While the Equest Blue Ribbon Gala at Gilley’s Dallas usually means that traditional formal wear gets the night off, Greg Hext and 2026 Co-Chair Mark Knowles just couldn’t resist dressing up for the Equest fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, in tuxedos and black bowtie. But the gents still accessorized their looks with a western touch. Instead of a top hat, Mark donned a black cowboy hat and Greg sported alligator-skin boots.
But leave it to their ladies to embrace the western feel that Dale Evans would have killed for. While Kim Hext wore a full-length, sleeveless deep-chocolate tunic with tassel hem starting just above the knee and feathers at the shoulders topped with a milk chocolate western chapeau, Co-Chair Melinda Knowles channeled her inner cowgirl wearing a whiter-than-white blouse and bright red western skirt, cinched at the waist with a concho belt and turquoise around her neck and one of her ears.
Following Melinda’s lead, 2026 Founders Awardees Leslie and Golden Hawkins went all the way in denim, cowboy hats, turquoise, black belt tipped with silver and cowboy boots. On the other hand, 2026 Citation Awardee Carol Huckin was ready for boot scooting in high-heel, rust colored ankle boots and a matching short leather skirt, while her husband Bill Huckin opted for easy-going, walk-about sneakers, jeans and a white, collared shirt highlighted by a tug-of-war graphic.
But fashion wasn’t the only scene-stealing of the night. There were also the mini-ambassadors and Equest Founder Susan Schwartz performing a tribute to those who died and so much more. Here’s a report from the field:…