The year 2000 is a special one for ASGRA also. At the dawn of the last decade ASGRA was just a dream in four would-be cowboys' minds. In 1991 ASGRA became a reality. By the end of the '90s we had become one of the largest and most respected IGRA rodeo associations nationwide. Our many dedicated members, both past and present, are what have made ASGRA the premier rodeo association that it is. We have been entrusted with the mission to keep ASGRA at the forefront of the IGRA rodeo ladder. I look back with pride at all of the groups and individuals that we have been able to help and the difference that we have made within our community. Keep up your grand efforts! I have the honor of serving the best group of cowboys and cowgirls in the world!

As your President, I ask that you continue to jump in and get involved with ASGRA in any way you can. Join a committee, go to a fundraiser, volunteer for rodeo duty, help out at Hoe-Down 2000, march at DC Pride or do whatever you can to help keep ASGRA moving forward toward being a better organization for all. Remember - no help or time that you volunteer is too little. Every little bit counts and is appreciated by all.

As a final note, please remember that all members are invited to attend our regular Board of Director Meetings and committee meetings. Please come and see how the people you elected are carrying out their duties for you. Be informed and please be heard.

David C. H, President

President: David H 13512 Woodvale Court Woodbridge, VA. 22191-1832
Vice-President/BHT Rep: Eric Gangloff 22300 Aquasco Rd. Aquasco, MD 20608-2002
Secretary: Gaither Pennington 6518 Osprey Point Lane Alexandria, VA 22315-5908
Treasurer: Steven Haber 1314 12th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005-4402
Membership: Tim Bills 8246 Catbird Circle #302 Lorton, VA 22079-4608
Fundraising & Sponsorship: Daniel Lusk 216 Tennessee Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002-6428
Public Relations: John Stortz 5783 Birch White Court Woodbridge, VA 22193-3354

As you all know, Atlantic Stampede 2000 will take place on September 8-10, 2000. This represents a full month compression in our schedule to promote the event. In the last issue I mentioned an Atlantic Stampede 2000 logo contest. At the November 29th PR committee meeting, we revisited this and determined it to be a high-risk effort because of the shortened schedule and additional events. Consequently, we are now moving forward with a Request For Proposal (RFP) in which at least three graphics companies will submit illustrations and bids for the official Atlantic Stampede 2000 logo.

RFP submissions will be due by midnight, January 31, 2000 and the final decision on the Atlantic Stampede 2000 logo will be made in February. The RFP will be posted on the ASGRA website by December 31, 1999. These will be essentially the same RFP guidelines that will be used later in the rodeo year when we sponsor a contest for the Atlantic Stampede 2001 logo. That contest will be open to everybody. Details and rules of the 2001 Stampede Logo contest will be published in a future edition of Thirteen Spurs.

Despite the change in plans, we are still looking for ideas for a theme for Atlantic Stampede 2000. All Atlantic Stampede 2000 theme entries must be received by the PR Chair no later than midnight, January 17, 2000. You can either e-mail them to pr@asgra.org or call me at (703) 583-8154. Please include your name, a phone number where you can be reached and your theme suggestion. The winning theme, along with the originator's name, will be announced at the February Membership Meeting, published in the next newsletter and posted on the ASGRA web site. If you want to remain anonymous, please indicate this along with your entry. The winner of the theme contest will also receive a mystery prize!

The PR Committee is also focusing on ways to elevate ASGRA's visibility not only here in the National Capital Region, but nationally as well. We are actively pursuing the participation and assistance from ASGRA members that live outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. We are also looking at ways we can economically take advantage of publishing ASGRA information in local, regional, and national publications. (Did you know that the Washington Post now has an editor responsible for gathering information and writing articles that are centered on GLBT issues and events in the Washington, D.C. area?)

