Cattle ranching has significantly aided the development of Osceola County, and with that growth, the Silver Spurs Rodeo, a rodeo we all love, was born. Though you may think you must be a rancher to be a member of the Silver Spurs Riding Club, things such as family values, charitable giving, and community service drew Jack and Dorothy Jensen to membership.

Originally from California, the Jensens met on New Year’s Eve 1957. They did not speak that night, however, Jack knew she was the one! Before the advent of the internet and with strong persistence, Jack reached out to his cousin’s best friend, a mailman at the time, to help him find Dorothy. Turns out, the cousin’s best friend was Dorothy’s neighbor! His mission resulted in success when Jack acquired Dorothy’s phone number and the rest was history.

Jack worked on audio and lights for Disneyland in Los Angeles, California. Then, he and Dorothy moved to Kissimmee to help with the opening of the largest tourist attraction in Florida, Disney World. While rodeo may not have been on Jack and Dorothy Jensen’s minds when they first moved to Kissimmee, they quickly found a family within the Silver Spurs Riding Club.Dorothy “Dotty” Jensen joined the Silver Spurs Riding Club in the ’80s, with the encouragement of her best friend, Tootsie Whaley. “My best friend Tootsie talked me into coming one time at the old arena and I enjoyed working [the rodeo] so much with the ladies there. And I thought they were just grand people!”

Once Jack saw how much fun Dotty and Tootsie were having, he decided he had to be a part of the action. “We came here not knowing anybody and this involvement helped us integrate into the Silver Spurs Riding Club,” says Jack.

Jack also appreciates the Spurs interaction with the Osceola community and charity.

When the Jensens get a break from volunteering at the concession stands, they are able to enjoy a portion of the rodeo. They specifically love watching the women’s barrel racing and the Silver Spurs Quadrille Team perform. One major contribution Jack Jensen made to the Silver Spurs Riding Club was an enhancement to their ordering system at the concession stands. He acquired a point of sale machine from Disney that allowed the Club to move from a slower paper ordering system to a quicker automated structure.

When they are not volunteering at the Silver Spurs Rodeo, you can find Jack creating beautiful woodwork pieces. While Jack is busy in the shop he and his son built, Dorothy loves to garden and fills her spare time making delicious treats from her Meyer lemon tree.

Dorothy Jensen is grateful to receive the Silver Spurs Women’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication and commitment to keeping the Silver Spurs Rodeo and Osceola County’s ranching history alive. And as for Jack Jensen, our Coca-Cola Cowboy, he is still looking forward to his name on a Hollywood star!

Want to see for yourself what the Silver Spurs Rodeo is all about? Join us Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st for the 143rd Silver Spurs Rodeo to watch seven of rodeo's traditional events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, women's barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping, and steer wrestling. Tickets are just $15 for adults and kids 10 and under are free! In addition to all the rodeo fun, the Silver Spurs Riding Club will be honoring all active and retired service members with free admission to both performances for their sacrifices.