The fourth annual Rope for the Gold, hosted by Rich Skelton and Tom Cusick outside of Boerne, Texas, is an open roping that’s trying to give professional ropers a boost and at the same time change the way the open roping business is done. Rather than a marathon roping, less than 70 teams enter and the winners still go home with $20,000 apiece. And the top 15 cowboys’ in the world standings fees are waived.

The roping also boasts a pro-am roping, golf tournament and a sponsor dinner. Plus, part of the proceeds are donated to Heartland Home, a charity that benefits abused infants. In fact, Nick Sartain donated 10% of his winnings to the charity and Jake Barnes wrote a personal check for the cause.

The event was such a success that Cusick is even talking about kicking off a series. Hippie Sanchez and J.W. Borrego won one half of the pro-am, while Clay Tryan and Randy Bloomer won the other half.

Tryan, in fact, had a great day. He and Cory Petska won the event by roping five steers in 32.27 seconds to win $20,000 a man. Britt Williams was the big winner for the weekend, finishing second and fourth in the average to win $25,000. Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper were third and won $12,500 each.