Oct. 19's special rodeo offers plenty of 'feel good' opportunities

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

October 16, 2003 -- There's a rodeo on Sunday, Oct. 19, near Sherman/Denison that needs a lot - from volunteers to participants to donations. But instead of focusing on what is needed, this story mostly focuses on what it gives.

The Special Cowboys Rodeo Association's October Rodeo will give lots of "feel good" to everyone involved - from those who cheer on the participants, to those who walk beside or lead a horse, and especially to those special cowboy and cowgirl participants who will compete in barrel racing, pole bending, cowboy rescue races, and more.

Organizer Melanie Robbins said even after years of putting together the Special Cowboys Rodeo Association events, designed especially for individuals with mental and physical limitations, she still "gets excited about it." While preparing each rodeo she "hopes it will be bigger and better than the last one." The October rodeo is set for Loy Lake Park. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the rodeo begins with a grand entry at 1 p.m.

Robbins, her husband Mike, and her parents, organized the association and its first rodeo in 1997. They completed all the necessary, legal paperwork to copyright the association's name, gained some insurance, and began promoting and conducting the unique events. They began with holding the special rodeo twice a year, then expanded to four times a year. "But without any funding, it's just a lot of out-of-pocket expense, and we've gone back to having it twice a year," Robbins said.

So why would a young couple, with healthy children of their own, take on such an endeavor? "I think it was God's will, actually," Robbins said. She explained that when she was young, a severely broken arm put her in the Scottish Rite hospital. "I spent two years (being) more in than out" of the hospital, she shared. With an injury of his own, husband Mike also spent time recovering in Scottish Rite hospital when he was a youngster. After they were married, the couple remembered the friends they made at the hospital, and decided to utilize their involvement with horses, to give

people with physical and mental challenges a time to do something extraordinary.

"There's so many kids that can get out there and rodeo when there are so many others that would like to just as much," Robbins said.

So here's their chance. To be a member of the Special Cowboys Rodeo Association (SCRA), pretty much all that is required is to show up. There's no membership fee, no admission fee, no entry fee. The special cowboys and cowgirls are encouraged to dress "western," but that's not even a requirement. Those who prefer to wear a helmet during activities may do so.

"No matter their challenge, we've got events for them to be in," Robbins said. All the special cowboys and cowgirls will participate in the grand entry - a trip around the arena either by wagon, horseback, or maybe even as a clown's assistant.

The rodeo events are great for the special cowboys and cowgirls, but they are also great for the volunteers. The challenged competitors‚ enthusiasm, excitement, and eagerness are heart-warmingly contagious.

Robbins said the more volunteers that are at the event, the better. "We need people to side walk (walk beside the horse to help steady the rider), to lead horses, to load kids in and out of wagons," as well as "to cheer them on." There's also an opportunity for folks with good, gentle horses to share them with the special cowboys and cowgirls; those with horse-drawn wagons to help out; to come dress up like clowns; and to work in the concession stand.

"The concession stand is really our only source for making money," Robbins added. "People should bring their appetites; 100 percent of the proceeds go to the SCRA."

Other special attractions are planned for the Oct. 19 rodeo, including a visit from country music singer Deryl Dodd.

Volunteers and participants who need more information should contact Robbins at 903-429-0307 or email ropinbirdie@hotmail.com; or call Barbara at 903-429-6387.