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Rosewood Brings Free Fall Fun to Barton County Fair Grounds Oct. 3rd

Poise In The Saddle – Shaun Ledesma guides his horse, “Jordan,” through the trail pattern event at last October’s Rosewood Rodeo, held at the Barton County Fair Grounds Expo III Arena. Watching his ride was Rosewood Equine Therapy Instructor and Ranch Manager Eric Hammond. The 2025 event marked Ledesma’s 18th Rodeo. An accomplished rider, he earned a national championship at the NSBA World Show in Tulsa, Okla., in 2014.

Rodeo Season Returns

The 22nd Annual Rosewood Rodeo returns Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Barton County Fair Grounds Expo III Arena, located two miles west of 10th and Patton Road, Great Bend. The community is invited to enjoy a full day of free, family‑friendly fall fun—no admission required.

The rodeo is a cherished annual highlight for equine‑therapy riders from Rosewood Services, who spend the year developing their horsemanship skills at Rosewood Ranch, a full‑working horse ranch near Pawnee Rock. At the ranch, children and adults with developmental disabilities learn to ride and care for horses, gaining confidence, independence, and joy through hands‑on experience.

“This is absolutely our favorite time of the year,” said Rosewood CEO Tammy Hammond. “The change in season brings the return of our Rosewood Rodeo, where our equine‑therapy riders proudly show what they’ve learned throughout the year. It’s a day filled with joy for riders and heartfelt experiences for the families, friends, and staff who come out to cheer them on.”

Spectators can come and go throughout the day and enjoy a variety of activities, including children’s games and face painting. Chuck Wagon Concessions will offer reasonably priced meals, including a pulled‑pork lunch.

The American Freedom Riders horse‑riding drill team will perform twice—at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — with each show featuring a different program. (Performance times are approximate.)

The rodeo’s Grand Entry and Flag Ceremony begins at 10 a.m., followed by therapeutic riding events for Rosewood riders throughout the day that includes a special event for children riders. An award ceremony, scheduled for approximately 3 p.m., will close out the rodeo.

During the rodeo, attendees can participate in a silent auction, featuring high‑quality merchandise and excellent deals. All bids close at 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit Rosewood’s nonprofit Roots & Wings Foundation, which provides therapeutic, medical, educational, and recreational support for people with 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 Fall Fun! Free Admittance!
● Kids’ Games and Activities, including Face Painting
● “American Freedom Riders” Drill Team Performances
● Tack Shop with Novelties and Rosewood Client-Made Items
● Silent Auction
● Chuck Wagon Concessions
● Two Rodeo Events by Rosewood Services Adult Riders
● One Rodeo Event by Rosewood Services Children Riders
● Staff and Kids’ Races
● Award Ceremony for Rodeo Participants

Sponsors of this year's Rosewood Rodeo are: Great Bend Appliance Furniture & Sleep Source; Great Bend Tribune; Heartland Homecare Services/Tarrytown Expo Care; Kustom Floor Designs; Moeder Plumbing, Heating & Air; Office Products Inc.; 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; Miller Lawns; MPIRE Properties; Peoples Bank & Trust; Stone Sand Co.; University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend; Wheatland Electric; Zip Stop Inc.; and Price & Sons Construction. 

-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 15, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com