Then there is our most visible asset - the ASGRA Web Site (www.asgra.org). Webmaster Billy Collison has already implemented a number of changes to the site. He needs your help in making sure the calendar contains all local/regional events for any given month, however. If there is some event or information that other ASGRA members may be interested in, please forward the appropriate information to pr@asgra.org. All properly documented submissions received by 5pm on Friday will be posted on the web page that weekend. Time sensitive or urgent material will be posted within 24 hours of receipt. As always, your ideas on how we can enhance the site are welcomed! (Note: If your submission includes pictures and/or names of people, you will be required to submit a Disclaimer form along with the submission. The Disclaimer will remove all legal liabilities from ASGRA in the event that an individual's name is published when they would prefer to remain anonymous. Secondly, the Disclaimer form will allow ASGRA to give credit to the photographer that took the picture. The Disclaimer Form can be found on the main ASGRA web page.)

PR Committee meetings are held at 7:30pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month at AAHSA. AAHSA is located at 901 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. (@ 2 blocks west of MCI Center, diagonally across from National Portrait Gallery. Street parking is available in front of office building.) Come on out and join us!

John Stortz, PR Chair

Weather permitting, we will be holding trail rides at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, Maryland at 10:30am on the following Sundays:
January 9th: Start the new millennium off right - the trail ride is definitely Y2K compliant!
February 13th: Warm up with that special someone on a Valentine's weekend ride!

Plans are now in progress for the Spring 2000 rough stock school! Be on the lookout for more details soon!

We're also looking for sponsors for the 6 training buckles for the 1999 training sessions and rough stock school. These will be presented at the February awards event to the cowboy and cowgirl who showed the best performance in the following 3 events during the training sessions of 1999: chute dogging, steer riding and calf roping on foot. (Buckles are limited to those who have never won a buckle in actual competition.) Contact RE&T Chair Cindy Brendle for more details.

Last June, those of you who received renewal notifications in the mail also received a membership survey. The surveys were tabulated and the results were submitted to the Board and general membership for review at the December meetings. I would like to personally thank those of you who took the time to complete the surveys. We appreciate your input. Rest assured that the Board has heard your concerns. Although change does not come overnight, I believe that the measures set in place by our President and the commitment of the current Board to make ASGRA continue to grow and prosper will have a positive impact on the organization as a whole.

Unfortunately, due to a clerical error in processing the surveys, names were not attached to the surveys of those who indicated a desire to be contacted. If you are one of those folks, please email me at join@asgra.org or by phone at 703-495-8028. I will be happy to address any concerns you may have.
Tim Bills, Membership Chair

Cost for the workshop/conference is $45 per person and includes all handouts, guest lecturers, templates, class binder, copy art and certificate of completion, as well as a sit down prime rib dinner and cabaret dance show! Room rate for the hotel is $55/day and is good for 3 days before and after the conference as well. To reserve a place in the workshop, register through the IGRA office (303-832-IGRA). Hotel reservations may be placed by calling the hotel at 800-732-2111. Remember to ask for the IGRA Rate when reserving your room.

This is open to ANY IGRA member! You need not be an officer/trustee/committee chair to attend. Tomorrow's IGRA leaders are within our membership - you could be one of them! For more details contact ASGRA Trustee Mike Benner.

Rodeo Events & Training: Cindy Brendle 3906 Lincolnshire Street Annandale, VA 22003-2517
Social & Entertainment: Jim Morgan 1514 T Street, NW Washington, DC 20009-3910
IGRA Trustee: Mike Benner 4635B South 36th Street Arlington, VA 22206-1724
Newsletter Editor: Alana (Lonni) La Bel 2155 Mohegan Drive Falls Church, VA 22043-2512
CAB Representative 2000: Billy Collison 18600 Walker's Choice Road #5 Gaithersburg, MD 20886-0539
Mr. ASGRA 2000: Sonny Koerner 300 South Taylor St. Arlington, VA 22204-1445
Miss ASGRA 2000: Miss Jymmye Jaymes 1225 Martha Custis Dr. #1017 Alexandria, VA 22302-2021

