Ryan Wasaff

DESPERADOS, DENIM, AND DEVOTION Family, grit, and legacy define The Desperados wagon group who have taken to the Salt Grass Trail for decades, making their way to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Some members, from left: Rene Bennett, Bridey Flood, Ryan Wasaff, Cindi Proler, McGuire Flood, Maren Flood, and Callan Flood. The Flood siblings are Bennett’s children. (Photograph taken at the property of Malcolm Morris, a friend of the Bennett family.) (Photo: hartphoto.com)

JACKETS DO THE TALKING Members of The Desperados wagon group were the first on the Salt Grass Trail to don matching attire decades ago. Their Desperados Wanted jackets logo was designed by former member Pam Francis, a beloved family member and well-known photographer, now deceased, who shot portraits of presidents and movie stars. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

Cousins Ryan Wasaff, Cindi Proler, and Rene Bennett co-own The Desperados wagon with elder cousin Margaret Jo Byron (not pictured), who won most experienced female rider on the Salt Grass trail last year. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

The group’s old wagon is pioneer eye candy for crowds cheering on The Desperados. Pictured, from left: Ryan Proler, David Shofner, Elizabeth Patton, Joanne Wilson Shofner, Preston Proler, Margaret Jo Byron, Rene Bennett, Ryan Wasaff, Rachael Bennett, Archie Bennett III, Logan Niscavits, Mandy Bennett Niscavits, Cecilia Herdeg, Joe Niscavits, and Maren Flood.  

The Desperados wagon is co-owned by Rene Bennett and three of her cousins, who together purchased it after Rene’s mother Beverly Wilson Bennett Smith passed away in 2022. Beverly, one of the founders of the Desperados, was known for being the first female “wagon boss” in the Salt Grass Trail Ride. Pictured are (from left) Ryan Proler, David Shofner, Elizabeth Patton, Joanne Wilson Shofner, Preston Proler, Margaret Jo Byron, Rene Bennett, Ryan Wasaff, Rachael Bennett, Archie Bennett III, Logan Niscavits, Mandy Bennett Niscavits, Cecilia Herdeg, Joe Niscavits, and Maren Flood. (Photo: Eli Luke)