Guys and Gals:

On this first Monday in Spring, thoughts turn naturally to warm weather, summer fun, and-sooner that you might think-Stampede 2004. The Board already is diligently working on this year's event. JR Key, our PR Chair, has been busy preparing promotional material for the rodeo. To describe the materials as "professional" is an understatement! They are truly eye-catching designs and layouts that will do the event (and the Association) credit. Mary Lynn Logsdon, our Fundraising Chair, has been going gangbusters securing sponsors, raising money at various fundraising events, and "showing the ASGRA flag" around town. Her efforts thus far have brought in thousands of dollars for this year's rodeo and the season is yet young! The Association is privileged to have CJ Liotta on board as our Social and Entertainment Chair. CJ served as our Stage Manager last year, "learning the ropes" from JR. He's in the saddle now and up to his ears with preparations for this September 10, 11, and 12.

Although we have been very lucky to have folks step forward and assume vital leadership roles, we're still looking for a Rodeo Director for this year's event. We have a number of past Directors who have a wealth of experience to share but no one with whom to share it. It would be in the Association's best interest to broaden our pool of potential Rodeo Directors so we'd be most delighted to have a new face or two volunteer. We can assure you of ample support and guidance. Won't you please consider volunteering to serve the Association in this exciting role?

With Spring we also have our annual call for By-Laws suggestions. If you have any By-Laws proposals, (changes to existing ones or new ones), please forward them by email to the By-Laws Committee at no later than March 30, 2004. Thanks!

Gaither Pennington, President

I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you all of privileges that come with being a member of ASGRA:

• The ability to compete in all IGRA-sanctioned rodeos
• No cover charge at Remington's on Friday & Saturday nights
• 10% discount on all purchases at Carol's Western Wear
• An average of 27.5% discount on Avis rental cars

**NEW** Saturday nights at Club Phoenix (1101 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD) - ASGRA members pay just $2.50 for all domestic beer.

Your privileges at Remington's, Carol's and Club Phoenix require you to show your membership card. These businesses are not required to grant these privileges to you if you do not have your card. On that same note, these businesses are doing ASGRA a favor by granting these privileges. Please be sure to thank the owners, managers and staff. Let them know you appreciate their support of gay rodeo and of ASGRA specifically.

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. 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 S., Membership Chair

Produced for the 300,000 gay men and women and 20,000 same-sex couple households in DC, VA and MD, Washington DC's first annual Gay Life & Wedding EXPO on Sunday April 4 from noon to 6pm is a groundbreaking event!

Here under one fabulous roof (The Galleria at Lafayette Center; 1155 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC), we're bringing together the region's most affluent and lucrative consumer affinity market face-to-face with the area's gay friendly and gay-owned businesses - all in a fun, friendly and exciting space!

The event focus is two-fold: Life Equality and Wedding or Union Ceremonies. The Wedding focus allows those committed couples seeking to openly express their union among friends and family to find those wanting to help. And whether large, small, formal or not, this event brings you those professionals who support you and want to help make your special union a reality! In terms of Life equality, you'll meet face-to-face with those supporting your right to equality. So whether your concerns and interests vary from adoption, legal, health and financial services to travel, fashion, party planning, novelty and pet products or even the fine and performing artists, there's something for everyone. And of course for the really fun part of the show, there will be tons of giveaways, including a 7 day trip to Denmark and day-long entertainment.

Info provided by Patrick Hunter

Regardless of the weather, ASGRA's monthly trail rides are held at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days: April 4th: April showers won't dampen our spirits as we look for early blooms in the forest. May 2nd: Spend the first weekend in May celebrating the beauty of the springtime trails. For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn at (703) 538-2225

Stories from the Trail
The March 7th trail ride was exceptional! The weather was perfect, sunny with the temperature in the high 60's (not too bad considering it was still wintertime).

A string of @25 horses departed the stable at 11:00am. It was so cute watching a couple of riders for their very first time, sitting there with that nervous little grin. By the time the riders returned, those same newbies looked like seasoned wranglers complete with that bow-legged walk. The good news was that everyone stayed up in the saddle and was able to enjoy a taste of life on horseback.

The folks at Piscataway Stables are great and have a horse that will meet the needs of about any rider. Whether you are a first timer or a seasoned rider, they have the perfect horse for you. I have two horses of my own and am in no way trying to promote the stables. For me it is nice to just show up and get on horse without any of the work and it's very enjoyable be able to spend an hour or two with other ASGRA members. With springtime just around the corner, I have a feeling that the little cowboy or cowgirl inside of you will be crying out "let's go horseback riding."

Give some thought about attending the monthly ride. Please do not forget to call Glenn and reserve your horse, he will take reservations up until 10:00pm on the night before the ride. Additional information (and directions) about the trail ride can be found on the ASGRA web site http://www.asgra.org/special/trail.htm. Happy Trails!

Tom? F., ASGRA Member

Morning: Roping - beginner through intermediate (unmounted) Afternoon: Horsemanship/cattle working (mounted - your horse or ours)

April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28, September 25, October 23
Against The Wind Ranch
Clarksburg, MD
301-540-0014

The entire ASGRA royalty team attended Cowtown Rodeo in Ft. Worth, TX where they helped to raise over $800 for local charities.

