The Rosewood Rodeo turns a decade old this month. The annual 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 Great Bend Expo III, to accommodate the increased number of riders, family and other spectators who traditionally participate in daylong activities.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been 10 years since we started this fun event for our riders and their families, but here we are,” said Rosewood Services executive director and founder Tammy Hammond. “The rodeo’s longevity speaks to the success of our horse therapy program and to the commitment of the program by our therapy staff, our riders, and their families. I am proud to say that the Rosewood Rodeo is a decade strong.”

Once again, Great Bend Expo III Arena will be filled with Rosewood Rodeo family fun Saturday, Oct. 11. The public is invited to attend the free event where they can enjoy wagon rides, a free photo booth, children’s activities, face painting, Randy the Clown and other fun activities. Concessions are available during the rodeo. And for $5 each, people are invited to stay for a celebration barbecue dinner at 5 p.m., catered by Famous Hammond Brothers BBQ.

The Rodeo includes a silent auction with more than 30 items up for bidding. Proceeds from the silent auction go to Rosewood’s non-profit Roots & Wings Foundation. The foundation provides therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities to people in need who have developmental disabilities.

A tack shop full of products made by clients at Rosewood Studio through the year will be open for people to purchase unique and interesting items at reasonable prices. Items include jewelry, candles, pottery, and bath products, all at special rodeo prices.

“We invite family, friends and everyone who wishes to attend this milestone event to come, even if it’s just for a short time,” said Hammond. “The community has been supportive of our therapeutic riding program over the years; we want to share in our celebration with folks.”

Rodeo grand entry is scheduled for 10 a.m. Three therapeutic rodeo events will be held for Rosewood Services riders, followed by an award ceremony at approximately 4 p.m.

Additional events are slated for the afternoon session. The Rosewood Drill Team, comprised of six Rosewood horse riders, will perform to a medley of songs on horseback. Rosewood children riders will be recognized in a special celebration. And Rosewood employees will engage in a fun competition between the different departments of Residential, Day Services and Administration.

It takes a tremendous amount of effort to keep an event going strong for a decade, from organizers and volunteers, to Rodeo sponsors, who help fund the cost of the rodeo as well as provide proceeds to the Roots & Wings Foundation. Approximately three-dozen organizers and volunteers typically help with the rodeo. More than a dozen sponsors contributed to this year’s event. And nearly 30 local businesses and individuals have provided merchandise for the rodeo’s silent auction.

Major sponsors are: Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball; Alterna Care Home Health; Community Bank of the Midwest; Eagle Radio; Great Bend Appliance Furniture & Sleepsource; Keller Real Estate & Insurance Agency; Kustom Floor Designs; Marmie Motors & Marmie Ford; Moeder Plumbing, Heating & Air; Office Products Inc. (OPI); P&S Security/P&S Electric; Walmart Supercenter – Great Bend. Also contributing is Animal Medical Center.

“I’m amazed at the support we receive for our annual rodeo,” said Hammond. “We could not pull off an event of this magnitude without the efforts of our organizers, volunteers and contributors. We certainly couldn’t have done it for a whole decade.”

“The results we’ve achieved have been worth every second of work,” she continued. “The most gratifying experience is seeing the positive impact that our collective efforts have on Rosewood riders and their family members. That experience is priceless every year and it never grows old.”