May 16, 1956 - April 1, 1995
First attended a gay rodeo in 1985 (?)
Involved in gay rodeo through 1994
Inducted 2014
IGRA# 2085
Jerry Hubbard was born in Fort Stockton, Texas on May 16, 1956. A short time later his family moved to Bakersfield, California, where Jerry was raised. At the age of 12 he began riding horses and competing in 4H gymkhanas. Jerry continued to compete in Horse Speed Events at rodeos throughout his high school years. After high school, Jerry had to give up his horse and riding when he moved closer to Los Angeles. Ten years later, Jerry heard about the formation of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association (GSGRA), and decided to start riding again. He became a Charter Member of GSGRA in March 1985, while registering to compete in the first Los Angeles gay rodeo.
Like many contestants, Jerry started slowly. In 1985 and 1986 Jerry only competed at the LA Rodeo, where he won ribbons in the Barrel Race and Pole Bending. In 1987 Jerry's rodeo interest expanded to include the Royalty program. He proudly held the title of Mr. GSGRA for two consecutive years - 1987 and 1988. Along with his participation in Royalty, Jerry also increased his involvement as a rodeo contestant. In 1987 Jerry went to all of the rodeos on the IGRA Circuit. Up to this time, Jerry had only competed in the Horse Speed Events, but at the 1987 "Arizona Gay Rodeo" in Phoenix he added all of the Rough Stock Events (Bull Riding, Bronc Riding, Wild Cow Riding, and Chute Dogging), and one Camp Event (Steer Decorating). At the 1987 "LA Rodeo" Jerry added the final two Camp Events (Wild Drag Race and Goat Dressing). Then at the "Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo" in Denver he added Calf Roping-on-Foot. And finally at the 1988 "Arizona Gay Rodeo" Jerry added the last two IGRA events: Breakaway Roping and Team Roping.
While still holding the title of Mr. GSGRA, Jerry became Mr. IGRA First Runner-Up 1988. Throughout 1988 Jerry continued to compete in all the IGRA rodeo events, winning buckles in Bronc Riding, Wild Cow Riding, Calf Roping-on-Foot, and Pole Bending. The IGRA Finals Rodeo was scheduled to be in Reno, Nevada, but because of homophobia the event was relocated to Fallon, Nevada. Then two days before the rodeo the Fallon District Attorney filed an injunction to stop the event. Two days in local court as well as a visit to the Nevada Supreme Court failed to overturn the injunction. As a result the IGRA Board awarded event buckles to the top competitors in each of the two Rodeo Divisions based on their accumulated points earned during the year. Jerry received the Division 1 buckle for Pole Bending. Even though the Finals Rodeo had been canceled the Rodeo Royalty competition did take place, and Jerry was honored to be chosen to hold the title of Mr. IGRA 1989. Jerry was involved with the production of the 1988 "LA Rodeo" as Chairperson of the "Chutes and Buckle Sponsorships Committee," and was also a member of the "Rodeo Play Days Committee." For the 1989 "LA Rodeo" he was chairperson of GSGRA's "Mr., Ms., and Miss" competition.
In 1988 Jerry was also selected to be one of the GSGRA Delegates to the IGRA Annual Convention, where he participated in the Rodeo Rules committee meeting. The following year he was selected to be one of the IGRA Co-Chairs for that committee. In 1990 and 1991 Jerry was on the GSGRA Board of Directors.
Jerry was a true sportsman, and was always there to help other contestants get set on their bucking animal,
or to give advice in any of the rodeo events. In 1989, 1990, and 1991, Jerry received the IGRA Trustee's Award which recognizes those IGRA contestants who have exhibited excellence in the standards exemplified in the Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship.
After twenty years working for "Texaco Oil," Jerry took an early retirement package in 1992 and went to school to learn horseshoeing. Due in part to Jerry's warm inviting personality, his new career took off very fast and he was quickly shoeing six days a week! In 1993, Jerry was the on-site rodeo farrier at the Los Angeles and Palm Springs rodeos, and in 1994 at the Los Angeles, Bay Area, and San Diego rodeos.
Jerry was the consummate country western dancer, and thoroughly enjoyed the country western lifestyle. He embodied the true cowboy spirit which lives on today in all those who knew him, Jerry succumbed to AIDS on April 1, 1995. Today we can all be proud of Jerry's dedication to the sport of gay rodeo. For his contributions to the sport of gay rodeo and to IGRA, we induct Jerry Hubbard into the IGRA Hall of Fame.