RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Monument Health Special Rodeo is an event for children and adults with disabilities and is held annually during the Central States Fair in the James Kjerstad Event Center.
This is the third Special Rodeo event put on by Monument Health in the last year. The rodeo, set for Saturday, August 26, 2023, provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to take part in various rodeo activities.
Participants are invited to come enjoy rodeo activities that are accommodating to individuals with disabilities of all ages. Each participant will be partnered with a “rodeo buddy” to assist during the rodeo.
New to the rodeo is a separate sensory area that will offer a calm environment along with sensory activities.
Ronda Neugebauer, outreach liaison at Monument Health says, “It’s an exciting event for both children and adults with different ability levels. They get to come out, they basically get to be a cowboy for a day, they come out to a rodeo and there are a multitude of events that they can be a part of.”
Events include: horseback rides (therapy horses from Suncatchers provided), stick horse barrel races, roping, goat ribbon pull, miniature horse painting, and other animals to pet.
Amy Morrill, RN, pediatric nurse clinician at Monument Health says, “If you are a family member of a kiddo who wants to participate in the rodeo, we would love for you to come along and just be alongside their little buddy. A big thing that they really want this year are cheerleaders, and so if you want to just come and cheer the kids on as they go through their events, that would be awesome.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10 a.m. – Doors & registration open
10:30 a.m. – Special Rodeo (Activities include: Riding and non-riding events)
12-1 p.m. – Lunch for participants, their families and volunteers
DETAILS:
*Event is FREE.
*Each participant and volunteer will receive a t-shirt.
*Each participant will receive a trophy buckle.
*This event is open to all individuals with disabilities.
*Walkers and wheelchairs are allowed in the arena.
*Please wear tennis shoes or boots (no open toed shoes, flip flops, sandals, etc.).
See more at the Monument Health website.
