Guys and gals:

I hope that this rainy weather hasn't gotten you down. I know for my part, I'm looking forward to some uninterrupted sunshine! The mention of rain though, brings something to mind-namely the ASGRA volunteers who slogged through the rain and mud to relocate the Association's arena fencing and roping chute on May 10th. Thanks to everyone to worked so hard to make the move possible. Special thanks go to Jason Hays for coordinating the effort and to Andy Pittman and Louis Varnado for their gracious offer to allow us to "host it" at their new ranch in Maryland. And since I'm on the subject of rain, let me congratulate the men and women who didn't allow it to stop their participation in our May 17th & 18th Rodeo School! We had 15 folks who participated in training in calf roping, breakaway roping, chute dogging, and steer riding. If you're sorry you missed the training, we're having another Rodeo School on August 9 and 10. Check our website www.asgra.org for more information.

As May draws to a close, I hope that you've remembered Hoedown 2003 on the Inner Harbor in Baltimore on June 14th for your "must do" list. Again, check the website for information, tickets, or directions. Since I'm talking about June, don't forget that ASGRA will be participating in Pride events in Washington, Baltimore, and New York. We're always looking for volunteers to organize, march, distribute flyers, etc. If you are interested in helping with any of these Pride events, please contact me by email or by phone.

Before I close, I'd again like to thank everyone for all the hard work that's needed to make our events take place. I know that from the outside they look effortless, but nothing could be further from the truth. We're always looking for folks willing to share time and talents. If you can spare some time for the Association, please let anyone on the Board know. In addition to the social events I've mentioned, we're looking for members to serve on this year's Nominating Committee and next year's By-Laws Committee. Take a moment to volunteer!

Gaither Pennington, President

Rodeo School was held May 17-18. Although it was cold and rainy, a good time was had by all. Not only did everyone have a chance to meet other ASGRA members, but we have identified several new potential competitors!

MEMBERSHIPS ARE UP FOR RENEWAL DURING JULY!!! Renewal forms will be sent out with the July newsletter. They will also be available in the Membership section of the web page.

Membership meetings have been canceled for the remainder of the 2003-year, with the exception to the July and October meetings. The July meeting will be held in conjunction with the Delaware Hoedown on Sunday July 13th.

In response to several requests, an ASGRA email list has been set up. This list can be used to find rodeo partners, rides, roommates, etc. You can access the list thru Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASGRA_Connections/. You will not be added to this list unless you subscribe to it, and you can set how you receive messages. Subscribing is easy and free.

Remember to keep me up to date on any changes in your personal information. This way, you will continue to be informed of meeting notices, special events, and receive your newsletter. And last, as your membership chair, I serve as your liaison to the board. If you have concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to bring them to my attention. I can be reached by email or by phone (see sidebar). Keep check on the web page for all announcements and updates on upcoming events.

Mike Sanders, Membership Chair

Atlantic Stampede continues our tradition in 2003 to provide the highest quality all-around line-up of rodeo entertainment. This year, ATLANTIC STAMPEDE weekend has a Sunday evening CONCERT with popular Country band LACE, along with a dance at the Hyatt Regency. You won't want to miss the show! Tickets to the concert will be available as part of the weekend pass or separately priced. Start making plans now to be in DC this fall!

Check our website frequently (www.asgra.org), as new information and details are posted. Tickets for this event will be available on-line beginning in June 2003.

J.R. Key, S&E Chair

Howdy there, all. I've just returned from the land of potatoes and boy do they know how to grow them in Idaho; the studs as well as the spuds! The mountains are not the only scenery to be taken in by the eye at Idaho Gay Rodeo Association's Spring Round Up. Of course Mother Nature teased us all by threatening to put a damper on the festivities, but in the end she punched a doughnut hole in the clouds to shine down on the Rocking R Ranch in the outskirts of Kuna.

