Florida Guide > Other Activities
Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimmee
With the demise (as of 1st September 2006) of the KSA Rodeo in Kissimmee the visitor, or indeed local, now has only one option if they wish to see the authentic spectacle of the Rodeo. This is the Silver Spurs Rodeo held, annually, in the Silver Spurs Arena at the Osceola Heritage Park.
The KSA Rodeo was held weekly on a Friday night and comprised mainly of amateurs, having been established in 1994 to provide an outlet for local youngsters who wished to practice the once popular arts of riding, barrel racing, calf roping and other waning skills. It was estimated that eighty per cent of the Friday night crowd were tourists, mainly British, wanting to experience a little of “Old Florida”.
The Silver Spurs Rodeo however, makes up for what it lacks in frequency in its professional set up. This rodeo is advertised as the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi and is officially recognised by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as one of the top fifty rodeos in the United States.
The Silver Spurs Club was formed in 1941 and their first show, staged in March1944, was in aid of the War effort with entry to the rodeo being the purchase of a War Bond.
Soon after, on July 4th of the same year, the first full dress show was staged. In 1949 the club acquired land adjacent to Highway 192 and started work on the Silver Spurs Rodeo Arena. The first rodeo in this new location was held July 4, 1950. Silver Spurs has grown in size and reputation since and thrills the residents of Central Florida and thousands of visitors each year.
Rodeo attractions generally featured include:
Bareback Bronc Riding, one of the most physically demanding events of a rodeo, and definitely includes some of the wildest action.
Barrel Racing, which is a timed event, with the contestant entering the arena at full speed, riding in a cloverleaf pattern, around three barrels positioned in the arena
Team Roping, which is a true team event requiring coordination and timing between two cowboys. Originating in the Old West when cowboys needed to brand steers too large or difficult for one man to handle alone, Team Roping is still a common practice on ranches today.
For the younger enthusiast there is ‘Mutton Bustin`, an alternative rodeo event just for the little cowboys and cowgirls. Contestants are placed on the back of an adult sheep and the objective is simple. . . hold on for eight seconds without hitting the ground. While the objective may be simple, holding on to a running sheep is not!
Silver Spurs Rodeo Arena is situated on Bill Beck Blvd, north of Highway 192 near to its Junction with Florida’s Turnpike (Exit 244).
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