January
4 7:30pm ASGRA Board meeting, Hyatt Regency Hotel
9 10:30am ASGRA Trail Ride at Piscataway
9 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
10 8:00pm Newsletter Committee Meeting (DATE CHANGED DUE TO ARIZONA RODEO!)
12 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
16 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
18 8:00pm Rodeo Events and Training Committee Meeting
19 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
20 7:30pm PR Committee Meeting
23 4:00pm ASGRA General Membership Meeting, Club Chaos
23 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
24 7:00pm S&E Committee Meeting
February
2 7:30pm ASGRA Board meeting, Hyatt Regency Hotel
6 4:00pm ASGRA General Membership Meeting and Awards Ceremony, Sheridan's, 8th St. SE
6 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
9 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
13 10:30am ASGRA Trail Ride at Piscataway
13 8:00pm Love Shack 2000 at Club Chaos with Ms. IGRA 2000 and Miss ASGRA 2000
15 8:00pm Rodeo Events and Training Committee Meeting
16 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
18 7:30pm PR Committee Meeting
20 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
21 8:00pm Newsletter Committee Meeting
27 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000

ASGRA's members finished up the 1999 IGRA rodeo circuit in grand style! Here's a review of Finals 1999 and TGRA's first rodeo of the 2000 rodeo season:

Finals Rodeo 1999: Little Rock, AR (October 29-31):
Halloween in Little Rock was truly a weekend to remember! Between the decorating of hotel rooms, unusual costume sightings (Des as a real 'cow'-girl springs to mind…), repeated visits to the Super Wal-Mart and the lively group of contestants and supporters for both the rodeo events and the IGRA Royalty 2000 competition, Arkansas will probably never be the same! We had some true gems that proudly represented ASGRA in the Diamond State.

• Cindy Brendle took 2nd place in Steer Riding on Saturday and 6th on Sunday in Calf Roping on Foot
• Janet Clements had a good weekend of Chute Dogging, placing 6th on Saturday and 8th on Sunday to take 4th place overall in the event
• Oscar Mocelo and Michael Lentz both had good rides on Sunday, taking 7th and 4th place respectively in Steer Riding
• Oscar teamed up with Mark Miller (HGRA) and Simone in Wild Drag to place 7th on Sunday and overall in that event
• Simone and Mark Miller again teamed up on Steer Decorating to place 4th on Sunday and 6th overall (pretty good for someone who's still healing from an arm injury, Simone!)
• Jeff Cannon and Don Horn teamed up on Goat Dressing to take 7th on Sunday and 6th overall in that event

  Russell Schnitz finished up a great rodeo year with an equally impressive finals:

• He placed 4th on Saturday and 1st on Sunday to take 2nd overall in Bull Riding
• Keeping the pace up in Steer Riding, Russell placed 6th on Saturday to take 7th overall in that event (And we especially liked the fan dance portion of your rough stock events, Russell!)
• His horse and roping skills were in evidence as he took 7th overall in Pole Bending and placed 4th on both days to take 3rd place overall in Breakaway Roping
• Camp events had a strong showing as well; teamed with fellow ASGRA member Les Boggs, he placed 3rd on Sunday, while in tandem with Jeff Cannon he placed 4th on Saturday and 8th overall in Steer Decorating
• In Wild Drag, the duo added Candy Pratt (TGRA) the team; they placed 5th on both days to secure the 3rd place position overall

  Dennis Terrell concluded the 1999 rodeo season strongly as well, placing in the following events:

• 6th on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday to take 2nd place overall in Chute Dogging
• 3rd on Saturday and 5th overall in Breakaway Roping
• 7th on Saturday and 8th overall in Barrel Racing
• 2nd on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday, allowing Dennis to take the top spot overall in Flag Racing
• Teamed with Justin Dennis (CGRA), he placed 2nd on Sunday in Team Roping
• Dennis and regular partner Andy Anaya (AGRA) also joined up on Team Roping to take 8th place on Sunday
• They continued to stay productive in the camp events, placing 6th on Sunday in Steer Decorating and taking 5th on Saturday and 4th overall in Goat Dressing
• The trio of Dennis, Andy and Sandra Anaya (AGRA) showed how it was supposed to be done in Wild Drag, placing 2nd both days to take 1st place overall for the event
• His impressive stats resulted in Dennis taking 2nd place for All Around Cowboy.

