Sept. 12

38th Annual GrapeFest | Thursday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 15 | Times vary | Grapevine | $5-$20 | Uncork some of the best vintages in Texas at the largest wine festival in the southwest.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Theater

Your carriage awaits at Bass Performance Hall

Prepare for an enchanting evening suitable for all audiences. | Photo provided by Texas Ballet Theater

What’s that old saying? Ah, yes — magic happens when you least expect it.

The Texas Ballet Theater is bringing the magic of this classic folk tale to center stage at Bass Performance Hall from Sept. 20 through Sept. 22.

Experience the timeless story of Cinderella finding her prince amidst a realm of fairy dust, glass slippers + comical stepsisters during this two-and-a-half-hour ballet adaptation set to a classical score.

Pro tip: Snag a season package for exclusive deals, behind-the-curtain experiences, and more.

Grab your glass slipper (and tickets)

News Notes

Weather

Tarrant County issued a burn ban on Tuesday that will run through the next 90 days due to severe drought conditions. Outdoor burning — save cooking, welding, and fire pits — requires approval from the Fire Marshal’s Office until mid-November.

Trending

Would you eat a burger with slices of pizza as the bun? AT&T Stadium unveiled its new concession items in advance of the Dallas Cowboys home opener with 22 menu items ranging from a pizza burger to a churro waffle to a Fritos ice cream sundae — yes, you read that right. (WFAA)

Coming Soon

North Carolina-based Duck Donuts is waddling toward Camp Bowie. The shop serving made-to-order fried creations with beach-themed flavors — like Bacon in the Sun and Piña Colada — will be the third location in Texas. (Paper City Magazine)

Opening

Cosm — an 87-ft LED dome — is set to open on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Grandscape in The Colony. Grab individual tickets or packages to see college football games, English Premier League soccer, the US Open, arts and educational programs + Cirque du Soleil at the dome.

Edu

City Council is considering a $4 million investment in the new UTA West campus in Parker County. The special economic development fund would go towards road and utility construction for the future campus. City Council will vote on the incentive on Tuesday, Aug. 27. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Civic

Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) plans to raise the water tax rate by 3.35% in its proposed 2025 budget. The increase would bump up revenue by $12.4 million, which would contribute to the construction of a canal system for Panther Island. TRWD will vote on the budget on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Fort Worth Report)

Sports

North Texas’ new pro soccer team Dallas Trinity FC kicked off its inaugural season over the weekend, but the team’s coach Pauline MacDonald wasn’t present. Get the scoop from WFAA digital journalist Paul B. Livengood II.

Listen

Reigning World Series MVP Corey Seager is bringing his best to the Texas Rangers. Local expert Brice Paterik has the 411 on the shortstop’s recent performance in Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Pro Tip

Instead of scrolling through social media while you sip your coffee, try reading 817 Biz. It’s a free newsletter that features no-snooze, bite-size business news from Tarrant County. Subscribe for free — and see it in your inbox on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.*

Health

Did you hear that? Most hearing aids have one processor. These bad boys have two. They process speech and noise separately, so speech gets clearer and crisper. No wonder 385,000+ customers love them.*

Eat

Looking to dine out this weekend? According to OpenTable, top-loved restaurants this month include Quince Riverside for food and 97 West Kitchen + Bar at Hotel Drover for ambience.*

Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services

Development

🏗️ Roll out the blueprints

$82 million development planned for South University Drive

The conceptual renderings show seven stories of apartments next to the existing Westbend development that look out onto the Trinity River.

The conceptual renderings show seven stories of apartments that look out onto the Trinity River. | Rendering courtesy of the City of Fort Worth

City Council is considering over $3 million in incentives for a new seven-story development along South University Drive. Local developer Trademark Property proposed the $81.6 million expansion of Westbend, set to be complete before August 2028.

The $53 million first phase of Westbend was completed in 2015. The second phase has the potential to add $65.7 million in taxable value to a currently empty, wedge-shaped parcel between South University Drive and the Clear Fork of the Trinity River.

What’s included?

300 units of multifamily housing
4,500 sqft of commercial space
A trailhead linking the complex to the Trinity Trails
Sidewalk improvements + bike repair station
Public art, landscaping + outdoor seating

City Council will vote on 10 annual grants — which total over $3 million and require Trademark Properties to hire business equity firms for 15% of the costs — on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Other ongoing developments

The Buy

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

TCU welcomed the Class of 2028 with over 2,400 freshmen at the beginning of the week.

That’s a pretty big jump from the original 13 students enrolled when the university was founded in 1873. We put our readers to the (history) test earlier this week + 21% scored a 100.

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