In April 1959, thirteen men met at the home of local lawyer, Leighton Cornett to discuss the possibility of forming a rodeo club in order to hold playdays, ropings, and rodeos. Some of those men were: Jack Maddox, Shorty Crump, Tommy Melton, Leighton Cornett, M.D. Emerson, Jim Sammons, Claude Gambill, Roy Glenn, Roy (Runt) Owings, Lloyd Caviness, and James Hutchinson.

The first rodeo was held in August 1959. At the present site, the arena with 5,500 seats was built by Mr. Davis of St. Louis, MO. J.B. Taylor furnished trucks to haul the metal pipes from the Talco oil fields. Also, one concession stand was utilized and rest rooms were built.

After that first year, improvements continued to be made. In 1962, the clubhouse was built. This arena became known as one of the best in northeast Texas for hosting playdays, ropings, drill team practice, cutting horse events, and Saturday night rides.

Of the fifteen men who met to organize the Paris Rodeo and Horse Club, only three members are still living. They are Roy (Runt) Owings, Jack Maddox, and James Hutchinson. Next year, 2008, will mark the 49th Annual Paris Rodeo and Horse Club Rodeo!