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Rosewood Rodeo Happens Oct. 7

Enjoy Free Fall Family Entertainment at Barton County Fair Expo III Indoor Arena

Barrel of Fun - Rosewood Rodeo participant Mary Minear competes in “Barrels and Horsemanship” with her favorite horse, Harriet, during last year’s Rosewood Rodeo. Minear has ridden in every Rosewood Rodeo, only missing 2020-21, when the rodeo was on hiatus. She is among 36 horse-therapy riders scheduled to showcase their horsemanship skills in this year’s rodeo.

As Rosewood Services is celebrating its silver anniversary, the agency is also proudly hosting its 19th Annual Rosewood Rodeo. The annual equine-therapy rodeo will take place Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Great Bend Expo Complex – Barton County Fair Expo III Indoor Arena, 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. 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.

Auction Deals - Attendees view silent auction items during last year’s Rosewood Rodeo. The silent auction annually provides a fun opportunity to purchase quality items at under market value. Proceeds from the sale of the items, which are donated by community businesses, go directly to Rosewood Roots and Wings Foundation, committed to helping to fund endeavors for people with developmental disabilities. This year’s auction has more than 40 items provided by community members and businesses.

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:
Family Fun! Free Admittance!
● Kids’ Games and Activities, including Face Painting
● “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

Sponsors of this year's Rosewood Rodeo are: Great Bend Appliance, Furniture & Sleep Source; Kustom Floor Designs; 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; Marmie Auto Group; Office Products Inc.; Peoples Bank & Trust; University of Kansas Health System Great Bend; Wheatland Electric; Zip Stop Inc.; Heartland Homecare Services; and Mark’s Custom Signs.

-RW-

Find more about Rosewood Services online, RosewoodServices.com

Follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RosewoodServices/

For more information, contact Michael Dawes, Director of PR, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com, 620-792-2536

September 19, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com