The organizing committee of True Spirit Conference 2000 invites all gender variant people on the FTM (female to male) spectrum, and our significant others, friends, families, and allies (SOFFAs) of all gender variations to come celebrate the spirit within. The 3-day event will include workshops and information on a variety of topics such as spirituality, health and transition issues, FTM and SOFFA political, legal, relationship and employment concerns.

Conference Registration: Low Income or Student: $40 Regular: $60 until 1/1/00, $80 thereafter.

For more information, contact The American Boyz at (410) 620-2161 or via email at amboyz@iximd.com.

The 2000 rodeo year started up in 'Music City Texas', the beautiful city of Austin. While many of our ASGRA folks were unable to make it to this first rodeo of the new season so soon after finals, we did have a contingent of cowboys who made sure ASGRA's presence was noted: "Many things will catch your eye, few will catch your heart - Pursue those."

• Jeff Cannon managed to catch both a calf and 7th place on Saturday in Calf Roping on Foot and gave a fine performance in Barrel Racing both days, taking 6th on Saturday, 7th on Sunday and 4th overall
• Snowden Clarke combined roping and horse skills to take 7th place in Breakaway Roping on Sunday
• Russell Schnitz started another rodeo year with several stellar performances:
• First place both days and overall in Bull Riding
• 4th place on Saturday and 2nd place on Sunday in Steer Riding to take 2nd overall
• 2nd on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday in Calf Roping on Foot to finish 1st overall
• Along with fellow ASGRA member Jeff Cannon and Candy Pratt (TGRA), Russell's Wild Drag team placed 1st on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday to finish 1st overall for the event
• Sandra Anaya (AGRA) joined up with him to place 5th on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday in Team Roping, taking 5th place overall
• Russell teamed up with Candy Pratt for Team Roping as well and placed 5th on Sunday as a part of that duo
• He teamed up with Jeff Cannon again for Goat Dressing to place 2nd on Sunday
• Saturday was pretty good for Russell's skills on horseback; he placed 4th in Breakaway Roping and 5th in Flag Racing
• Overall this ASGRA cowboy took 2nd place for All Around Cowboy
  Dennis Terrell also started off R2K well, placing in the following events:
• The crowd got to see how polished a long-time team can be as Dennis joined with Andy Anaya (AGRA)to take 1st place both days and overall in Team Roping, 4th on Saturday and 1st on Sunday for 3rd place overall in Goat Dressing and a strong 3rd place on Sunday in Steer Deco
• Team Roping proved to be good for Dennis with partner Justin Dennis (CGRA) as well; they placed 4th on Saturday, 3rd on Sunday to take 4th place overall in the event
• Dennis kept the momentum going on his own as well, taking 2nd on Saturday in both Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing and 4th in Flag Racing
• Roping skills on foot were as good as on horseback, where Dennis caught both days, taking 1st on Saturday, 6th on Sunday to take 1st overall in Calf Roping on Foot
• He showed his rough stock skills in Chute Dogging, taking 2nd on Sunday to move him into 3rd place overall
• All these accomplishments earned him a 4th place spot as All Around Cowboy

  ASGRA's contestants earned a total of 1234 points to put ASGRA in 3rd place out of the 12 associations competing. A great start to a new rodeo year - nicely done folks!

  Congratulations to all our ASGRA competitors! Here's to a safe, fun and exciting Rodeo Year 2000!

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  It is with deep sadness that we must report the loss of a good friend to IGRA. In early December, stock contractor Clarence Bates of Kingfisher, Oklahoma was found shot to death in his home. He was 71 years old. As of December 28, there have been no arrests made in the murder, although a suspect is in custody that was apprehended in Texas while in possession of Clarence's truck.

  Clarence was a familiar face on the IGRA rodeo circuit for many years. He always had a joke, smile or supportive word (especially for new contestants) and treated everyone with respect and courtesy. For those working behind the chutes he was more than just the stock contractor they worked with, he was a friend.

  The members of ASGRA offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of Clarence Bates on their loss. He will be dearly missed.

