John Bingham Memorial Rodeo

The John Bingham Memorial Rodeo is a historic event and fund-raiser sponsored by the Wayne County Equine and Recreational Center (WECRC) for the purposes of building a one-of-a-kind indoor arena to host all-season horse riding and various classes on equine husbandry, horse showing, pleasure riding, thus providing a comfortable equine experience for the youth and their families. It is the goal of the WECRC to provide an introduction to the equine world as well as an educational outlet for the youth in the Southeast Michigan communities to realize that life offers a variety of possibilities for enjoyment and employment.

John Bingham was a prominent businessman and entrepreneur in Detroit as well as an equestrian who was very committed to sharing his love of horses with the youth of Detroit. He was a member of various equine organizations and played a pivotal role in the 4-H and the Young Riders which consisted of children from the ages of 5 and up. The Young Riders participated in and competed in local rodeos in places such as the iconic Michigan State Fair Grounds. He was also instrumental in donating his personal horse to hippotherapy sessions, which is proven to be a powerful transformative therapy to youth with neurological impairments and cognitive/communication deficits.

There has never been a rodeo at Huntington Place Convention Center. This is the first of its kind and Detroit has not seen a rodeo of this caliber in decades. What makes this event even more special, is that Mr. Bingham was one of the draftsmen that played a part in the design of Huntington Place, formerly known as Cobo Hall Convention Center.

Come and enjoy the rodeo sights, sounds and yes, the smells. This event will be a truly memorable experience!