In Redmond, Oregon during the High Desert Stampede, the Rascal Rodeo was also held.
Ann-Ericka Whitemarsh is the founder and Executive Director of Rascal Rodeo. She started this movement in 2001 as her senior project in High School and brought it back in 2010. Rascal Rodeo gives people of all ages who have special needs the chance to experience what it is like to be a rodeo cowboy and cowgirl.
There have been added benefits, along with fun. The activities that the participants take part in have been found to be therapeutic as well.
“We’ve discovered it’s more than that. It’s therapeutic for the participants, for the volunteers, for the families. We’ve had people say their first words after coming and riding horses with us. It’s a miraculous event for everybody,” Whitemarsh said.
In 2021, Rascal Rodeo held 11 events that included two during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. This year there are up to 25 scheduled along the west coast.
Whitemarsh says that this is her God-given calling and it is her passion. Her father helped bring special Olympics to Washington state in the 19070’s and she is carrying that on through Rascal Rodeo.
This Positive Times Moment is brought to you by American Hat Company.