The outdoor rodeo activities actually kicked off the night before at the Emerald City Club with a special indoor rodeo event. The competition was fast and furious as competitors wove their way around the barrel pattern on tricycles. A couple of pit stops were to be had as some of the "less delicate" girls yanked the handle bars right off the tri-cycles! Special thanks to pit crew Angie Butchner and David Burgdorf for breaking out the "Homo Depot" tools and getting everything back on track. And there are a few cowboys who would like to thank David personally for their competition in the Fanny Flag race. An event much similar to the flag race seen on horseback, but this event uses the two live cowboys or cowgirls to serve as the "buckets" where you pick up and place the flag. I hear tell that David is still pulling hankies out of his pants…

Saturday brought a crowd of over eighty to the Rocking R for the Round Up competition. Over half of those folks competed as well, including newcomer Cowboy Cory, a new-to-Boise fellow that the IDGRA gang met on Thursday night. Boy, did he put a up a good effort during the Martha Washington race, a relay that consists of two 3-person teams and a barrel each of wigs, housedresses and shoes. Each team member "passes the baton" of the costume part to the next member to get dressed and over the finish line in the best time. Cory and Jeff Taylor, IDGRA President 2002, wrestled over those heels like two drag queens at a Pay Less "Buy one, get one free sale"!

Another exciting moment happened during the goat dressing and was put on by Spitunia the goat. Apparently Spitunia is the wonder woman of goats as she managed to snap the rope that harnessed her for the event and run Lee Gillman and Lester Liu and about a half dozen of the other attendees ragged as they tried to catch the runaway goat. As TAM, IDGRA Trustee, put it. "Is this a lap time event?"

Other noteworthy items from the IDGRA weekend was Angie Butchner's placing in the Barrel and Pole bending events; the first time that she had ever done the events on horseback, (special thanks to Cowgirl Kathy and Rick Frederickson for the loan of their horses), Cowboy Cory's placement in the poles on foot, Steve B. and Cowboy James' turns on the barrel ride.

Big congratulations to Britannia LeFleur and Cowboy James who were crowned Miss and Mr. IDGRA 2003-2004 respectively. And big thanks to Mr. Rob Newburn for the use of the Rocking R Ranch and all the work he did in helping to put on the indoor and outdoor rodeo events. Look for pictures from the Roundup on the ASGRA website coming early June!

Patrick Hunter, Roving Cowboy Reporter

A member has asked me to post this question to the membership in the hopes someone out there might have some suggestions:

What plants have people found which, while not toxic to horses, are avoided by them? I'm looking to develop a mix of herbs and ornamentals which, while perhaps occasionally nibbled a bit, will not be completely destroyed. Database searches of American, Canadian, and European libraries have yielded no results, nor have questions sent to any US government agencies. So far, I've had some success with alliums (onion-family plants), daffodils, daylilies, and true lilies. (Yes, they get nibbled, but not utterly consumed.) I would very much appreciate hearing if anyone else has any suggestions. Contact Vlad c/o

ASGRA Royalty Past and Present are featured every Sunday night at Freddie's Follies, an evening of live and drag performances at Freddie's Beach Bar & Grill in Arlington. Hosted by former Miss ASGRAs Blair Michaels and Jymmye Jaymes, the show begins at 9pm and runs till 11pm with one brief intermission. Come out and party during Pride month with the ASGRA herd!

June 2003 2: 7:30pm Atlantic Stampede 2003 Planning Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel
6: 11:00am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
7-8: DC Pride Parade & Festival
11: 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
14: Baltimore Pride Parade & Festival
14: 8:00pm Hoedown on the Harbor 2003; Baltimore Museum of Industry, Baltimore, MD
18: 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
28-29: NYC Pride Parade and Festival

On Sunday June 8 join us at the DC Pride Festival for an afternoon of line-dance lessons, mechanical bull rides and lots of two-steppin' fun at the ASGRA dance tent - always one of the most popular attractions of the DC Pride Festival. Then it's another weekend of fun when ASGRA takes our pride on the road to the Baltimore Pride celebration on Saturday June 14, Come join us for the parade and block party before heading over to Hoedown on the Harbor. Then wrap up the month with the annual Pride Posse trip to the NYC Pride Parade and Festival on June 28-29.

Hoedown on the Harbor 2003
Saturday June 14th, 2003
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Ticket prices: $15 advance/$20 door

Spend the day enjoying Baltimore's Gay Pride Festival; then spend the hot summer night where the Cowboys and Cowgirls play, at the Hoedown on the Harbor. We'll be boot-scootin' all night under an open-air pavilion down on the waterfront of the Baltimore Inner Harbor. We'll provide plenty of food, drinks, good music, and a special guest performance by the DC Cowboys. Add in a cool breeze ... the harbor lights … and all we need is you to complete the mix for the area's best country western dance party of the summer. Tickets for this event are available for purchase online (www.asgra.org) and at local Lambda Rising bookstores. (Volunteers needed!)

