Special needs community gets the rodeo experience at cattle call

Hundreds of members of the special needs community filled the grandstands of the Cattle Call Arena in Brawley Wednesday for the annual Mini Rodeo.

The Mini Rodeo is a 30-year tradition where the youth of the horse riding community give back.

Guests saw steer riding and barrel racing, among many other events.

Mini Rodeo board member Brett Leavitt said it’s an opportunity for the community to get a taste of the rodeo experience.

“I think it’s extremely important for the special needs kids to get out here [and] to do something that they normally wouldn’t have the chance to do and have a good time and see what a rodeo is all about,” said Leavitt.

Attendees also had the chance to pet horses and asked contestants questions about the animals they rode.