Special need children owned the rodeo arena this morning at Chief Joseph Days.
Deb Scudder, who has been the chair of Chief Joseph Days’ Little Buckaroo Rodeo for the last six years had tears in her eyes when she witnessed the cheers and smiles of every special need child this morning and so did I.
But this is not about us
- It is about giving special need children and adults a chance to be a part of rodeo life.
- It is about parents who seek nothing but the best for their kids in an environment that is safe and welcoming.
And even though attendance was down a little due to the fallout of COVID, it didn’t keep me from shooting as many memories as possible.
Click on image to view large picture
Click on image to view large picture
The Little Buckaroo Rodeo
is not a new addition to the Chief Joseph Days. For six years in a row (with a COVID-19) interruption in 2020), the event continuous to gain momentum and popularity throughout northeastern Oregon.
So, for the sixth time, special need children and adults alike participated in this heart warming event.
Of course, it takes many volunteers to make this special event happen. In addition to all the volunteers, the 75th Chief Joseph Days Honor Court, Destiny Wecks, Casidee Harrod, and Briana Micka enjoyed assisting the special contestants with anything they needed.
Professional rodeo bull fighters Nathan Harp and Chuck Swisher as well as PRCA rodeo announcer Jody Carper were also in the arena to help out.
After the event each child received prices including a belt buckle as a token of Chief Joseph Days’ and the Sports Corral’s appreciation for participating.
Being the grandma to a special need eleven year old boy makes this event even more special to me!
Mental health is important to all of us, but especially significant to special need individuals. Witnessing the pride in all of them when they succeed throwing a rope, riding a dummy bull, or racing around on a stick horse barrel racing is something that none of us forget without shedding some tears of joy.The pictures I take at this event are always FREE to parents, family and friends of our special contestants. Please note the link below the Highlight Gallery where you can download your favorite pictures. The link will get you to an album with high resolution images (images posted on this page are low resolution).
Feel free to download as many of the high resolution images as you like for you personal use online, print them out at home or at your favorite print shop.
~ Angelika Ursula Dietrich – Wild Horses Thunder
PS: Pictures are NOT free or available to use for commercial projects of any kind including non-profit. Copyright Angelika Ursula Dietrich – All Rights Reserved. For questions please email me at wildhorsesmediaproductions@gmail.com
Little Buckaroo Rodeo Highlights Gallery
The Sports Corral in Joseph is the official sponsor of the Chief Joseph Days’ Little Buckaroo Rodeo
Even though this gallery has more than 60 images, it only reflect the highlights from the event. These and many more (150+ total) are available at the link above and below the gallery. Thank you for your interest in my photography. ~ Angelika Ursula Dietrich – Wild Horses Thunder
ANGELIKA URSULA DIETRICH, owner and publisher of Wild Horses Thunder and Wild Horses Media Productions, is a professional Photographer, Videographer, Publisher, Writer, Social Media Consultant, and Website Developer.
Angelika’s photography work has been displayed on the front cover of Idaho Magazine (2022), the Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune, Cowboy Lifestyle Network (2021), Cowboys & Indians (2016 & 2018), and in various Oregon and Washington entertainment and vacation publications, Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Program and website (2012-2020), at Art Gallery Festivals, private businesses, as well as for display advertisement for many clients in and out of Wallowa County including the Wallowa County Chieftain (2003-2007). Between 2007 and 2009, Angelika worked in radio as the news and sports director for owners Lee and Carol Lee Perkins at KWVR Radio in Enterprise, Oregon. After the station was sold, she created Wallowa Valley Online, an independent online news magazine publishing and writing news and engaging in photojournalism. After ten years of Wallowa Valley Online, Angelika decided to concentrate on her professional photography, write more human interest stories, and volunteer at the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland.
Regarding my writing: “As a grandchild of post-war Europe (ethnic ancestry Bohemian/Austrian/German) and former Army spouse, I have lived and visited many places across the globe. Wallowa County, Oregon, has been my home since 2002. I am the daughter of a mom whose country violently vanished post-WWII. Her family was forcefully removed from Bohemia in 1946 when she was only six years young and sent to West Germany in cattle wagons. Her life story has tremendously impacted my own and formed my views on humanity and, at times, the lack thereof.
My formal college education is in the nursing field and psychology, which finds itself in my work as a writer and photographer. I am a humanitarian by heart and soul.” ~Angelika Ursula Dietrich
