Roping and the rodeo go hand and hand and for this group of special needs children, getting a chance to be a cowboy brings some big smiles to their faces.

Christy Knight brought her son Colten to the rodeo and watching him be just be one of the kids means a lot to Christy.

"I love the fact that he can just run around, have fun, and rope and ride the horses," said Knight.

The special needs rodeo is put on by the Catalina Cowgirls. Dressed in their rodeo finest, the cowgirls offer the children a hand with everything on the arena floor.

"For me it's just such a great feeling to be able to give back. And to see the smiles on their faces, that's really the best thanks that anyone can ask for," said Sherry Jennings with the Catalina Cowgirls.

Even something as simple as riding a horse can mean the world to these little pokes.

"A lot of them have never even touched a horse, they're scared to touch a horse at first but by the time they leave here, a lot for them are touching the horse and it just lights up their life. It's amazing," said cowgirl Joanna Spencer.

From the chair, to the saddle, it's a minor miracle for Dallas who's able to ride a horse with the help of the cowgirls.

"It's wonderful. We already got to enjoy the roping of cows and just saw some of the boys having a good time," said Dallas' mother Sherry Mahlmann.

"He loves it and he's happy, so that makes me very happy." said Knight.