Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Special Kids’ Rodeo.
The 2025 Special Kids’ Rodeo will be held on Sunday, June 22.

Registration will open in Spring 2025.

If you have questions or would like to request an application, please email [email protected]

The Special Kids’ Rodeo (SKR) is one of the most popular events at the Reno Rodeo. Open to children and young adults under the age of 18 with physical and mental exceptionalities, this annual event is a fun way for children to experience the cowboy way of life first hand. Participants enjoy riding a “mechanical” bull, roping steer dummies, riding a horse, and more!

The 2025 Special Kids’ Rodeo will take place on Sunday, June 22. At the time of application, participants may choose either the 1:00, 1:45 or 2:30 performance time. Space is limited to 40 participants during each session. The SKR is held in the Indoor Pavilion Arena at the Reno Livestock Events Center. During the SKR performance, all of the children are assisted (as needed) into the rodeo arena by volunteers of the Reno Rodeo Association. While the SKR is put on by the Reno Rodeo Association and its many volunteers, it requires the generosity of the community to make it really successful. If you’d like to cheer on the SKR participants, all SKR performances are open to the public.

History of the Special Kids Rodeo
In 1983, PRCA Cowboys wanted to give something back to the communities in which they performed. Out of this desire came the Exceptional Kids Rodeo, which pairs children who have special needs with rodeo cowboys. The Reno Rodeo was one of the first Rodeos to introduce this event to rodeo fans in 1983 and it continues today as SKR. SKR is an event for children who are mentally or physically challenged. The intent of the Reno Rodeo Association and its members is to give these children the opportunity to interact with animals they would see perform in the rodeo as well as rope steer dummies and ride mechanical bulls and horses.