OTHELLO — The Othello Rodeo grounds were filled Friday morning with people riding horses, tin cattle for rocking and riding, cardboard cows for milking, tin roping bulls and toy dump trucks to move sand around the arena. There were 106 participants and over 50 volunteers at the Rascal Rodeo, an all-ages adaptive rodeo for people with disabilities. 

“It was started so that the participants had a place to come experience the Western way of life and ride horses and experience being cowboys and cowgirls,” Ann-Erica Whitemarsh, founder and executive director of Rascal Rodeo, said. “But we've discovered it's more than that. People have said their first words after coming and riding horses with us. Parents can't believe how much fun their child of whatever age is having. So, it's a life-changing experience for everybody involved.” 

The Rascal Rodeo collaborated with the Othello School District to send special education students to the rodeo for the morning. According to Whitemarsh there were around 70 students in attendance. The Othello School District provided transportation for the students.  

“Some of them have looked forward to it since they stepped foot in the building this morning,” said Jennifer Casey, a physical therapist at Othello School District. “Some of the kids were talking about horses and riding them and doing those things all morning. Then for some it was harder, but it was a good opportunity for them to come in a public place without a phone or a screen in front of them and experience a group setting. So that was exciting for them.” 

People begin their rodeo experience with a free shirt, cowboy hat and sheriff’s pin. At the end of the event, the participants were also given an American flag and a donated belt buckle. The event was free, thanks to donations from JR Ranch, Othello, and Onions Direct.  

“Seriously, I have seen these cowgirls and cowboys come out of here with such excitement,” Vickie Crane, a volunteer and the mother of the owner of JR Ranch, said. “The ones that hardly would say anything to me, on the way in (to the rodeo grounds). They just chitter-chatter on the way out of here. You can't get them to shut up. I just love watching them go out and watching them get on the actual horses. You know, it's a real horse and people think that’s so cool.”  

Rascal Rodeo travels around Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. This is the fifth year that it has returned to Othello.  

“Some people aren’t too sure, because you hear about a rodeo for people with special needs and you think, how is that gonna happen?” Whitemarsh said. “But when they see pictures and see videos, they're like, 'OK, we get it now.’ Then, when they come, they are blown away at just how much fun the participants are having, how many abilities are really discovered for the participants ... even volunteers are like, we can't believe how much fun we're having.” 

There were also special volunteers, such as Othello Rodeo Queen Milie Cobb and her horse Smokey. Cobb has volunteered with the rodeo for three years, offering people rides on her horse and sitting as a second person for the younger participants who can’t ride alone. 

“It was just fun to see all their smiling faces. Some of them were chatter boxes and just chatting with them, I think it’s absolutely amazing,” Cobb said. “My mom teaches kids similar to them and I think it's great that people are able to put these events together.” 

Whitemarsh started the Rascal Rodeo in high school as a senior project idea, she said, but 11 years ago she realized that this was her calling. At the time, she said, she had nothing to her name besides student loans from her business major, but she began organizing events, a truck was donated and the Rascal Rodeo was born. 

“My favorite thing is when a parent or care provider calls beforehand and says, ‘I don't know about this. I don't know if my participant could come. I don't know if they're going to even get out of the car,’” Whitemarsh said. “Then they get out of the car and they're smiling for the first time in three months. They're giving hugs and high fives, and they can't believe that people are sharing love with their participants that are or their kids that are usually segregated from the general population that are usually told ‘no, that they can't do things’ because they're considered disabled. So, it's awesome just to be able to celebrate these participants.” 

Whitemarsh said the Rascal Rodeo will return to Othello next year and that she is always looking for volunteers, horses, belt buckles or donations. Anyone interested in participating in the event or with any questions is invited to contact the rodeo at 509-528-5947. 

    Zane, a participant at the Rascal Rodeo, rode a horse with Miss Othello Rodeo Queen, Milie Cobb, on Friday.
  

    Participants at the Rascal Rodeo, an all-ages adaptive rodeo for people with disabilities milked a cardboard cow Friday.
  

    Participants at the Rascal Rodeo rode tin horses and cattle. There were tins that rocked and ones that rolled side to side.
  

    Jairus milks a cow at the Rascal Rodeo, an all-ages adaptive rodeo for people with disabilities.
  

    Zane, a participant at the Rascal Rodeo, an all-ages adaptive rodeo for people with disabilities got onto Smokey the horse with Milie Cobb, the Othello Rodeo Queen.
  

    The Rascal Rodeo paired with the Othello School District to bus out over 70 students to participate in the all-ages adaptive rodeo for people with disabilities.