Silver Spurs Rodeo - Orlando / Florida Guide
Florida Guide > Other Activities
Did you enjoy watching cowboy films or remember TV programmes like the Bonanza and Rawhide? I’m sure many a boy wished they could have had a go at being one of those cowboys! Or maybe you just wanted to see a rodeo with professional cowboys in action? Well if you are on holiday in Central Florida in February you can visit The Silver Spurs Rodeo, the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi.
This event has grown immensely since it started in 1941 moving from the north of the state to Central Florida where in 1951 the club held its first winter rodeo. In 2003 the Silver Spurs Rodeo moved to a brand new multi purpose indoor building. This is situated on the Osceola Heritage Park and seats 8, 300 and has become one of the main events for Osceola County.
Events include bareback bronco riding – very popular – watching cowboys hang on as they grasp the rigging with one had as they are tossed, twirled and bucked. Scoring is based half on of the bucking action of the bronco and the other half on the control and spurring technique shown. Riders must stay on the horse for 8 seconds and are disqualified if he touches his equipment, the animal with his free hand or his own body. Then there’s the saddle back version of bronco riding.
Bull riding is the most dangerous event as riders fight to stay on for 8 seconds. It’s different from bare back bronco riding as the rider doesn’t have to spur – its hard enough to stay on without trying this! ! However if they do manage to spur there are extra points to be gained.
Barrel racing is popular with the audience as contestants are timed as they whizz round in a set pattern around barrels stopping the clocks as the rider finishes and leaves the arena. Originally started by cowgirls to show off their skills it has now become an event of the rodeo in its own right. Then there’s steer wrestling – the steer gets 10 seconds head start on the wrestler and his assistant hazer (a cowboy on horseback) – the aim here is for the cowboy to take the steer down to the ground with all four legs pointed in the same direction as fast as he can. The clock is then stopped and the fastest to achieve the task wins. Other events involve ropes, typing animals and one for the children is Mutton Bustin` . This fun, well liked event is for young cowgirls and boys to sit on the back of adult sheep and just like the cowboys hold on for 5 seconds without falling to the ground.
The admission includes entry to the county fair with shows of farm animals. There are side shows, vendors and a bit of razz a matazz! A visit to the rodeo is good family entertainment and is a big competition with valuable prizes to the winning cowboys who take their art very seriously!
The Silver Spurs Rodeo is situated at the Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, off Hwy 192 in Kissimmee, Florida. Tickets start from $15 (free to children of 10 and under if accompanied by an adult) and can be purchased in advance from Ticketmaster. com or by calling 407-67-RODEO (76336). They are also available on the day if seats are still available.
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