The Cody Buckle Club: Philanthropy with Western Flair and Fun

In a community known worldwide as the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” the Cody Buckle Club plays a unique role in supporting the traditions, people, and organizations that help keep Western heritage alive. Founded to bring together individuals who share a passion for rodeo, community, and the American West, the Cody Buckle Club combines philanthropy, fellowship, and hospitality to support a wide variety of local causes and events.

While many people recognize the Club for its signature VIP hospitality experience (The Party Deck) during Cody Stampede Week, its impact extends far beyond those five days each summer. Through membership support, volunteerism, and charitable giving, the Cody Buckle Club helps fund youth rodeo opportunities, supports the Cody Stampede Rodeo and Rascal Rodeo, and contributes to numerous community initiatives throughout the year.

Tony Castillo, who has been a board member of the Cody Buckle Club since 2019 said, “When it started, the most visible part to the community was the party deck,” Castillo said. “But the Buckle Club is so much more and has sponsored many things. We’ve sponsored youth rodeo participants at the National Finals Rodeo and Junior NFR. That’s the whole purpose of it [the Cody Buckle Club]…to support youth rodeo.”

Castillo explained that while a portion of membership dues and event revenues support the Club’s activities and member experiences, the majority of funds raised are directed back into charitable and community efforts, with a strong emphasis on supporting youth rodeo and preserving the future of Western sports and traditions. This extends to endeavors such as the Rascal Rodeo.

What Is Rascal Rodeo?

The Cody Buckle Club, though it funds many rodeo-related costs, events and riders, prides itself in their sponsorship of the Rascal Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming. This is a non-profit organization that dedicates itself to, “Helping those with physical and developmental disabilities discover unknown abilities in a unique, safe and modified rodeo environment,” as stated on their website.

As a major sponsor of the Rascal Rodeo in Cody, the Cody Buckle Club helps to put on a completely free and adaptive event designed for individuals of all ages with intellectual or developmental disabilities. These adaptive, simulated scenarios allow special needs individuals to actively participate in the thrills and activities of rodeo athletes.

“They bring out real horses that have handlers, and they put participants on the horse if they want to ride, and lead them around the rodeo arena,” said Christine Castillo. Included in the activities, participants can also ride on a simulated bronc or bull.

This year, the Rascal Rodeo will take place at the Stampede Park in the main arena on Aug 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Online registration is required prior to the event and can be found on their website, rascalrodeo.org.

Beyond Stampede Week

In 2017, Joe Hertzler and Lance Bower worked with others to create a philanthropic organization. Traditionally, buckle clubs are non-profits formed with the purpose of raising funds and successfully boosting rodeo, providing members with seating, hospitality and parking. The Cody Buckle Club goes further and seeks to enhance membership experience by setting up unique experiences that allow for one another to connect outside of the usual rodeo scene.

Christine Castillo, Executive Director of the Cody Buckle Club said, “We surveyed the members after Stampede last year, and one of the things that came across through their responses was behaving more like a club. So, at this year’s Spring Fling we hosted a wine dinner for them. We’re also working on a ‘behind the scenes’ rodeo experience. One of the things that we started last year was bringing in prominent Western artisans from Cody and Montana.” Included in this group of artisans are saddle makers, leather workers, Molesworth-style furniture, Western hat makers, and fine mosaic jewelry makers who showcase their work in the VIP tent during Stampede Week, providing historical context about the western way to CBC members.

Supporting and Preserving the Future of Cody Rodeo

The Cody Buckle Club is deeper than an exclusive club that appears at Stampede. It goes further with the financial intention of supporting the future of rodeo. The CBC seeks to preserve the way of the West through youth rodeo.

Michael Darby, another board member of the CBC said, “The Cody Buckle Club supports youth and furthers their endeavors in rodeo to keep the sport alive while enhancing our Western culture.”

Part of their way of furthering the endeavors of aspiring youth is by purchasing equipment for those who may otherwise not be able to compete, especially in rough stock.

“The rope, the tape, all that equipment is not cheap . . . we’re looking for those youth that we can actually impact.” Tony Castillo said.

This year, the CBC added $100 per night ($ 9,000 total) to the saddle bronc riders’ winnings as a way to give them a boost.

The Buckle Club is Growing and Looking Ahead

Currently, the Cody Buckle Club has a growing waitlist for interested and potential incoming members with the hopes of expansion in the future. With the extra growth, sponsorship could be taken even further, broadening the scope of help to younger riders and athletes.

“[Expanding] would further our endeavors, helping out even more of the young cowboys and cowgirls in rodeo. It truly would. Right now, we’re looking at how to expand that help more effectively,” said Darby.

“This could include sponsored school scholarships, things like that. It’s next level.” Tony Castillo added.

With all that the buckle club does local rodeos, a bright future for the Cody Buckle Club means an even stronger and more vibrant future for our Cody Rodeo.

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