Destiny and Rudy joined the ASGRA posse that headed up to NYC for the GLBT Expo. They met many interesting people and they encourage anyone who can to try and make it next year!

Buddy and Cody recently were judges at the Maryland Leather Sir and Leather Boy competition. ASGRA Royalty sends its congratulations to new Maryland Leather Sir Bob Davis and Maryland Leatherboy Boy Ivan.

Join MsTer ASGRA at the Phoenix in Baltimore on Saturdays for Country night starting @ 9pm. ASGRA members get domestic beers for $2.50 with an ASGRA card. Cody will be your friendly bartender Saturdays as well as Thursdays for Ladies night. For more info and drink specials see www.baltimorephoenix.com

You can catch Destiny, Jymmye Jaymes and many current and former ASGRA Royalty every Sunday night at Freddie's Follies, starting at 9pm!!

From the interesting news files, ask your ASGRA Royalty team about their monkey socks…

The ASGRA 2004 Royalty Team Charities are:
SMYAL, Whitman Walker, Pediatric AIDS Foundation, St. Jude's Research Hospital and Camp Friendship

A Royal Congratulations

…from the 2004 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in April: Patrick Hunter, Ted Coleman, Alexander Yearley, Ray Mitchner, Ray Michener, Michael Butts, Richard Houghton, Karl Klingener, Anita N.! Happy Birthday to all of you!

(Note: If your birthday is this month and you aren't listed, we either don't have your birthday on file or you have requested that we not print your name. We wish you a happy birthday as well!)

2004 ASGRA Meeting Schedule
Board Meetings
April 8
May 13
June 10
July 8
August 12
August 26
October 14
November 11
December 9

Membership Meetings
April 18
July 11
Elections to be held during AS 2004 weekend
October 10

Lots going on in the dance arena all along the east coast! Here are some of the upcoming activities and events:

The Big Apple Ranch, NYC's biggest and best gay & lesbian country/western dance club is celebrating its 7th Anniversary Dance on Saturday April 10. As always, a beginning two-step class and line dance class is included with admission. Classes at 8pm, open dancing from 9pm to 1am. Special performances by the Manhattan Prairie Dogs of NYC, the Othersiders of Virginia Beach, VA and Russel Halley & Jorge Guzman. All the proceeds will go to benefit NGLTF in the fight for gay marriage equality.

Saturday, April 10th - Ballroom, Salsa, Swing and Tango "Dance-&-Learn Party and classes" at The Chevy Chase Ballroom, 5207 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington DC FROM 8:00 PM UNTIL MIDNIGHT. Hosted by Terry Chasteen and The Friendship Society of Washington DC. www.GayDanceSport.com. Request a 2-for-the-price of-1 pass when one of those is a first-time attendee at .

If you've never been to a Gay/Lesbian Dance Convention, here's your chance to see how much fun they are. The 7th Annual Saltwater Hoedown hosted by The Othersiders Country Western Dance Club in Norfolk, Virginia, will take place on April 16-18, 2004. Events include the 5th Annual Saltwater International Dance Competition, all-day workshops, dance performances, and two nights of open dancing from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. http://othersiders.com/hoedown/2004/index.htm

Saturday, April 17th, 2004 - "DC Different Drummer's 2nd annual LGBT Prom". www.DCDD.org .

Friday, April 30th - "Invite someone to Church FIFTH FRIDAY FEAST AND FLING" Pot Luck Dinner and dance www.LambdaDanceSport.org

And don't forget
IGRA NATIONAL FINALS DANCE COMPETITION

The International Gay Rodeo Association will be holding its National Finals Dance Competition in Denver, Colorado on November 13, 2004. Contestants will be representing Rodeo Associations from around the U.S. and Western Canada, vying for beautiful buckles, trophies and ribbons, and the coveted title of IGRA National Dance Champion, 2004!

The competition is open to both Couple and Line Dancers of all levels of ability, from a novice who has never before competed all the way to a professional dancer or instructor. The Couple can be made up of two men, two women, or one man and one woman. Many local Associations will be holding their own, qualifying, competitions in the coming months. These competitions will determine who the Association will send to the Finals. However, if your Association doesn't hold a competition, simply contact your Board of Directors. Most will be happy to sanction you as their entry into the Finals. Some Associations even pay the entry fees for their competitors.

The Finals Competition is a great evening of dancing and fun and an opportunity to meet other dancers from around the country and to learn new steps and style techniques. There are four divisions in the Couples section and two in Line Dance so you will only be competing against others of your same ability level. Costuming is up to you. Although you must follow the guidelines, you can be as simple as both members of the couple wearing the same shirt on up to, well, use your imagination! Check out igra.com and click on Dance for the rules, entry form, music, and line dances for 2004. If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to email the Dance Committee Chair via the link found there or at .

There are fabulous dancers in gay country bars all across this country - let's see you all in Denver!