The members of the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit will host a Special Needs Rodeo for Children on Friday, May 11th. Children will begin arriving at 9:30am at the Etowah County Fairgrounds, 31 Griffin Street, Attalla, AL 35954. The event will end at approximately 1:00pm.
The Etowah County and Attalla City school systems are participating in the special needs rodeo. Students will have the opportunity to ride a horse and steer, participate in barrel races and experience a mini rodeo presented by Double Creek Rodeo Company. The special needs rodeo is closed to the public and is provided as a service to the children. The Double Creek Rodeo will be held at the fairgrounds on Friday, May 11th and Saturday, May 12th. Gates open at 5:00pm and the rodeo begins at 7:00.
Come early each night to watch the Kids’ Gold Rush and Mutton Busting events that begin at 6:30. Tickets can be purchased at the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm / Just $10 for adults, $8 for children (Ages five and under are FREE).
The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit is a volunteer group of experienced riders who, along with their trained mounts, assist law enforcement officers in various ways.
The mounted unit assists with search and rescue, crowd control and patrol operations. Mounted deputies can easily travel terrain otherwise inaccessible to deputies in vehicles or on foot. The size and height of the mounted unit is often an intimidation and deterrence to those who may commit crimes in areas such as parking lots.
The unit works numerous events during the year, which include: Talladega NASCAR Races, Downtown Gadsden Halloween Festivities, Etowah County Fair, Mardi Gra (Mobile, AL) and Fishing Rodeo (Dauphin Island, AL).
The Etowah County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit Rodeo is organized and hosted by the unit’s volunteers.
What does it take to be a member of the mounted unit?
- A desire to work with horses and the public
- Submit an application to be approved by Sheriff Entrekin and the mounted unit membership
- Time – to train both you and your horse
For more information about the Mounted Unit, contact Deputy Eric Terrell at eterrell@etowahcounty.org or (256) 613-4993.
