In less than 24 hours, a group of cowboys at the 2014 Quarter Horse Congress organized and staged a mechanical bull riding event that raised over $6,000 for “Congress Cares,” a new program that will benefit the Ohio Quarter Horse Association.

The impromptu idea, came from horsemen that include Tony Burris of North Carolina, and Rusty Green of Texas and spread quickly to include riders from across the country.

“How amazing is this that all these folks came together so quickly and raised this amount of money?” asked Chris Darnell, president of the OQHA.

Over a dozen cowboys and cowgirls competed in a Calcutta Bull Riding contest, complete with judges Tom Lange of Colorado and Denny Thorsell of Ohio.

Contestants were introduced and then auctioned off to the highest bidders with faith in their ability to last eight seconds aboard the spotted bucker. Chad Piper, Ashley Lakins and Kenny Lakins, all of Ohio, drew the highest bids of $1,000 each. Over $12,800 was bid in all with 50 percent ($6,000) going to Congress Cares. The Calcutta paid a total of $6,000 back to the winning bidders. Fifty percent went to first place; 30 percent to third place; and 20 percent to fifth place.

Logan Starnes, son of South Carolina trainers Jay and Kristy Starnes, got the bull warmed up and then the competition got started. The five high scoring riders – Dawn Baker, Derrick Scailor, Tyler Hauer, Matt Baker and “Sticky” Ricky Wilson – came back for a short ride to settle the scores.

Rick Wilson scored a 90 win the contest, earning Ashley Lakins $3,000 in prize money for being the high bidder ($900) on Wilson in the Calcutta.

“He’s worked for us the last three years here at the Congress and I knew he was a sticky little rat,” Ashley said. “I think he’s done some of this kind of riding in the past.”

Lakins said they would donate her winnings back to “Congress Cares.”

Congress organizers will discuss the possibility of an even bigger and better mechanical bull riding event next year.