School for the Blind celebrates Western Heritage Day at Silver Spur Western Lodge in Haskell

MUSKOGEE – The Oklahoma School for the Blind will treat their students to a day on the ranch on Sept. 25 for Western Heritage Day.

Again this year, the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and Roy and Rose Anna Webb will sponsor the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Silver Spur Western Lodge.

“This is such a special time for the kids,” OSB Elementary Principal Shawna Coplen said. “This day is absolutely fabulous. It stimulates the students' senses and teaches them how wonderful these animals are.”

The Webb’s annually donate their Silver Spur rodeo arena, stagecoach, hay wagon and employees to ensure that students enjoy an authentic cowboy experience with educational impact.

Students also enjoy fishing, rock-climbing wall, bungee jump station and mechanical bull rides in a safe environment.

Western Heritage Day Chair Jake Walker expects to bring between 75 and 80 Connors State College equine program students. They will join Oklahoma Youth Quarter Horse Association members and Haskell Future Farmers of America as volunteers for the event.

Walker is an Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association executive committee member and agricultural equine instructor and rodeo coach at Connors State College in Warner.

“The volunteers really make the day. Each student is matched up with a volunteer for the day to make sure they experience all the different activities,” Coplen said. “Personally, I think the volunteers have as much fun as the students.”

Donna Janssen will coordinate the lead line horses for students to ride.

Patsy’s Ponies from Pryor will bring the pony carousel.

Connors State College will supply lariat ropes, and calf roping dummies.

Todd Colburn will coordinate the bait and poles for students who want to fish in the pond at Silver Spur Western Lodge.

“Western Heritage Day experiences are lifelong and would not be possible without generous support from Silver Spur Western Lodge, Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, Connors State College and Haskell FFA,” Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services Executive Director Melinda Fruendt said. “It teaches students to get out of their comfort zones try something new.”

The Oklahoma School for the Blind is fully accredited and provides students with specialized educational programs in coordination with their state education requirements. In 2022-23, 86 students lived at the school during the week or commuted from home. OSB also provides summer classes, seminars and thousands of hours of free direct outreach services each year for students who attend other public schools, their families and educators.

OSB is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

For more information, call 918-781-8200 or 877-229-7136 toll-free, or visit http://osb.k12.ok.us/index.html.

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