‘Surprise Squad’ Helps Fuel Houston Rodeo Trail Riders

It’s rodeo season in Houston, y’all! Like most of us, the ‘Surprise Squad’, which includes our Xfinity technicians, is ready for the rodeo. Recently, the group surprised one the oldest African-American trail riders in the country with breakfast, ahead of their 80 mile journey to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Take a look!

Xfinity technicians Jermaine Baldwin and Arturo Gonzales saddled up their work trucks early Sunday morning to bring more than 400 trail riders coffee, donuts, kolaches and more to help fuel the riders.

“Everybody was happy, grateful that we’re out here. It feels good that we’re giving back,” Sr. Xfinity technician Arturo Gonzales said. “We’re just trying to make our presence known in this community that we’re going to be expanding our coverage to.”

Myrtis Dightman, Jr. is the trail boss for the Prairie View Trail Riders. He said the riders typically don’t have time to eat in the morning, and he was grateful Xfinity chose their group for the warm gesture. The organization has been around since 1957.

“Prairie View Trail Riders is a non-profit corporation. Our goal is to educate the youth of America,” Dightman said.

Following the surprise in Hempstead, the riders traveled to Prairie View, Cypress and finally made their way to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. 

Comcast, which powers Xfinity and Comcast Business, began expanding its fiber-rich network to Hempstead in late 2023.