Full hearts and lifelong memories made at the Ropin’ Rascals

Huwa Arena Roggen, CO

Home raised beef, a petting zoo, stagecoach rides, hockey coaches, old time photos, monster trucks, cowboys, cheerleaders, horse football were just some of the pure fun had at the 4th Ropin Rascals fundraiser event held at the Huwa Arena in Roggen, CO.  The Huwa family, community members and volunteers hosted over 80 special needs Colorado students for a day of cowboy experiences, friendship, sharing and learning about agriculture/ western custom and culture.

Huwa ranch visitors got to be a “cowboy for a day” and had the opportunity to enjoy 12 different experience stations where they could drive John Deere gators, do therapeutic riding sessions, race stick horses, rope the dummy, run a branding iron and more!

The Ropin’ Rascals event was started by Brent and Tonya Huwa who wanted to share their passion for agriculture with several of their daughter Kylie’s friends and fellow cheer team members. Kylie Huwa has down syndrome and is a very busy young lady who is extremely active in her community. Kylie is a member of the national and world champion special needs cheer team known as the Suns. Kylie and her teammates wowed the crowd with their cheer routine and then continued to cheer from the sidelines of the horse football game! Yup, that is right, football on horses, roping the heels of the runners to make the tackle.  It was an impressive game with a huge trophy going to the winning team.

“We hope to host twice as many guests next year and include older guests who are no longer in school. The event is growing so fast, and we hope that we can include special needs individuals from Wyoming, Nebraska and beyond next year”, says Taleen Vick, event organizer and Huwa Enterprise employee. Taleen works closely with a committee made up of Huwa employee volunteers, Colorado community members and sponsors all year to plan and organize this amazing event celebrating all the students and their unique talents and gifts.

In addition to the 12 experience stations, there was a silent and live auction full of quality items that brought top dollar!   The silent and live auction raised over $80,000.00 this year and the money will be donated to help with travel expenses for entire Suns team to continue to train and compete at the national cheer championship as well as the world championship cheer competition. Some of the money will also be used to continue to grow the event and host more special needs individuals for an unforgettable day of fun on the ranch next year.   “Our family is so grateful for all the sponsors big or small and for everyone who makes this day so special for the kids. We are so blessed to be able to host this event and know that everyone takes something special away from the day.”, says Tonya Huwa.

Planning for Ropin’ Rascals 2024 has already started. If you are interested in volunteering at next year’s event, sponsoring or donating to Ropin’ Rascals go to www.ropinrascals.com or contact Taleen Vick at tvick@huwaenterprises.com

PHOTO CREDITS TO: In The Wild + Wonder

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