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  The Social Scene

  "ASGRA 2000" is well underway and the Membership Committee is working hard to coordinate recruiting activities with the Social and Entertainment Committee, the Public Relations Committee and the Fundraising Committee. While we are working hard to bring in new members, we are also working on providing our current members with additional activities and membership benefits. Some new ideas have already been put in motion and keep an eye out for the implementation of others!

  Help wanted! I would like to encourage you to get involved and help us out on the membership committee. Remember, ASGRA is only as good as those who volunteer! We still could use a few good members to fill some committee liaison positions as membership committee representatives to other committees.

  The membership committee is currently updating the membership list database and transferring the database from an old program to Microsoft Access. Although we are not anticipating any problems, we will make every effort to correct any discrepancies that may arise. The next Membership Committee meeting will depend on the members' schedules. Please contact me for meeting dates, times and details.

  Special "Thank Yous" go out to:
  Committee member Ernie Kinneer for his work on the conversion of the membership database and to committee member Mark Whiting for his help on the redesign of the membership registration form. Thanks for all your help! I would also like to thank the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, Mr. Henrys and the 17th Street Bar and Grill for their generosity in letting us hold our committee meetings, Board meetings and General Membership meetings for November and December at their establishments. We GREATLY appreciate their support!

  I welcome your input and ideas and encourage all new members and seasoned members alike to help us make 2000 one of the best years yet for ASGRA! Lets Rodeo!
  Tim Bills, Membership Chair

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  Social and Entertainment is first out of the chute with a list of events that's longer than Don Horn's inseam: a couples dance contest held in conjunction with the planned Millennium March on Washington in April, the ever-popular dance tent at DC Pride in June, Hoe-down at the Baltimore Museum of Industry in July, plus road trips to other Pride festivities and to the Detroit, Atlanta and Chicago rodeos.

  S&E Chair 2000 Jim Morgan and his committee hit the ground running this past December 12th with the ASGRA Holiday membership meeting held at the 17th Street Bar and Grill in Washington, DC. Members were treated with punch (spiked and non) and cookies and then took turns sitting on Santa Collison's lap to let him know what they would like as stocking stuffers for this Christmas. Meanwhile, elf Lonni La Bel made notes on who was naughty or nice as she passed out the special gift certificates for those ASGRA members present at the meeting. The certificates entitle the recipient to a $5 discount on their membership renewal in July 2000. Attendees also received gift cards that allow them to purchase a 1/2 year membership for a friend at a reduced rate; perfect for that cowboy or cowgirl who has everything! In addition, 2 lucky winners were selected at random and each took home a bottle of fine wine donated by 2 of our members.

  Also, making her mark on the ASGRA calendar was Rodeo Events and Training Chair, Cindy Brendle. Plans are once again in place for regular training events at the monthly trail rides as well as another Rough Stock School in the spring. This year's plans are already in full swing for Atlantic Stampede 2000, which will be take place a month earlier this year on September 8-10. (And you know what that means - a lot warmer weather and little less clothing on those cowboys and cowgirls. There's a thought that'll keep you warm during these chilly winter months!)

  While you're marking your calendar for 2000, be sure to write in February 6 for ASGRA's Awards Event. This year the celebration will be held at Sheridan's (opening New Year's Eve 1999) on 8th Street, SE. For a quick reference on all ASGRA events, just clip out the calendar page of this newsletter and keep it on your refrigerator or visit www.asgra.org while making your weekend plans. That way you won't miss a thing. And believe me, you won't want to!
  Patrick Hunter

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  Chatter Around the E-Barn…

  NOTHING BUT 'NET!
  Why wait till the next rodeo to chat with your IGRA friends? 'Link up' with IGRA members online! Join the IGRA 'onelist'!
  

