Kids rodeo a hit with children, adults

As part of the 60th annual Siloam Springs Rodeo, an event for special needs children took place on Friday morning where children were able to participate in different activities such as riding horses as well as meeting and spending time with some of the rodeo's participants.

This was the event's fifth year to take place and was made possible largely due to volunteers from the Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders. The Rounders are a group of volunteers that participate in a range of rodeo-related events in the area, from performing at different rodeos to assisting in volunteer projects for kids, said Laurie Purdue, co-director of the Rounders. The event was attended by more than 50 kids, their parents, officials from the rodeo and of course, volunteers.

Among the activities that took place Friday, the main attraction for kids was being afforded the opportunity to ride the horses, which is a primary reason Purdue said she thinks having this event is important.

"It is an opportunity for them to be included, like other kids that get to come, they do not always get the opportunity to ride," Purdue said. "I just feel like helping everybody out is part of the whole cowboy spirit thing, and that is just what we are trying to do."

Among the Rounders is Letausha Ahrents, who helped assist kids as it became their turn to get on and ride the different horses. The reason for wanting to come to events like these is simply out of a love for both kids and horses, and also because it is rewarding to give kids experiences on horses that they would not get otherwise, Ahrents said.

Brittney Doshier, 2017 Siloam Springs Rodeo Queen, has been involved with the Siloam Springs Rodeo for four years. She was selected to serve as queen last year and her reign ended Saturday night when a new queen was crowned after presstime. Although Doshier has been involved in similar activities throughout her years there, Doshier explained why Friday's event was special to her personally.

"This was on my schedule, but that is because we love coming out and socializing with the kids," Doshier said. "It is also one of the best parts of the rodeo, just seeing the smiles on every kid's face, helping them put on bandanas and ride horses for the first time each year, it is just amazing."