HCC staff member saddles up for Rodeo Houston

Mar 9, 2016

Alex Prince has been working at Houston Community College (HCC) in various roles for 44 years, but he’s really just a cowboy at heart. Prince is Director of Auxiliary Services/Building Operations at the West Loop Campus. However, every February, he trades in his suit and tie for a cowboy hat and boots, and assumes the duties of Trail Boss for the Southwest Trail Riders.

“35 years is a long time to be doing something, but when it’s something you love times flies by,” Prince said.

His love for horses started by pure accident, thanks to his twin brother and as they say, the rest is history. Prince never dreamed he’d be one of four African-American Trail Bosses on the 2016 Rodeo Houston Trail Rides. These rides are steeped in tradition and are considered an honor to participate.

Prince credits his long HCC career as a manager for helping him assume his role as Trail Boss. He uses skills such as time management, organization and communicating clearly and quickly during each trot his horse makes during the seven-day trail ride, which starts in Richmond/Rosenberg, and makes its way into Houston via Market Road 521. The trail ride concludes as they roll into town up Kirby Avenue on Go Texan Day.

When the Southwest Trail Ride wraps up each year, Prince goes back to his day job knowing when his work is done at HCC, he can head out to the stable and get back in the saddle again.