YEE-HAW! RODEO TIME: Neurodiversity & The Rodeo


 

Yee-haw! Howdy there partners! It's summer in the USA, which means parades, swimming, and rodeos.  On Wednesday June 25th, my friends and I attended the Lehi Roundup Rodeo at the Lehi Rodeo Grounds in Lehi, Utah.  
Here are some tips and tricks that I came up with for my fellow neurodiverse folks while I attended my first rodeo:

  1. Know what to expect by asking people who have been to the same rodeo that you're going to (or who have been) about the rodeo.
  2. When asking people about the rodeo, ask them how long theirs was.  The rodeo I attended was about 90-minutes long for the horse and bull part and after was a drone show plus a bike show.  My friends and I left after the horse and bull part were over.
  3. Bleacher seats HURT! If I had to, I would've brought a blanket or some type of cushion.
  4. Bring some sunscreen.  My friends and I were in the shade for most of the night, but you never know if you're going to get a sunburn from the pre-sunset sun.
  5. Have a fidget toy on hand.  You never know if you or the person you are with is going to get fidget-y.  Bring a small, yet effective fidget.
  6. You're gonna smell horse poop! Whether you like it or not, you're in cowboy country when you attend a rodeo.  With that, comes the smell of horse and cow manure.  If you need to (and are able to), bring something scented to smell to put on your hands/wrist while walking.
  7. If the rodeo you are going to is well-known, PREPARE FOR IT TO BE CROWDED!! This also means, for my folks who like space, that you probably won't have a lot of space anywhere around you.
  8.  Bring noise cancelling headphones! This goes without saying, but for someone (me) who does fine with some loud noises, I struggled with a lot of sensory input.  So, I came prepared and wore my AirPods and it helped so much.
  9. There is a lot of wild horse and bull riding! Do with that as you will...
Enjoy a picture of my friends and I at the rodeo + Garth Brooks' song "Rodeo". 
Have you been to a rodeo?  If so, what are your favorite parts and how else would you recommend someone to prepare for a rodeo?






If you liked this blog post, PLEASE comment down below what your favorite part was, share with your friends and family, etc.  Have any comments, questions, etc. about what you were reading? Reach out to me by messaging me on Instagram or TikTok @neurospicyblondie or email me  alyssa.onthespectrum@gmail.com.  

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