Cowboys and cowgirls come in all forms. And if they have special needs, there’s a place for them at the Katy FFA Livestock Show.

The special rodeo, designed for life skills students (as the district calls them), is a cherished tradition in Katy. This year, it took place Feb. 15 at the Gerald D. Young Agriculture Sciences Center, 5801 Katy Hockley Cutoff Road.

It’s a big deal for the life skills students. They arrive by school bus at the center, where the mascots and cheerleaders from the nine Katy ISD high schools give them a warm welcome. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo mascot, along with Houston Texans mascot Toro and Houston Astros mascot Orbit, also make appearances.

“The mascots are all excited about Orbit and Toro,” Joe Bochat, special rodeo organizer and Seven Lakes High FFA advisor, said.

The students go to the L.D. Robinson Pavilion, where they can pet livestock and ride horses and camels. If they’re up to it, a student can ride a mechanical bull. They get to explore and enjoy the livestock show atmosphere.

The special rodeo is also a big deal to the students at the Katy ISD high schools and community volunteers. Bochat said about 164 students and 400 student volunteers participated Wednesday.

Bochat said volunteers from other organizations participate as well.

“The Rotary Club of Katy is providing lunch for our life skills students and our other students,” Bochat said.

The special rodeo has been going strong for over 10 years, Bochat cannot recall precisely how long. The special rodeo was canceled only twice—once due to the COVID pandemic, the other because of scheduling problems.

Bochat said the special rodeo is not a new idea. Other school districts do similar projects. It takes much work to make the special rodeo happen—and it’s worth it.

“Every time we get ready to have this thing, I just want to throw up,” Bochat said. “It makes me nervous I’m so worked up.”

But then the special rodeo takes place, he said, and he sees the kids having a good time. Teachers tell him that some of their students open up thanks to the fun and welcoming environment. It makes the difference.

“They really get involved in it,” Bochat said. “That keeps me coming back, year after year. I just want it to be a great event.”

Yet the special rodeo is a great event not just because it serves life skills students, but for what it helps teach student volunteers.

“The community supports our kids at the FFA auction,” Bochat said. “The community comes out and supports FFA projects financially. This is something our kids can do to give back to the community. That’s the whole reason I was doing it. All nine FFA chapters have students that serve on our student committee (that does much of the planning). We’re trying to install in the kids the importance of giving back to the community.”