As Rosewood Services is celebrating its silver anniversary, the agency is also hosting its 19th Annual Rosewood Rodeo. The annual equine-therapy rodeo will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Great Bend Expo III Arena, located at Barton County Fairground, two miles west on 10th and Patton Road.
Throughout the Rosewood Rodeo, the public is invited to come out and experience family-friendly fall fun. There is no admission charge.
The annual rodeo is 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 started our Rosewood Equine Therapy Program only a few years after we opened our agency, because we recognized the vital role it could play in the development of dozens of our clients,” said Tammy Hammond, Executive Director of Rosewood Services. “Our annual rodeo soon followed and it’s become a date that many of us circle on our calendars every year; we won’t ever miss this special day. We invite everyone to come out and experience the fun, and see why this event is so special for so many connected with the program.”
Rodeo-day fun includes children’s activities and games, and face painting. If weather permits, horse-drawn wagon rides around the fairground will also be available. 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 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 two different programs during each performance (All performance times are approximate.)
The 19th 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.
Below is a listing of events slated for this year’s Rosewood Rodeo:
• Kids’ Games and Activities, including Face Painting
• Horse Drawn Wagon Rides (weather permitting)
• “The American Dream” Drill Team Performances
•Tack Shop with Novelties and Rosewood Client-Made Items
• Silent Auction
• Chuck Wagon Concessions
• Three Rodeo Events by Rosewood Services Adult Riders
• One Rodeo Event by Rosewood Services Children Riders
• Staff Races
• Award Ceremony for Rodeo Participants
