  | Volume XII, Issue 10 October 2003 | Last update Jan 21, 2020 |
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A New Year's Message from the President
Guys and Gals,
Although there was a decrease in the number of Weekend Passes sold this year, our rodeo gate counts for Saturday and Sunday exceeded last year's. We also hosted a larger crowd at the Stampede Jamboree on Friday. While there are a few bills outstanding, it appears that we will be able to add to our $6,000.00 "rainy day fund" as well as making charitable donations. Particular thanks for a job well done go first to our volunteers and contestants, to Billy Collison, Mike Lentz, our Rodeo Officials, Rodeo Coordinators, Chute and Arena crews for a rodeo without a hitch or fine, to JR Key, for hospitality arrangements and wonderful entertainment, to Scott Smiley and his treasury staff for coordinating finances, to Frank Harrell for his wonderful website and photography, to David H and his security staff for keeping us safe, to Mary Lynn Logsdon and her "sales" staff for securing buckle sponsors not only for competition buckles but for added honors including the Dolly Madison Race, to Diane Mejia and Tamsen Ricketts for coordinating volunteers, to Mike Sanders for keeping the membership and Board in touch and on the same page, and speaking of pages, to Lonni LaBel our indefatigable Newsletter Editor. Special thanks also to Patrick Hunter for always being there when something or someone needs help. Most of all, thanks to our patrons and to everyone who joined with us to celebrate Stampede weekend. As I close, please remember our Annual Elections and Awards Gala on October 19th. Please make plans to join with us to recognize those whose work and dedication make ASGRA the model that it is. If you haven't cast your ballot, please do so-either by mail, on the internet, or in person. Remember that the Association's continued success depends on the membership. We're always looking for a few good men and women-won't you please share your skill and talent? Thanks! Gaither Pennington, ASGRA President "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
 The Membership Corner
Howdy all, Another year has passed and it has been a good year for ASGRA. We had a successful rodeo, made new friends and our membership grew. With the help of Mary Lynn Logsdon, we held 2 wonderful Membership drives this year. Earlier this year we did the first membership survey. From this survey, we were able to learn what you, our members, want from the association, where we can improve and what we are doing that you like. Some of your suggestions have already been put into place. Others will take some time to implement, but in time they you will see them as well.
We also started a Yahoo! email group for ASGRA members, a place where you can find roommates, rodeo partners, etc. You can access the list thru Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASGRA_Connections/. 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 and special events, and to receive your newsletter. And lastly, 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 checking the web page for all announcements and updates on upcoming events. It has been my pleasure to serve as your Membership Chair this year. Mike Sanders, Membership Chair OCTOBER ONLY!!!!!!!
ALL STAMPEDE T-SHIRTS & PINS: ONLY $1 (Including 2003)
SIZES AND QUANTITIES LIMITED SALE RUNS OCTOBER 1ST THRU 31ST, AFTER THIS DATE, THESE PRODUCTS WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE!  Happy Trails To You!
Remember, ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am! I joined ASGRA back in 2001 and have never done much more than to carry my membership and go to the Rodeo. After this year's Stampede, I decided to become more involved and get to know some of the other members. On Saturday morning I joined the ASGRA Connections site on Yahoo. Before lunch time another member had already left me a nice message and asked if I would like to come on the September Trail Ride the next day. Not having anything planned for that Sunday, I decided "What the heck" and called to reserve a spot for the ride. Over a dozen ASGRA members showed up for the Sunday morning ride, some of whom had never ridden a horse before. I heard a few comments about the strange odors of the barn and the horses. (I often wonder what we smell like to the horses.) The ride started just a little after 11:00am. Within minutes the group was off to explore the Great Outdoors.
About half way through the ride I noticed a small fawn (a baby deer for some of you city folks) lying in the lush green brush. I simply pointed to the fawn so the others behind me would see that special treat of nature resting peacefully. Later, as we moved deeper into the forest we saw more deer walking along a wooded ridge. At the end of the ride, with everyone was back at the corral, I noticed something very interesting - no one seemed to complain about the smell of the barnyard as they did before the ride started!
