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The 2010 Special Kids’ Rodeo applications will be available in May.
The Special Kids’ Rodeo (SKR) is one of the most popular events at the Reno Rodeo. Open to children and young adults under the age of 18 with physical and mental exceptionalities, this annual event is a fun way for children to experience the cowboy way of life first hand. Participants enjoy riding a “mechanical” bull, roping steer dummies, riding a horse, and more! The 2010 Special Kids’ Rodeo will take place on Sunday, June 20, Monday, June 21 and Tuesday, June 22. The SKR runs from 5:00 - 5:45. Space is limited to 30 participants each night. Each participant attends only one night. The SKR is held in the Rodeo Arena at the Reno Livestock Events Center. In addition to the SKR experience, each registered participant receives dinner, gifts, and three general admission tickets for the participant and his/her parents/guardians to stay for that night’s performance of the Reno Rodeo.
During the SKR performance, all of the children are assisted (as needed) into the rodeo arena by volunteers of the Reno Rodeo Association. While SKR is put on by the Reno Rodeo Association and its many volunteers, it requires the generosity of the community to make it really successful. If you’d like to cheer on the SKR participants, all SKR performances are open to the public.
History of the Special Kids Rodeo
In 1983, PRCA Cowboys wanted to give something back to the communities in which they performed. Out of this desire came the Exceptional Kids Rodeo, which pairs children who have special needs with rodeo cowboys. The Reno Rodeo was one of the first Rodeos to introduce this event to rodeo fans in 1983 and it continues today as SKR. SKR is an event for children who are mentally or physically challenged. The intent of the Reno Rodeo Association and its members is to give these children the opportunity to interact with animals they would see perform in the rodeo as well as rope steer dummies and ride mechanical bulls and horses. 
Photos Courtesy: Fred Cornelius
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