At each IGRA rodeo, the Trustees present are responsible for monitoring host association rules compliance, handling contestant protests, and dealing with emergency matters (tornados, mud, etc.) related to the competition. Trustees meet for a few minutes on the Friday night before contestant registration to make the monitoring assignments and discuss last minute issues, and then hold a rodeo review meeting on Sunday evening, 30 minutes after the close of the rodeo. With approximately 20 rodeos being held each year, it is practically impossible for any Trustee to attend each rodeo. Indeed, with two double rodeo weekends this year, it is impossible. Thus, IGRA has established a method for having alternates serve to assist with these important oversight tasks.

In order to have ASGRA representation at as many events as we can, I would like to ask anyone who is attending rodeos this season who has an interest in acting in the "Alternate Trustee" position, to please contact me and let me know your desire to serve. I can then provide the proper paperwork and notifications to allow you to serve as our Alternate in my place. If you have any particular questions about what is involved, please contact me at trustee@asgra.org. And if you can provide your service at any upcoming rodeos, that would be a big help toward increasing our representation on the rodeo review boards. It would be a great learning experience for you and would help to support and improve the rodeos on our circuit.

Michael Lentz, ASGRA Trustee

Submissions for the May newsletter are due April 18.

ASGRA is looking for a few good cowboys/ cowgirls to help out with its PR functions. Promoting the country/western lifestyle is part of ASGRA's mission. It takes a team of many to help achieve this goal. Be part of that team.

Specifically ASGRA need folks in the following areas:

Photography - pro or amateur shutterbugs. Folks who would be willing to share their talent and take some digital pictures for advertisements for Atlantic Stampede 2005.

Models - Folks who feel that they are a good representative of ASGRA and the country/western lifestyle are needed for tasteful photography shoots for advertisements for Stampede 2005. We are a looking for all types: men, women and transgender individuals who would be interested in taking part.

Ad Designers - Folks who are interested in putting together ads for Atlantic Stampede and other association functions; layout to final design.

Copy writers - We need folks who are good with the written word to help promote ASGRA in the best light possible for advertisements, press releases, articles and the web.

Editors/proofers - there are a number of requirements that ASGRA has with its various sponsors that we need to ensure are being followed so we can keep them happy. We are in need of eagle-eyed folks who can catch mistakes/misprints or missteps in this area and help keep us on the steady road.

Media researchers - ASGRA is looking to expand its market beyond the WDC area. We need folks who can do some research and find out what other possibilities there are out there for promoting the rodeo; press releases, print, web, radio. Where they are, what the cost is, deadlines, publication dates, distribution areas and the like.

Ad liaisons - once we have decided where we want to do our advertising, we need folks to help us ensure we meet whatever timeframe and specs are needed for the intended targets.

Distribution folks - once the promotional items are printed we need folks who can help us get them to their intended destinations. If you have any time to spare at all, we can connect with you to get you some needed materials and help us spread the word on rodeo. If you have a talent that you use in your day to day work that could be applicable to any of the above mentioned needs, we can use you. Any time you can spare is appreciated. There are never too many hands to help. If interested contact

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 3rd: Welcome in the early spring flowers with a leisurely trot through the field and forest!
May 1st: Happy May Day! Warmer weather means more time to explore the springtime trails!

For further information, contact Patrick at 202-352-2356.

T-Town Rodeo 2005 SSGRA Tulsa, OK April 8-10, 2005
Bighorn Rodeo 2005 NGRA Las Vegas, NV April 22-24, 2005
Rodeo in the Rock 2005 DSRA Little Rock, AK April 22-24, 2005

ASGRA is hosting its 14th annual Rodeo Training School the weekend of April 30 & May 1, 2005. Training sessions begin at 9:00 am each day and run until @5pm with a noon break. Lunch will be provided by ASGRA for all participants. The event will take place at Classic Rodeo Ranch, in York Springs, PA, off Route 15 just north of the MD/PA state line near Gettysburg. Beginning/intermediate instruction and practice in calf roping on foot, chute dogging, steer riding, and steer decorating will be offered. All events will be run both days, with a flat fee of $100 per student. Classic Rodeo Ranch allows camping on the grounds and can provide trailer hookups for $35 for the weekend. There are also several hotels available within 15 miles of Classic Rodeo Ranch. Pre-registration by April 23 is required in order for us to provide adequate supplies and livestock for the weekend. (See the enclosed Rodeo School brochure and registration forms.) For more info, contact Lonni La Bel at .

On Saturday, Rudy Benavides placed 2nd, Bailey Kier placed 3rd and Sonny Koerner placed 6th in Steer Riding. On Sunday Bailey placed 2nd in Steers, placing 3rd overall. On Sunday Richard Houghton placed 5th in Chute Dogging and Ric Legg, Rudy Benavides and Elodie H. placed 1st in Wild Drag with a time of 16.7 seconds. They came in 4th overall. Ric and Rudy placed 3rd in Goat Dressing on Saturday and 4th on Sunday for an overall 3rd place finish. Team ASGRA racked up 425 points.

Remember all the fun you had as a kid at those spaghetti dinners that you and your parents went to in church basements or firehouses? Well, we are bringing it back...with a country twist. The 2005 Royalty Team is doing something a little different. They are hosting a Spaghetti Dinner to benefit the victims of the Tsunami disaster.

When: Saturday May 7th
Where: The Odd Fellows Temple
Address: 105 N. Maple Ave.; Falls Church, VA
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door

Cash bar and dancing will be available. Special Mothers Day gift for all moms. Tickets are available on the ASGRA web page through April 29 and are also available for purchase from any Royalty Team member. If you would like to help with this benefit, please contact Ms. ASGRA 2005 Busty Bottoms at msasgra@asgra.org. Come out and help us support the victims of the Tsunami disaster.

2 9pm WigAID benefit at Nation to benefit SMYAL
3 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
3 TBD ASGRA General Membership Meeting; location TBD
5 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
8 9:30pm "Cherries on the Range" benefit ASGRA charities
12 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
13 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
13 9:30pm Bud Light Pool Tournament at the Green Lantern
14 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel
19 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
20 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
26 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
28 5-8pm Social Hour at Remington's hosted by Mr. ASGRA 2005; to benefit SLDN
30 5-9pm Charity Happy Hour at Titan; Bud Light draft proceeds go to ASGRA
30 9:30pm Bud Light Pool Tournament at Titan

2005 ASGRA Meeting Schedule

Board Meetings
April 14
May 12
Membership Meetings
April 3

from the 2005 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in April:
Mark Heare, John Korman, Patrick Hunter, Ted Coleman, Alexander Yearley, Ray Michener, Michael Butts, Michael Whitmarsh, Richard Houghton, Amy B., Karl Klingener and Anita Nylander.

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!)

The 2005 ASGRA Royalty team would like to thank everyone who attended the 'Celebration of Life' for Courtney Lovelace (Miss ASGRA 2003) at Remington's on March 12th.

It was a wonderful event and we raised over $1200 to assist her family with expenses.