Recap: Charity Ball's Boots, Buckles, and Benevolent Bidding In The Stockyards + Golf Tournament Registration Is Officially Open
- Cowboys Helping Cowboys
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
What a night.
Under the glow of the neon lights in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards, our rodeo family gathered at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall for the 7th Annual Cowboys Helping Cowboys (CHC) Charity Ball that reminded us exactly why CHC exists.
Ladies and gentlemen who joined us did not disappoint. Arriving dressed to impress in their finest Western formal fashion, felt hats, polished ostrich boots, vibrant, eye-catching native turquoise and silver accessories shining, plus plenty of cowboy grit accompanying the glam. The energy in the room was charged, but the purpose behind it all was even more electric.
Thousands Raised. Lives Impacted.
Thanks to the generosity of our guests, sponsors, bidders, staff, and volunteers during this year's Charity Ball, we raised thousands of dollars through our live and silent auctions and private donations. All proceeds go directly toward serving our mission.
When the arena lights go dark and the paychecks stop, CHC steps in. Because for many of these athletes, competing isn’t just what they do...it’s all they’ve ever known.
The CHC History
Cowboys Helping Cowboys is a small grassroots nonprofit, bootstrapped by former professional bull rider, Dave Samsel, over a decade ago, who had a calling on his heart and a purpose-driven passion for helping the next generation of Western sports athletes have a soft spot to land and the offering of a hand up in the event of a catastrophic injury or faced with fighting a severe illness.
Cowboys Helping Cowboys has now paid out over half a million dollars to rodeo athletes who have faced devastating injuries or severe illness solely from private donations and CHC's signature charity events.
A Night We Won't Soon Forget
Throughout the evening, we heard moving testimonies about how CHC changed lives during seasons when athletes felt alone, sidelined, and uncertain about what came next. Those stories were powerful reminders that this organization is more than a fundraiser; it’s a family. Bonner Bolton, a former bull rider and CHC beneficiary, delivered an evocative and heartfelt keynote address that resonated with the audience. Through firsthand experience, Bonner shared how CHC impacts the lives of its beneficiaries, him being one of them.
Rodeo Icons & Western Legends
The room was filled with familiar faces and rodeo greats. Guests had the opportunity to rub elbows with icons like 8x world bull-riding champion Donnie Gay. Bonner Bolton, featured keynote speaker, is a former bull rider and CHC beneficiary himself. Plus many other NFR qualifiers, our rodeo neighbors from up north in Canada, Rod Hay, a former rodeo athlete and proud father of the beloved saddle bronc athletes, the Hay brothers. Our MC of the night, Randy Schmutz, who is also a familiar voice in rodeo announcing for 40 years, is a Texas Rodeo Hall of Famer. The fellowship was real. The generosity was overwhelming. The support for our rodeo athletes was undeniable.
Dancing the Night Away
Once the stories were told, the final auction item was sold, and the paddles were down, we turned up the music and celebrated the only way cowboys and cowgirls know how, with a little Texas two-steppin' on the dance floor.
Fort Worth legend The Randy Brown Show brought the house down with live music that kept boots moving late into the night. It was the perfect ending to a night built on purpose, passion, and rodeo pride.
📸 See Your Photos
Click the link below to view your red carpet portraits and other photos from the evening. Relive the memories, share your favorites on social media, and tag CHC so we can share the memories with all.
Next Up: The Annual Cowboys Helping Cowboys 🏌️♂️ Golf Tournament
The boots may be back in the closet, but the fun in our fundraising charity event continues. Registration is officially open for this signature event, the Annual Cowboys Helping Cowboys Charity Golf Tournament — and this year, we’re doing it bigger than ever with a two-day, four-man scramble competition.
Team of 4: $1,600 (Register online)
Individual Entry: $400 (Individual players must contact Dave Samsel directly to coordinate registration.)
⚠️ Important ⚠️
This is a two-day event. To be eligible to win, teams must commit to both days. Combined scores from both days determine flight winners.
📍 Friday, May 1st
2 PM Shotgun Start
Bear Creek Golf Club | Dallas, TX
🏌️ Calcutta to follow Friday’s finish
📍 Saturday, May 2nd
7:30 AM Start
The Golf Club at Fossil Creek | Fort Worth, TX
Teams will be flighted on Saturday based on Friday’s scores, and combined scores from both days will determine flight winners.
Thank You, Again!
We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, bidder, volunteer, musician, guest, and supporter who showed up and showed out for the 7th Annual CHC Charity Ball. Because of you, Cowboys Helping Cowboys continues to be a light in some of the darkest seasons rodeo athletes face.
This is what rodeo family looks like. This is what community feels like.
And we’re just getting started.
