Bullfighter's Buckle Sponsored by:
Amy Griffin/Telcomp
Buckle Donated by: Gist Buckles

This past year our International family lost a great entertainer. Our rough stock contestants lost a Protector. Our rodeo audience lost their "Nadia".

The International Gay Rodeo Association and AGRA - Phoenix Chapter dedicate this year's program memorial page to our greatest Bullfighter, Mr. David Pizzuti.

From his childhood, David wanted to be a rodeo clown. He would entertain family and friends. And there's no way he could have known that one day he would be practicing his craft before thousands of people across the United States and Canada.

By 1996, he was working the straight rodeo circuit, as well. At the end of that first year, he was honored as Bullfighter of the Year, an honor few bullfighters have ever accomplished during their first season.

David lived and worked in Denver, Colgiado, where his parents still reside. He got his start as a member of the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association. He and his fellow bullfighter, Barry Barnes thrilled the crowds with their colorful costumes and antics. You could never leave those two alone with a crowd, an arena and a banana! It just wasn't pretty! And the things they could do with simple kitchen tools. Unbelievable!!! Many times I would hear members of the audience say "we just came here for the clowns". David had a large following and was a veteran at keeping them entertained.

Many rough stock riders can tell you stories of how David's quick thinking and speed saved them from harm. Many times his concern for their safety would put HIS OWN safety at risk. But he knew what his job was and did it well, taking the hits, so his cowboys wouldn't have to.

Now, our most famous Bullfighter has gone Pro, he's number one in the grand-daddy of all rodeos, hosted by the big guy upstairs. He has given us all memories of great rodeos, that funny man with the strange clothes, quik wit and contagious smile looking back at us from the middle of the arena.

David, we love and miss you. Now, Let's Rodeo!!!

Submitted by Kenny Poplin,
a friend and Mr. AGRA 1998

Buckle Sponsored by: Tom Vance

Glenn's first exposure to gay rodeo was while attending the National Reno Gay Rodeo in Reno, Nevada in 1980 and again in 1981. Being raised on a farm and ranch in western Oklahoma, the rodeo and western lifestyle came naturally, so in 1985, when Walt Rupprecht, owner of the Bunkhouse in Oklahoma City asked him to aid in organizing a gay rodeo association on Oklahoma, he was eager to help. He was one of the three people signing the articles of incorporation of the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association, and was elected its founding President, serving two terms.

When the International Gay Rodeo Association was formed, Glenn attended the first IGRA convention in Denver, where the first set of rules was laid down for the new sport of Gay Rodeo. Since then, he has been present as a delegate or alternate to every IGRA convention except one. He served two terms as the OGRA Trustee to IGRA, and during that time was elected IGRA Trustee Chairman four times. It is this service as a Trustee that has given him the most pleasure, seeing the organization grow and mature as a positive influence on the gay community, and giving the straight community a positive impression of gays as a group of people who can share common interests and compete in a sport that many in the straight community would not think that gay people would be interested in.

Glenn served as Rodeo Director of the Great Plains Regional Rodeo in Oklahoma City four times. A cooperative effort at that time between associations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, he is proud to note that now each of those associations is able to stage profitable rodeos on their own. They banded together to gain experience and share risk, and now each is able to stand on their own, while still offering each other a helping hand whenever needed. He is proud to be associated with this group.

Over the past 18 years, he has traveled many thousands of miles, stayed in hundreds of hotel rooms, and has met many, many people both in the United States and Canada whom he now considers lifelong friends. He says that this entire experience has been the best thing that has ever happened to him as a gay man and would not change a thing. He is always willing to lend a hand or support the sport of Gay Rodeo in any way possible, and is honored to be selected as Grand Marshall of this rodeo.