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A heartwarming story of compassion and community began to take shape nearly three decades ago. It all started with Fran McLaughlin, a dedicated member of the Silver Spurs Riding Club, whose journey was inspired by a deep love for her child with special needs and a desire to share the joy of rodeo with kids just like him.
Fran's dream was simple yet profound: she wanted her child to experience the same thrill and excitement that lit up the faces of other kids attending the rodeo. She envisioned a world where all children, regardless of their unique needs, could revel in the fun and adventure that the rodeo had to offer. With boundless determination, Fran decided to turn this dream into a reality and created an event exclusively for children with special needs. She aptly named it the "Special Rodeo."
For two decades, the Special Rodeo found its home at the "old" Silver Spurs Arena, a place now steeped in nostalgia and cherished memories. Year after year, children with special needs and their families gathered here to create unforgettable moments. The only interruption to this heartwarming tradition occurred during the few years when the old arena was torn down to make way for the new Silver Spurs Arena. But as they say, the spirit of the rodeo is as unyielding as a bull in the chute, and it was only a matter of time before the Special Rodeo would rise again.
With the completion of the new arena, two dedicated Silver Spurs Riding Club members, Bridget Coggins and Sara Berlinksy, stepped into the arena of responsibility. Their mission was clear: to continue the legacy of the Special Rodeo and ensure that its heartfelt mission endured for generations to come.
Today, this heartwarming tradition continues to thrive. Each February, before the Sunday afternoon rodeo performance, a remarkable spectacle unfolds. The Silver Spurs Club members, along with volunteers, rodeo contestants, rodeo queens hailing from every corner of the nation, and community leaders, all come together to lend their hearts and hands to this extraordinary event.
The Special Rodeo is a treasure trove of laughter, camaraderie, and cowboy spirit, generously sprinkled with kid-friendly, rodeo-themed games and activities. The Silver Spurs Club extends a warm invitation to special needs children and their families, with valuable support from the Osceola County School District.
As the children step into the arena, they're greeted with open arms and a special goody bag. Inside, they discover a bandanna, a Special Rodeo shirt, a straw cowboy hat, and a Justin Boots back number. These tokens of the rodeo are their badges of honor, setting the stage for an adventure like no other.
Before the merriment kicks off, each child is paired with their very own rodeo buddy. These rodeo buddies, often Silver Spurs Riding Club members or volunteers, are more than just guides; together, they explore the different stations throughout the arena, ensuring that every child has a front-row seat to the excitement.
Each year, the Special Rodeo offers a magical array of activities that would make any cowboy or cowgirl's heart skip a beat. Picture this: real horseback riding, a thrilling ride on a fake rocking bull, a chance to climb inside a rodeo clown's barrel, roping a steer dummy, sitting atop the iconic Silver Spurs Blue Boot, striking a pose with a rodeo queen, gentle moments with cows and sheep, and even an opportunity to explore the inside of a SWAT truck.
As the day ends, a heartwarming and thrilling moment arrives. The arena comes alive with cheers and applause as the announcer declares each child a winner. They proudly receive a coveted Silver Spurs Rodeo trophy, a symbol of their courage, spirit, and the love that surrounds them.
A heartwarming story of compassion and community began to take shape nearly three decades ago. It all started with Fran McLaughlin, a dedicated member of the Silver Spurs Riding Club, whose journey was inspired by a deep love for her child with special needs and a desire to share the joy of rodeo with kids just like him.
Fran's dream was simple yet profound: she wanted her child to experience the same thrill and excitement that lit up the faces of other kids attending the rodeo. She envisioned a world where all children, regardless of their unique needs, could revel in the fun and adventure that the rodeo had to offer. With boundless determination, Fran decided to turn this dream into a reality and created an event exclusively for children with special needs. She aptly named it the "Special Rodeo."
For two decades, the Special Rodeo found its home at the "old" Silver Spurs Arena, a place now steeped in nostalgia and cherished memories. Year after year, children with special needs and their families gathered here to create unforgettable moments. The only interruption to this heartwarming tradition occurred during the few years when the old arena was torn down to make way for the new Silver Spurs Arena. But as they say, the spirit of the rodeo is as unyielding as a bull in the chute, and it was only a matter of time before the Special Rodeo would rise again.
With the completion of the new arena, two dedicated Silver Spurs Riding Club members, Bridget Coggins and Sara Berlinksy, stepped into the arena of responsibility. Their mission was clear: to continue the legacy of the Special Rodeo and ensure that its heartfelt mission endured for generations to come.
Today, this heartwarming tradition continues to thrive. Each February, before the Sunday afternoon rodeo performance, a remarkable spectacle unfolds. The Silver Spurs Club members, along with volunteers, rodeo contestants, rodeo queens hailing from every corner of the nation, and community leaders, all come together to lend their hearts and hands to this extraordinary event.
The Special Rodeo is a treasure trove of laughter, camaraderie, and cowboy spirit, generously sprinkled with kid-friendly, rodeo-themed games and activities. The Silver Spurs Club extends a warm invitation to special needs children and their families, with valuable support from the Osceola County School District.
As the children step into the arena, they're greeted with open arms and a special goody bag. Inside, they discover a bandanna, a Special Rodeo shirt, a straw cowboy hat, and a Justin Boots back number. These tokens of the rodeo are their badges of honor, setting the stage for an adventure like no other.
Before the merriment kicks off, each child is paired with their very own rodeo buddy. These rodeo buddies, often Silver Spurs Riding Club members or volunteers, are more than just guides; together, they explore the different stations throughout the arena, ensuring that every child has a front-row seat to the excitement.
Each year, the Special Rodeo offers a magical array of activities that would make any cowboy or cowgirl's heart skip a beat. Picture this: real horseback riding, a thrilling ride on a fake rocking bull, a chance to climb inside a rodeo clown's barrel, roping a steer dummy, sitting atop the iconic Silver Spurs Blue Boot, striking a pose with a rodeo queen, gentle moments with cows and sheep, and even an opportunity to explore the inside of a SWAT truck.
As the day ends, a heartwarming and thrilling moment arrives. The arena comes alive with cheers and applause as the announcer declares each child a winner. They proudly receive a coveted Silver Spurs Rodeo trophy, a symbol of their courage, spirit, and the love that surrounds them.
