[This blog was updated on August 13th, 2019 to reflect the 2019-2020 rodeo schedule.]One of rodeo’s biggest myths? Once you’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all. Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent attendee, you never really know what to expect at rodeos in Kissimmee, which is part of the reason why so many are held here in good ol’ Osceola County! That being said, we understand that keeping all of these different rodeos straight can be a little confusing. The good news is, we’re here to help clear things up so that you can put each rodeo on your calendar!

If you’re an Osceola County native, you probably already know what to expect at February’s rodeo, which has a few mooo-ving parts: Monster Bulls, the Silver Spurs Rodeo, and the Osceola County Fair. The weekend before the February rodeo, the Silver Spurs Club holds its annual Monster Bulls event, during which bull riders take on some of the “rankest” (meaning they produce high-scored rides) bulls raised on the Silver Spurs Riding Club’s own ranch down in Kenansville.Next up is the Silver Spurs Rodeo. Always beginning on the third Friday in February, which also happens to be an official Osceola County School District holiday (we’re not kidding)! While some kids may recognize Rodeo Day as nothing more than a three-day weekend, it’s the first day of the ultimate trifecta: Rodeo, fair food, and fun! The February rodeo coincides with the Osceola County Fair and showcases rodeo contestants, from across the state and even the nation, competing for their share of the $100,000 prize money up for grabs. (FYI, the prize amount is referred to as the “purse.”)One month later at the end of March, the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo (RAM NCFR) comes to town. This is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event where the top two cowboys and cowgirls from each circuit finals rodeo compete for RAM NCFR titles in each of their own respected rodeo events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and women’s barrel racing. In the world of rodeo, the United States is split into 12 circuits, and the champions from each circuit all come to Kissimmee to compete for $1 million in cash and prizes.All of these rodeos have similar events, and all Silver Spurs Rodeos are PRCA-sanctioned, but the RAM NCFR is actually put on by the PRCA. Think of the PRCA as the National Football League of rodeo and the RAM NCFR as one of their championship games. The PRCA’s Super Bowl equivalent is the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR), which is held in Las Vegas each December.

Next up on the calendar is the second Silver Spurs Rodeo of the year, which is a two-night event in early June. Rodeo week is kicked off by the Miss Silver Spurs Pageant, which is held the day before the first June rodeo performance. The Miss Silver Spurs Pageant has deep roots, not just with the Silver Spurs Rodeo, but with Osceola County in general. Spectators can catch the pageant (for free!) as they crown a new Miss, Junior Miss, and Little Miss Silver Spurs.

The newest and last Silver Spurs Riding Club event of the year to take place in Kissimmee is Boots, Bulls and Barrels. This one-night-only rodeo event features three of rodeo fans’ favorite events: women’s barrel racing, steer wrestling, and, of course… bull riding! This particular rodeo event was first held in 2017 and is used to help raise funds for the Silver Spurs Riding Club’s annual scholarship fund. Allocating a portion of funds raised through attendance into their scholarship program, the Silver Spurs Riding Club will later award recipients in April at the Education Foundation of Osceola County’s Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Which means… the more rodeo fans in the arena means more money the Silver Spurs Riding Club can give away to Osceola County high school graduates!

Make sure to save the date for October 5th as Boots, Bulls and Barrels will return to the Silver Spurs Arena at 7:30 p.m.! Tickets are just $15 for adults and kids 10 and under are free. Take this as an opportunity to have a night out full of good old fashioned family fun and all for a good cause!