Santa Rosa Rodeo Grounds in Vernon, Texas - a true Texas Legacy

Other Properties for Sale 100 acres Foard County

The infamous Santa Rosa Rodeo Arena and former home of Poco Bueno is currently for sale. Just a few miles south of the town of Vernon off of Hwy 283 lies an unmistakable landmark in north Texas - the Santa Rosa. Constructed in 1945-1946 by the late E. Paul Waggoner, an heir to the 520,000 acre ranch by the same family name, these grand facilities were built first class all the way, no expenses spared. 

Click on the link below to view photos of this amazing facility.
http://www.santarosaarena.com/Gallery/index.html

Email rivercreeklandsales@hotmail.com for more information

Situated in the middle of the 90+ acre tract is a 300' x 150' outdoor lighted rodeo arena. It is here that Mr. Waggoner founded the Santa Rosa Roundup, a four-day event that still continues to this day. To seat the many people that came to these rodeos (sometimes as many as 7,500), Mr. Waggoner brought in the grandstands from the Arlington Down Race Track, which had a seating capacity of 4,700. The grandstands are separated into basically two areas; reserved box seats are on the lower level, and general admission seating is above. Five other bleachers were added too, which have the capacity to hold another 3,000 people.

In addition to the grandstands and bleachers, three elevated buildings surround the arena - a 10' x 20' bandstand, a 14' x 24' announcer's booth, and large private owner's box, traditionally called the "Crow's Nest". Both the announcer's booth and the Crow's Nest have private bathrooms. The Crow's Nest has a wrap-around 4' metal porch as well and a great view of the arena below.

Underneath the grandstands is a concession stand area, and just to the west is a recently constructed bathroom facility. There are ten bucking chutes underneath the announcer's booth on the north side, and roping chutes are underneath the bandstand on the west. Several lots are connected to the arena on the east side, where livestock can be easily moved in and out of the arena.
 
The rodeo grounds are surrounded by an 8' chain link fence, and there are two ticket booths on its perimeter. Two large gated entrances greet the spectators as they enter the grounds.

North of the rodeo grounds, Mr. Waggoner built his stud barn and horse stalls. These facilities are truly top of the line. The stud barn houses approximately 20 stalls, with concrete floors and built-in drains. Within the building is a newly remodeled, 1,100 sq ft 1BD/1BTH apartment, with separate living area, perfect for a weekend stay. This apartment has stained concrete floors, barn wood molding, and a newly tiled bathroom. There are also two offices in the building. A screened-in porch provides a walkway from the apartment to the offices.

Next to the stud barn is the breeding barn/vet clinic. This cinderblock building has everything a breeding facility could need, such as a separate lab area, mounting dummy, stalls, etc. There is plenty of built-in storage here too, for medicines and supplies. The entire building has over 3,000 sq ft of space.

Behind the stud barn and vet clinic are several pipe-fence corrals and pens. These lead back to two long, covered horse pens. The larger of these has 18 stalls and measures 36' x 304'. The other has 9 stalls and measures 23' x 180'. These pens are on the edge of a 45 acre wheat field, excellent for grazing horses and rodeo stock. This field would also be an ideal place to put in a landing strip, if the new owner wanted to fly directly to the ranch.

West of the rodeo grounds is a 28,000 sq ft, fully covered riding arena. This large metal building is great for working horses in the winter months. During the Santa Rosa Roundup, it doubles as a dance floor. There is a band stage on the far west side, and a concession area near the entrance on the east.

The Santa Rosa has several more buildings on the property. One, a 4,000 sq ft metal Quonset barn, sits next to the covered arena and has 18 additional horse stalls. There is a 4,000 sq ft metal hay barn too, which has ventilation ducts and metal rafters. A round, concrete grain bin is located near the stud barn, which could be used for stacking feed sacks or storing bulk grain. On the south side of the property, there is an older 3BD/2BTH house, which is in need of some repair. This house would be suitable for a full-time ranch hand or general manager.

The Santa Rosa has been home to several famous studs in its time, the most notable being Poco Bueno, Mr. Waggoner's legendary quarter horse. In 1954, Mr. Waggoner built Poco Bueno his own private pen at the Santa Rosa, which included a large water vat for soaking his feet. This pen is still part of the Santa Rosa today, standing as a memoir of the champion sire.

Other famous horses of the Santa Rosa include those of the world-renowned Santa Rosa Palomino Club, which make their home there. This non-professional riding club has been honored as the official “Ambassadors on Horseback” for the State of Texas and hosts the Santa Rosa Roundup each spring. The Palomino Club's headquarters is located on the east boundary of the property and has two gated entrances and a 14' x 245' horse barn, with 6 storage sheds and 13 stalls.

The Santa Rosa would be an ideal investment for the horse breeder or hobbyist. It offers a substantial amount of depreciable assets and the opportunity for additional write-offs through improving or adding on to the existing facilities. There is currently a tenant running a breeding program from the ranch, who will stay on for the new owner if desired. This will provide an income on the property and ensure that the grounds and facilities are kept up for an absentee owner.

The Santa Rosa is a unique find, complete with a long, rich history and a quality set-up to be compared with any equine property. The deed has traded hands only five times over the last 60 years and is now being offered for sale again. This is your chance to join the legacy!

Asking Price: $498,000