CHICK ELMS – THE COWBOY WHO WALKED AWAY AT THE TOP
Some men walk away from the spotlight not because they failed—but because they found something even more important. Chick Elms was one of those men.
When rodeo fans look back at the golden years of bareback riding, the name Chick Elms always stands tall. A six-time NFR Qualifier, Chick was known for his grit, perfect timing, and fearless presence in the arena. He didn’t just ride — he dominated, thrilling crowds and earning respect from fellow cowboys across the country.
And then… he disappeared.
After his sixth NFR appearance, Chick Elms quietly stepped away. No formal retirement announcement. No press tour. No farewell ride. His name simply faded from the lists, from the headlines — but not from people’s hearts.
So why did Chick leave?
What few people knew: during training after his last NFR, Chick suffered a serious back injury — a seemingly minor fall that ended up carrying long-term risk. Doctors warned that one more wrong landing could leave him paralyzed.
But the injury wasn’t the only reason.
During his recovery, Chick had time to think — and to feel the weight of everything he’d missed. His kids were growing fast, his wife had long held down the home front, and a small family-run cowboy gear store in Stephenville, Texas needed more than just weekend visits.
“Rodeo was my dream,” Chick once said. “But family… that’s my real life.”
He left the arena — but never left the cowboy life
Though he stepped back from professional competition, Chick Elms never left the cowboy community. In fact, he dug in deeper.
He turned the family store into a cultural hub for young cowboys and cowgirls, a place to find your first real hat, a solid pair of boots, or just to hear an old rodeo tale over coffee.
He began offering riding lessons to youth, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. More than technique, he taught respect, courage, and grit — the real cowboy code.
This National Day of the Cowboy — we tip our hats to him
In Texas, and across the West, National Day of the Cowboy is more than just a date. It’s a moment to honor not only the legends of the arena, but also the quiet guardians of tradition — like Chick Elms.
He may no longer ride in the spotlight, but Chick’s legacy echoes through every kid he mentors, every story he tells, every hat he helps fit just right.
Some cowboys retire. Others continue the ride — just on a different trail.