Rosewood Rodeo turns 20 next month. The annual equine-therapy rodeo will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Barton County Fair Grounds Expo III Arena, located two miles west on 10th and Patton Road, Great Bend.
The event, which showcases horse riding abilities of people with developmental disabilities, originated in the fall of 2005 at the Indoor Riding Arena at Rosewood Ranch. Several years later, the event was moved to Expo III Arena, to accommodate the increased number of riders, family, employees and other spectators who traditionally participate in daylong fun activities.
During Rosewood Rodeo, the public is invited to come out and experience family-friendly fall fun. There is no admission charge.
The annual rodeo has grown into one of the most important days of the year for equine-therapy riders from Rosewood Services, who practice their riding skills at Rosewood Ranch on a weekly basis throughout the year. Rosewood Ranch is a full-working horse ranch near Pawnee Rock, where people with developmental disabilities learn to ride and care for approximately 75 horses.
“We’re very excited to be celebrating 20 years of Rodeo with our riders, families, friends and our community,” said Rosewood Services CEO Tammy Hammond. “The Rodeo’s longevity speaks to the success of our horse therapy program and to the commitment of the program by our highly-trained therapy staff, our riders, and their families. I am proud to say that the Rosewood Rodeo is two decades strong. What an amazing accomplishment for everyone involved.”
Rodeo-day fun includes children’s activities and games, a photo booth, and face painting. It’s a come-and-go event for spectators, so people can choose the times they wish to attend. Reasonably priced Chuck Wagon Concessions are also available, which includes a pulled pork lunch.
In between the day’s rodeo events, there are two performances by the all-female “The American Dream” horse riding drill team. “The American Dream” will perform at 10:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m., featuring different programs during each performance (All performance times are approximate.)
The 20th Annual Rosewood Rodeo’s grand entry and flag ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Then, throughout the day, therapeutic rodeo events will be held for Rosewood Services riders, including an event for children riders, followed by the award ceremony at approximately 3:30 p.m.
During the rodeo, the public can participate in a silent auction, where they can expect to find excellent deals on merchandise, with all bids closing at 3 p.m. Proceeds from the auction go to Rosewood’s non-profit Roots & Wings Foundation. The foundation provides therapeutic, medical, educational and recreational opportunities to people in need, who have developmental disabilities.
Plan to attend any or all of the day’s events while browsing tack-shop merchandise, which will be available throughout the day.
Events slated for this year’s Rosewood Rodeo include: Kids’ Games and Activities, including face painting; “The American Dream” Drill Team Performances; Tack Shop with Novelties and Rosewood Client-made items; photo booth; silent auction; Chuck Wagon Concessions; three rodeo events by Rosewood Services Adult Riders; one rodeo Eevent by Rosewood Services Children Riders; staff races; Award Ceremony for rodeo participants
Sponsors of this year’s Rosewood Rodeo are: Great Bend Appliance, Furniture & Sleep Source; Heartland Homecare Services; Kustom Floor Designs; Marmie Auto Group; Moeder Plumbing, Heating & Air; Rosencrantz-Bemis Enterprises; Adams Brown Strategic Allies and CPAs; AlternaCare Home Medical Equipment; Animal Medical Center; Keller Real Estate and Insurance Agency; Miller Lawns; MPIRE Properties; Office Products Inc.; Peoples Bank & Trust; University of Kansas Health System Great Bend; Wheatland Electric; Price and Sons Construction; and Silverado Electric.
