I attended the 2nd Reno Rodeo in 1977 and competed in the three following years (78-80). In 1981 (Reno Rodeo 6) I was one of the producers of Conceptual Entertainment and the Rodeo's Saturday Night Dance Party "Stand by Your Man". I was also Sharon McNight's personal Manager from about 1979-1983. Conceptual Entertainment was the first to create the huge gay dance parties that today are commonly referred to as Circuit Parties. Following Reno Rodeo in Aug/Sep of 1982, Conceptual Entertainment produced the Opening and Closing ceremonies for the 1st Gay Games in San Francisco.

My involvement with rodeo continued as a original member of the "Pacific Coast Gay Rodeo Assoc." My move to Los Angeles in 1983 lead to my involvement with the then new GSGRA Los Angeles chapter, as one of the Arena crew, specifically John Ferry, Wil Schott and myself, who for a period of at least 5 years (starting in '86) were the three official "Timers" for the LA Rodeo. My move in 1987 to San Diego to work at Price Club, changed my chapter affiliation to GSDC, a group who can proudly say that for a number of years created the best attended and well run rodeo's in the country. No one even comes close to recreating the moment when over 4,000 men and women were all line dancing in unison to Boot Scootin' Boogie at the Saturday night dance party at the Host Hotel. After several years in various production positions, I became Rodeo Director for the 1997 San Diego Rodeo, the year we tested moving to Ramona. It was also that year I had to retire onto disability due to my health. Now I enjoy watching everyone else compete and produce the rodeo and am glad to have done both.

Jay Wilpolt