Over the next few months we will highlight and introduce the community to the hardworking team of board members and important volunteers who help make the Hood County Stampede work. First and foremost, meet our founders and reason the Hood County Stampede got its start.
Wes & Francie Stevenson
Meet the founders of the Hood County Stampede. Wes and Francie Stevenson. Wes and Francie are the husband and wife team who originated the concept of the Hood County Stampede in 2017.
They, along with their two kids, Fiona and Ward, moved to Granbury in 2016, from out west, after calling Lubbock home for many years. Wes had recently retired from a successful career as a 9x National Finals Rodeo (NFR) professional bareback riding qualifier.
Wes and Francie moved to Granbury to settle down and raise their family. In addition, Wes, along with a few partners, opened Dark Horse Metal Works, a welding and custom fabrication shop, located today on Old Granbury Rd.
Not long after settling in, Wes and Francie had a local friend whose four year old daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Seeing the hardships a diagnosis like this brought onto this family they felt moved to help.
In an effort to outreach to their new local community they ran into obstacles when asking for help. Local businesses wanted to step in and offer support, but many were limited on how much they could give without a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to give to. This challenge became the catalyst that put the wheels in motion to begin the Hood County Stampede.
Today, Wes and Francie raise bucking horses that are showcased at the Stampede each year. Wes will be inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in April 2024. Fiona is dedicated to martial arts, and tests for her black belt in April as well. While Ward is an avid fisherman who loves casting a line on the lake! The Stevensons enjoy seeing the families and community come out and support what they started.
"It is such a blessing to be able to share and utilize two things we are passionate about. Our love for rodeo and western lifestyle and our devotion to serving the needs of our community.”
-Wes & Francie Stevenson
Wes is the current president on the Hood County Stampede Board of Directors and Francie serves as the Sponsor Liaison and Diamonds & Denim Gala Committee Chair.
They are always happy to visit with you about the organizations, future plans and ways you can get involved.
Please feel free to send us a message at info@hoodcountystampede.com or discover ways you can help support the Hood County Stampede here.