The two-day Horns N’ Heroes Team Roping Clinic for military and first responders wrapped up Nov. 6, 2025, and now our nation’s heroes will rope along with the best in the business during the American Hero Celebration with Charly Crawford, one of the team roping industry’s most beloved events.
6th Annual Hillwood Land & Cattle American Hero Celebration, Produced by Liberty & Loyalty
Mission: Liberty & Loyalty Foundation (formerly American Military Celebration) is a non-profit 501c3 organization started by 10-time NFR team roper Charly Crawford to benefit Armed Forces service members and first responders. The foundation produces Western lifestyle and roping events for its participants that promote leadership and teamwork while encouraging camaraderie, forming support systems and making memories. Through these events, the organization has raised more than $1.5 million in charitable donations for groups like Building Homes for Heroes, Brotherhood For The Fallen, and Charlie Five. In 2024, the Liberty & Loyalty Foundation added the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to its list of beneficiaries.
American Hero Celebration Schedule of Events
Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 — 9:00 a.m. start
OPEN ROPING*
- Details: Five-steer average; Progressive after 1
- $20,000 added / 80% payback
- Location: NRS in Decatur, Texas. Top 2 non-NFR headers and heelers will advance to the AMC NFR Showdown, Sunday, Nov. 9
THE MILITARY / 1ST RESPONDER /PRO ROPING*
Mil/1st Headers will compete first with the professional ropers they draw. The Mil/1st Heelers will compete next.
- Details: Enter 1x/Draw NFR partner; Progressive after 2
- $10,000 added to each end; Saddles and buckles to the average winners
- Location: First three rounds at NRS in Decatur, Texas.
STRAY GATHERING RANCH RODEO
- Four-man team, must consist of four military or first responders
- Enter three times
- $10,000 added; buckles to the average champions
- Location: NRS in Decatur, Texas.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 — 8 a.m. start
THE MILITARY / FIRST RESPONDER ROPING 10.5 SLIDE
- Details: 10 slide; Enter 2x; Four-head, progressive after 1
- $67,500 added; Saddles and buckles to average winners
- Location: First three rounds at NRS in Decatur, Texas. Top 15 are invited to the Heroes Gala Back Number Ceremony and advance to Sunday’s Imus Ranch Quarter Horses NFR Showdown in Fort Worth.
4th Annual Heroes Gala 2025
The Gala is an opportunity to support the continued production of the American Hero Celebration and plays a key role for the military and first responder non-profit organizations and scholarship programs in the Liberty & Loyalty Foundation’s network. Along with dinner, guests will be treated to:
- Back Number Ceremony for Top 15 Military and First Responder winners advancing to the Imus Ranch Showdown
- Guest speaker Greg Coker
- Live auction emceed
- Location: Decatur Conference Center Great Hall
- Time: 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
- Dress: Denim & Diamonds / Western Chic
- Address: 2010 U.S. 380, Decatur, Texas 76234
- Ticketed Event
Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025
IMUS RANCH NFR SHOWDOWN
- Time: 1:30 p.m.
- NFR Showdown: The Top 15 PRCA teams will compete in a special NFR preview ahead of their Las Vegas debut.
- Mil/First Responder Roping Short Go: Don’t miss as our heroes rope under the bright lights in Cowtown and get just a small taste of the appreciation they deserve.
- Location: Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Military First Responder Tickets are Free, Courtesy of Imus Ranch, ATAC, Aspire MRO, O’Neills Catering, Quanta Services*
—— TRJ ——