Rehoboth Hoedown
Sunday, July 13th, 2003, 1-5pm
Henlopen State Park, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Take your boots to the beach! ASGRA will host an afternoon tea dance at Rehoboth Beach under the pavillion at State Henlopen Park. Skip the afternoon rush traffic rush and join us for food, drink, music, and dancing outdoors. Stay tuned for more details.

We had a great turn-out - 13 members the first day and 9 on Sunday that included some from Saturday and some that made it for only Sunday. The food was compliments of ASGRA and yours truly, Chef Billy, with help from members of classic Rodeo with the Saturday evening cookout that included Steamed Shrimp.

Although some folks came back on Sunday moving a bit more slowly and with bumps and bruises, there were no serious injuries. Just wanted to say thank you to all the participants who came, learned and performed, as well as to Carl, Michelle and the Classic Rodeo Gang for providing a space for us to learn, animals for us to practice with and a place to stay dry. Additional thanks to Jen, Lonni, Cindy and Mike L. for being great teachers of IGRA rules, and for the use of their safety equipment and bull ropes. It takes a team to put on a Rodeo School and this was a great team! Don't forget the next Rodeo School in August, 9th and 10th, 2003!
Billy Collison, Rodeo Director

"The rodeo school was fantastic! Do it once, and you'll be hooked. It's an amazing adrenaline rush, great group of folks both teaching and learning, and an overall excellent way to get involved with the rodeo on a totally different level. Count me in for the next one in August!"

"Everyone is always so busy at the annual Rodeo. I am not from the immediate DC area, so it was a great opportunity to hang out with ASGRA folks in an extended, relaxed event. I expected beans and franks, but instead Billy treated us to an amazing smorgasbord! I faced some major fears wrestling one steer and climbing on the back of another, but my (new!) friends and the incredibly patient and helpful handlers surrounded me with their encouragement and confidence. I drew upon that unexpected camaraderie for the courage to "hang on" for the ride of my life!"

my thoughts...a supported environment and the perfect place for me to learn for the first time...so much fun"

"Rodeo school was the most enjoyable weekend I've had in a while. The ASGRA folks and the people who run Classic Rodeo Productions put a whole lot of effort into making the entire weekend a safe, fun and memorable event. I was encouraged to push myself in a controlled, low pressure and safe environment and feel as though I had an extremely successful weekend learning how to chute dog, steer ride, and calf rope. This rodeo school was more than worth the low fee that was charged--it is so much safer and enjoyable to learn like this rather than getting on an animal at a rodeo in a competitive environment and not knowing what you're doing. Thanks so much to all the ASGRA folks--especially Mike Lentz, Mike Sanders, Lonni, Billy, and Frank. And even more thanks and appreciation to Classic Rodeo Productions--Carl, Levi, Codi, and Chance!"

"We were only able to make Saturday but WOW what a Day it was! Billy, You did a GREAT job with the food table and making sure there were plenty of food and drinks supplied all throughout the day. The school instructors were really knowledgeable and patient, as well as encouraging with us newbies. I especially liked the safety walk-throughs at the beginning of each event. A PLUS to anyone just learning and a great way to refresh for those who might need a little subtle reminder to not take the sport of Rodeo lightly or what might appear to be a simple safety feature for granted. I learned so much about some of the events I hope to compete in at the DC rodeo too! … the laughter and camaraderie was really a boost to my first time Calf roping attempts. 3 CHEERS to everyone, those behind the scenes and to those present that helped make this Rodeo School so much fun and successful for those attending, both new and experienced. I will definitely come to the next school in August. A side note to anyone reading with thoughts of giving this weekend a whirl... this event is definitely worth the drive, time and effort to attend."

"The Rodeo school is a great opportunity to meet other ASGRA members outside the DC area. Everyone comes together in the sprint of training and support. ASGRA is fortunate to have a place like York Springs Equestrian Center to train in. Carl, Michelle, Levi and the entire Leach family offer support, advice, and are a wonderful asset to ASGRA. This is our second year of training there and I would encourage everyone who even thinks they would like to compete in Rodeo to come be a part of this wonderful experience."

And a final note of congrats to Patrick Gaither who won a gift certificate to Freddie's Beach Bar with his 8 correct choices at the ASGRA ACM Party on May 21. We had a lively bunch of cowfolk in attendance to sing along with, dance to, cheer, applaud and ogle their favorite C&W stars.