  Recent Royalty doings:
  Mr. ASGRA 2000, Sonny Koerner hosted a holiday party where donations of food were collected for Food & Friends
  First Runner-up Miss IGRA 2000, Miss Patty Como has been sighted using power tools at Sheridan's as they prepare for their opening
  Miss ASGRA 2000 managed to be in 2 places at once, shuttling between her own show at Chaos and Badlands to perform at the Grandma's House benefit

  Mark Your Calendars Now!
  Plans are in progress for 'Love Shack 2000', the annual Valentine's Weekend benefit for House of Ruth. The show (as well as Reddi Whip's Whipped Cream Auction) is planned for Sunday, February 13 at Club Chaos. The event will be co-hostessed by Ms. IGRA 2000 and Miss ASGRA 2000. Keep your eye on your mail for more details soon!

  ASGRA's Royalty team works hard to educate the general public on rodeo, ASGRA, IGRA and the C&W lifestyle, as well as to raise funds for our charities. (The 2000 recipients include AIDS Walk and BHT). We encourage you to continue the same fine support and enthusiasm that you showed us in 1999!

  Let's Cowboy and Cowgirl Up!

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  Royalty Roundup

  Country Jamboree at Club Chaos! Just a reminder… Miss ASGRA 2000, Miss Jymmye Jaymes is your hostess every Sunday evening for Country Jamboree at Club Chaos (at the corner of 17th & Q St. NW). Dance lessons are offered from 6-7:30pm with open dancing following from 7:30-9pm. At 9 and 10:30, Jymmye will emcee shows featuring the best of DC's live and illusionist talent (including your ASGRA and local IGRA Royalty), with open dancing both between shows and following the last show. For more details, contact Jymmye or Club Chaos see the Chaos webpage (www.chaosdc.com)

  IGRA ROYALTY UPDATE
  IGRA Royalty Team 2000 is off and running! The team began working together almost immediately after the IGRA Royalty competition was concluded. At the awards celebration at IGRA finals in Little Rock, the team helped to drum up some financial support for one of our IGRA members who had suffered serious injury during bareback bronc riding. It was a sign of this group's desire to work as a team that egos got out of the way and everyone shared the spotlight and microphone as we 'rallied the troops' for this cause. We all share many of the same desires for Team 2000: to work as a team on all levels, offer continued support and assistance to the individual association royalty teams as requested, raise funds in different and creative ways and provide a public presence that will make all our IGRA members proud.

  All nine of us have been busy making appearances and doing outreach in our individual communities. Here are some specific highlights from the most recent monthly reports from Daniel Lusk (Mr. IGRA 2000), Lonni La Bel (Ms. IGRA 2000) and Michael Vrooman aka Harley Quinn (Miss IGRA 2000):

  Michael/Harley was on the road almost immediately after finals, performing and assisting CGRA with their Royalty 2000 competition as well as co-emceeing and performing at the Royalty 2000 competition for NMGRA. Plans are currently in progress for several fundraisers at Charlie's in Chicago, as well as in Colorado in conjunction with Second Runner Up Mr. IGRA 2000, RJ Lobato.

  Daniel participated in a photo shoot for Club Chaos in DC to promote their new Country Jamboree on Sunday evenings. He has also performed at Club Chaos and at Rhinestone Review (the BHT Royalty Competition). Daniel also entertained at Christmas for Children, the annual benefit hosted by Blair Michaels to support Grandma's House, an organization that provides housing and support to children with HIV and AIDS. The benefit raised @$4100. Daniel and Lonni are both coordinating with Hope Kapture, Second Runner Up Ms. IGRA 2000 to attend MIGRA's Royalty 2000 competition at the end of January.

  Lonni performed at several DC-area events and clubs, including Remington's, Rhinestone Review, multiple appearances at Club Chaos and the Grandma's House benefit noted above. Additionally, she was introduced at the Miss Gay America DC 2000 pageant and did her monthly guitar/vocal performance at Franklyn's Coffeehouse café. Lonni is also working with Mr. UGRA 2000 on "Salute To Cowgirls", an event tentatively scheduled for the weekend of March 10-11 to benefit breast cancer awareness/support organizations and showcasing our own IGRA cowgirl contestants via photos and videotaped performances.

  The entire IGRA Royalty Team plans to be in Phoenix for Roadrunner Regional Rodeo 2000 in January to kick off a new century of IGRA rodeos!