RAPID CITY, S.D.—Saturday was a different kind of rodeo, and everyone won, including the volunteers.
Chadron State University Head Rodeo Coach Dustin Looper said:
Monument Health’s special rodeo filled the Kjerstad Event Center with excitement and smiles on Saturday morning. This is the first year of the event aimed at having people with different abilities experience the rodeo lifestyle.
“Jack is 22, has autism and doesn’t speak a language, so there aren’t many opportunities for young people with disabilities,” said Michelle Kane, one of the parents who attended. . “This is the first time we’ve tried this and so far he’s still here and checking out the horse now, so I’d say he’s been successful so far!”
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Chadron State University head rodeo coach Dustin Looper provided Matthew with a hat for several bull rides. Matthew rode that bull at least 20 times!
Chadron State University head rodeo coach Dustin Looper provided Matthew with a hat for several bull rides. Matthew rode that bull at least 20 times!
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Volunteers help attendees sign-in for the first-ever Monument Health Special Rodeo
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Madi Moody met Ruby at Belle Fourche’s Special Rodeo in 2018.
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Special rodeo athlete painting one of the Red Horse Healing Therapy horses
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Chadron State University head rodeo coach Dustin Looper provided Matthew with several hats for the bull ride.
Chadron State University head rodeo coach Dustin Looper provided Matthew with several hats for the bull ride.
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Black Hills State rodeo coach Glenn Lammers (far left) and Chadron State rodeo head coach Dustin Looper (middle) pose with Matthew.
Black Hills State rodeo coach Glenn Lammers (far left) and Chadron State rodeo head coach Dustin Looper (middle) pose with Matthew.
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Jackie does his best to hold for 8 seconds
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Shannon Champion (left), daughters Ruby Lehmann (center) and Maddie Moody (right) reunited after attending a similar event together at Spearfish in 2018.
Shannon Champion (left), daughters Ruby Lehmann (center) and Maddie Moody (right) reunited after attending a similar event together at Spearfish in 2018.
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Shannon Champion (left), daughters Ruby Lehmann (center) and Maddie Moody (right) reunited after attending a similar event together at Spearfish in 2018.
Shannon Champion (left), daughters Ruby Lehmann (center) and Maddie Moody (right) reunited after attending a similar event together at Spearfish in 2018.
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Quite a turnout at the James Kjerstad Event Center
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
A special rodeo athlete being kissed by one of the Red Horse Healing Therapy Horses
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Special Rodeo Athlete Gets “Tricks”
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
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Monument Health Special Rodeo
Special Rodeo Athletes Take on Bull Riding at Monument Health Special Rodeo on August 27, 2022
Special Rodeo Athletes Take on Bull Riding at Monument Health Special Rodeo on August 27, 2022
The event also serves as a reminder to parents that they are not alone and helps them connect with other families in similar situations.
Volunteers from all walks of life came together and left the event both inspired and encouraged.
Special Rodeo Athletes Take on Bull Riding at Monument Health Special Rodeo on August 27, 2022
“Maybe it’s not so much for these kids, it’s for me. Honestly, just [to] See the smiles and joy it brings to them.
From therapy riding to rope jumping to bull riding to stick horse racing, there was no shortage of saddle riding opportunities. Participants are paired with peers and form friendships, some of which last for years.
Madi Moody is on the Black Hills State rodeo team and has volunteered at similar events in the past. Four years ago she met Ruby, who was three years old at the time, in Belfourche.
Ruby and her mother, Shannon, saw Maddie from across the arena and couldn’t believe who it was.
“Someone asked me before what was this different, and I think the connection is just… seeing them again. It’s really cool,” Moody said.
Madi Moody met Ruby at Belle Fourche’s Special Rodeo in 2018.
Maddie and Ruby spent a lot of time talking and both were full of smiles.
What do you like about Ruby? Horses, of course.
Ruby’s mother, Shannon, said: “We’re just so grateful to have had the opportunity to do something like this.
Everyone can go home as a winner.
“It just builds something in them that no one else can give them,” Looper said. “They just earn it.”