The center arena of the Salinas Sports Complex was a twister of action as cowboys, cowgirls and smiling students of Monterey County's Special Education programs saddled-up for the 17th annual California Rodeo Special Buckaroos event.

The stampede of action was held on Saturday, July 17 when 350 students and their families participated in this special event of the California Rodeo Association. The Special Buckaroos shares the sport of professional rodeo with children with disabilities.
Hosted by the California Rodeo and sponsored by Tanimura and Antle, the Special Buckaroos Rodeo pairs professional rodeo cowboys with students on a "one on one" basis in the Rodeo arena.
 
Each child was outfitted with a cowboy hat, a cowboy bandanna, a contestant number, and a special lariat rope. The students were pairs with rodeo cowboys and worked through a series of modified rodeo events, including roping a dummy steer, riding "Simpy" the hand-rocked bull, a wild stick horse race, and riding a real horse through a flag race.
 
Following completion of the events, television and movie star Wilford Brimley individually recognized each student and awarded them with a trophy and an autographed picture of their professional rodeo partner.
 
The chair for Special Buckaroos Rodeo is Connie Rossi-Rains. For more information contact Michele Saleh, Director, Special Education at 755-6433.