COOKE COUNTY, Tex. -- The Cooke County Republican Women held a fundraiser over the weekend that included Texas lieutenant governor David Dewhurst, but it wasn't all business. Stephanie Brletic has the details.

The Cooke County Republican Women's fundraiser on Saturday brought in an estimated $7,000 that will be used to support the party's candidates, and of course be donated to local charities, and the Texas lieutenant governor even stopped by.

"I’m delighted to be here and support the county and support the Republican women here in Cooke County," Dewhurst said.

But this was more than just another political gathering. There was food, music, and even a horse-cutting competition, where the lieutenant governor joined in on the fun.

"When I have a little practice and I’m riding the right horse and things go right, we do alright, it's a great sport," said the lieutenant governor.

Dewhurst is modest about his horse-cutting accomplishments. He's been ranked among the top in the world in recent years. Patricia Peale of the Cooke County Republican Women says because of Dewhurst's skill, he blends right into the county where so many competitive horses are bred.

"We have such outstanding interest in the horse industry. And we want him to have an opportunity to get to know some of these people and get to know the needs of our county," Peale says.

Horse cutting champion Teddy Johnson says he's proud to be part of this sport and glad to have the lieutenant governor strut his stuff Saturday because these animals have a special talent that many horses don't display.

"They’re a quite elite animal, they're really elegant movers, real pretty to watch and they're real special, the talent they possess as far as controlling the cows," Johnson says.

Love of this sport is so strong that it even brought Democrats and Republicans together. Dewhurst rode longtime Democrat Larry's Sullivan's horse.