Florida Rodeo Associations

Rodeo associations are typically non-profit organizations that promote rodeos as a means to community building, youth enrichment and maintaining a cultural legacy. Many associations sponsor actual rodeos as well as community service projects or other programs. In Florida, rodeo associations serve entire districts, youths and the gay and lesbian community. Through them, members can volunteer in their city and learn to ride a bull as well.

  1. Homestead Rodeo Association

    • Starting in the early 1950s, the Homestead Rodeo Association is the southernmost rodeo in the United States. It provides rodeo competitions as well as promotes rodeo, equestrian activities and youth empowerment. The Black Stallion Literacy Project provides horse-related books to first-grade pupils, takes horses to elementary schools and organizes over 900 first-graders to visit the association's arena.

      The association works with the Sankey Rodeo School, which teaches bareback riding, bull riding and other rodeo skills. Some Sankey students perform in Homestead's annual championship rodeo. Also, in an annual Rodeo Queen competition young women fund-raise for the organization; the winner is the one who sells the most tickets in the community.

    Florida Gay Rodeo Association

    • The Florida Gay Rodeo Association is a non-profit state chapter of the International Gay Rodeo Association. Members commit to volunteer work and fund-raising to enrich the association and the gay and lesbian community at large. They believe in celebrating Western heritage, which according to the organization has historically been accepting of all persons.

      In 2009 the FGRA began its annual rodeo, the Sunshine Stampede. As of 2010 the cost of attendance was $15 per day or $25 for both Saturday and Sunday. During the Sunshine Stampede, the FGRA maintains a strict policy on animal welfare during the training and the rodeo. Throughout the year members also engage in social and community building activities such as Christmas parties, meet-ups at bars and, in 2010, a Caribbean cruise.

    Central Florida Rodeo Association

    • Established in 2010, the Central Florida Rodeo Association focuses on promoting rodeo activities to the youths of Central Florida. Through the rodeo, children maintain a cultural legacy, learn to interact with their animals and gain team-building skills. Approximately monthly the CFRA organizes an open rodeo for everyone to participate. Rodeos with cash prizes are open only to CFRA members. As of 2010, membership fees were $40 per youth.