More than 40 equine therapy riders from Rosewood Ranch had the opportunity to show their horsemanship skills and abilities during the 12thAnnual Rosewood Rodeo, held at Great Bend Expo III Arena on Oct. 8. The riders participate in therapy throughout the year at Rosewood Ranch, which exists to help people with disabilities, and is located approximately five miles north of Pawnee Rock.
“The rodeo is a very special day for our riders, their families and friends,” said Rosewood Ranch manager Eric Hammond. “Because of the significance of what it represents to our riders and their families, we put a tremendous amount of effort into it every year. It was a great day all the way around this year, for all who participated and attended.”
Immediately following the rodeo, awards were presented. Keith Boyer earned the medal for “Best Cowboy Spirit;” Pam B. was named “Most Improved Rider,” and Crystal Alkire won the “Most Inspirational Leader” award. Ribbons were also presented to participants for Trails, Flags, and Barrel events. The clients competed in three levels, depending on their riding ability: rider with lead and side-walker, rider with lead, and independent rider. They received their special awards from Kansas Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles, who also provided the invocation during the Rodeo grand entry ceremony to begin the day’s events.
The clients who participated in the 12thAnnual Rosewood Rodeo were: Crystal Alkire, Pam B., Robin Bethel, Keith Boyer, Charles Bortz, Darren Brown, Jamie Crone, Vance Cornwell, Chris Devine, Jason Ehrentrout, Jonathan Folkerts, Amanda Galloway, Caitlyn Galloway, Rae Griffin, Shae Griffin, Taylor Hertach, Ashley Hullett, Jonathan Howe, Shaun Ledesma, Daniel Leroy, Jere McCutchen, Mary Minear, Rita Mestas, Samantha Purcell, Angie Rogers, Josh Radar, Andy Schultz, Dawn Specht, Abbie Stanley, Josh Trimmer, Melissa Trimmer, Debbie Wasinger, Trenton Welsch, Jimmy Wonsetler, and Lela Wright.
Rosewood’s youth riders, involved in the Children’s Horse Therapy Program, participated in a trail pattern event during the rodeo. At the end of each of their rides, the riders received a ribbon for their participation and they were photographed with their family members. Youth riders participating were: Kanye Cross, Italia DeTello, Derek Grabast, Logan Gregg, Ethan Harr, Kameryn Hembree, Greyson Hyde, Wesley Jones, Gentry Ramsey, and Landon Titsworth.
New to this year’s rodeo, high point and reserve awards were presented to Horse Show participants. The adult therapy riders were recognized in front of their peers and spectators for earning the most points in their respective categories during Horse Show Days at Rosewood Ranch throughout the spring and summer. Justice Biles awarded sashes to a dozen winners, representing three divisions in the categories of trail and horsemanship.
Other events throughout the day added to the rodeo experience. They included two performances by the award winning all-female Heartland Twisters riding drill team. The Day Services Team won the staff competition against the Residential and Administration Teams. A silent auction of items donated by local businesses was held to raise money, with proceeds from the auction going to Rosewood’s Roots and Wings Foundation. And a tack shop also provided items for sale, selling items made by Rosewood clients who work at Rosewood Studio. Games and activities entertained children throughout the day. The rodeo concluded with a celebration barbecue.
This year’s rodeo was made possible with the help of 14 sponsors. Major sponsors were: Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball; Alterna Care Home Health; Community Bank of the Midwest; Eagle Radio; Great Bend Appliance Furniture & Sleepsource; Heartland Homecare Services; Keller Real Estate & Insurance Agency; Kustom Floor Designs; Marmie Motors & Marmie Ford; Moeder Plumbing, Heating & Air; Office Products Inc. (OPI); and The Page American Bistro. Also contributing was Animal Medical Center, along with Eldridge Fencing.
Nearly 60 people helped at this year’s event, which was organized by the Rosewood Rodeo Committee, led by Rodeo chairman Anna Hammond-Bodine.
“It takes a multitude of people willing to offer hours of effort to pull off our rodeo,” said Rosewood Services executive director Tammy Hammond. “We owe thanks to everyone who helped to organize, prepare, work, sponsor, donate and attend this year’s rodeo. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the contestants as they proudly showed their skills, and the excitement they shared at the awards ceremony makes it worth every minute that it takes to prepare for this event. It was a day full of lasting memories.”