I have my own horses and ride regularly with my Search & Rescue Mounted Unit for the State of Maryland. For me, the Sunday ride was a nice treat because I did nothing (other than pay $20) to get ready for the ride. I used their horse and tack, plus they even saddled the horses for everyone. The folks I met at the ride were wonderful and I now have friends that I never met before Sunday. I would like to thank Glenn and the folks at Piscataway Stables for sponsoring such a wonderful monthly event, for our ASGRA Family.
17th Annual IGRA Finals Rodeo in Tulsa, OK  Mixing Business and Pleasure
On Sunday, October 19, ASGRA will hold our annual volunteer appreciation event from 4-8pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, DC (Host Hotel for Atlantic Stampede 2003). The event is open to all members, and is intended to give a special thanks to those folks who have contributed their time and energy to help ensure another productive and successful year for ASGRA. So far this year, in addition to our hugely successful annual Atlantic Stampede rodeo weekend, ASGRA has hosted or participated in a variety of events to help promote the Association, including:
J.R. Key, Social & Entertainment Chair 2003
Here is what they are saying about Atlantic Stampede 2003: "I just wanted to send along my congratulations to everyone involved in this year's rodeo. Two friends and I attended the Saturday events in Gaithersburg and had a wonderful time. It is hard to imagine how very complicated it must be to organize something of this magnitude. We were impressed with the organization, the friendliness of ASGRA members/crew and the management of the site! Too, we were touched by the flag parade and certainly by the Riderless Horse ceremony… The event was spectacular!"
"You guys were amazing and WHAT an Amazing weekend. We got great stuff and had a great time…and needless to say, I promise to be more active in ASGRA - it's just too many great people just to be a dues payer."
"I would like to thank you for a job well done. I have put on horse shows and events for many years and I understand the amount of time and work that you all put into this past weekend… Please don't stop what you are doing so that we all are able to enjoy this event."
"I just wanted to thank all of you for such a great weekend. The arena was the best I have seen and all of you were great. Thanks for letting me be a part of your rodeo and I hope we can do it again next year." "As usual ASGRA put on another excellent rodeo, well done." "Atlantic Stampede 2003 was very exciting for me. As one ASGRA member described it, "It's a party with a rodeo stuck in between" and that it was. It appeared like everyone was having a great time and I recommend that, if given the opportunity, you make an effort to get to Stampede 2004."
ATLANTIC STAMPEDE 2003 BUCKLE WINNERS and Sponsors
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We added a Family membership level this year and 36 members (18 families) have taken advantage of this option. We also added 2 new Lifetime Members, 1 new Golden Saddle Member and several new Silver Spurs Members. Research Travel joined as a Business Member, joining the ranks with Carol's Western Wear.
As we left the corral area the first thing that we saw was a flock of Canadian geese feeding in a large field. Entering the woodlands, it was hard to remember that we were only 30 minutes from Capitol Hill. As the riders settled down with their mounts there was an overall feeling of becoming one with nature. A few minutes into the ride we saw a red fox resting atop a steep bank that overlooked a babbling stream. The little guy scampered away after about half of the group had discovered him.
"It was a great time! I had a blast at the fairgrounds and enjoyed working with the performers. I've done lots of events, and have to say this one was one of the best I've had the pleasure of working. I received many compliments from folks about how much they enjoyed the music in the dance tent, and that makes it all worthwhile. When the crowd you're playing for is pleasant it makes the job easy and fun - and when they are dancing and partying, well, that's the DJ's highest compliment of all."
Although Atlantic Stampede 2003 was blessed with beautiful weather and record attendance, we did suffer a loss of one of our horse competitors as a result of a freak accident during the barrel event on Sunday afternoon. Buddy was Susan Blalock's horse; the injury he suffered as a result of his fall was too severe for the vet to be able to save him. There was a huge outpouring of grief, compassion and support on the part of both the spectators and contestants, along with over $3000 raised in spontaneous donations. Susan sent the following letter and requested that we share it with ASGRA and everyone who was at the rodeo. The condolences of the entire ASGRA family go out to Susan and Bren on their loss.
