The 2005 Annual IGRA Convention will go "International" for the first time ever this October 20-23, hosted by the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Convention will take place in conjunction with the IGRA Country/Western Dance Competition. Convention seminars, meetings and convention floor activities will take place at the host facility, the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire. Dance and social activities are being planned in other locations around the city. There is even a special program being developed for "traveling partners" (aka rodeo widows) of our participants. See www.argra.org for more information.

IGRA Convention serves as a forum for officials' training, committee meetings, and review and modification of operating procedures and rodeo rules. The delegation also selects IGRA officers and future convention and finals rodeo sites. ASGRA can have up to eleven full representatives and an unlimited number of guests as part of our delegation. It is essential that our members be present to represent the interests of our association and contribute to the work of IGRA.

ASGRA bylaws provide that we select the members of our delegation well ahead of the annual convention so we are now seeking members who are interested in serving as our representatives. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the business of IGRA and how ASGRA's work and activities fit into the overall mission of IGRA. Our association has allocated funds to pay for convention registration and to help defray a portion of the costs for our attendees.

The ASGRA Board will begin selection of delegation members soon in order to complete the process by the end of July but we would like to begin developing our delegation list now to provide ample time for planning and making the necessary travel arrangements. Any current ASGRA member who has an interest in serving in our convention delegation should contact IGRA Trustee, Mike Lentz, by e-mail at or by phone at 301-770-9363 before June 7th.

Michael Lentz, ASGRA Trustee

Submissions for the June newsletter are due May 23.

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.

Patrick Hunter

ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am!
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:
May 1st: Happy May Day! Warmer weather means more time to explore the springtime trails!
June 5th: Take a trot through the Maryland woodlands in late spring!
For further information, contact Patrick at 202-352-2356.

Upcoming 2005 IGRA Rodeos

Rodeo Wichita 2005 KGRA Wichita, KS May 13-15, 2005
Comstock Stampede HSRA Reno, NV May 13-15, 2005
Great Plains Rodeo OGRA Oklahoma City, OK May 27-29, 2005

This year, ASGRA and Carol's Western Wear will be awarding the first annual "Billy Collison Volunteer Award". This award will be given to a volunteer for ASGRA and Stampede 2005. Billy was deeply involved in many aspects of our community and the word volunteer was truly his middle name. Please keep in mind all those who work hard at ASGRA all year and make a nomination in June and July for this special belt buckle which will be donated by Carol's Western Wear. The award will be awarded at Atlantic Stampede 2005 on Sunday during Grand Entry.

NY Pride is coming! The date is Sunday June 26 and parade line up will be @ 11 am. More info coming soon; contact to volunteer.

We are seeking out people that would be interested in running for the executive board of ASGRA. This year, we will be electing people for the following positions:
President and Treasurer; for 2 year terms
ASGRA Trustee; 3 year term.
For more information on these positions or to serve on the Nominations Committee, contact Rachel Barnett at or 301-806-2410.

Royalty Roundup

Spaghetti Dinner: CANCELED
Regrettably, we have had to cancel the May 7 Royalty Spaghetti dinner due to low ticket sales

On April 2, Destiny B. Childs (Miss IGRA 1st RU 2005), Jymmye Jamyes (Miss ASGRA 2005), Busty Bottoms (Ms. ASGRA 2005) and Rudy Benavides (Mr. ASGRA 2005) helped to raise $3000 at the Wig Aid II benefit at Nation. The proceeds were split between SMYAL & Youth Pride.

Any ASGRA members who would like to participate in Baltimore Pride's 'Block Party' on June 18th from 5-9pm, please contact Rudy at

May 2005
3 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
5 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
10 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
11 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
12 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel
17 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
18 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
24 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
31 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities

2005 ASGRA Meeting Schedule Board Meetings May 12

A Royal Congratulations

from the 2005 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in May:
Joseph Lipani, Bill Thompson, Edward Higgins,
Bob Johns, Mark Wofford, Will Trokey, Scott Morton,
Mary Lynn Logsdon, Jeff Renninger, Ken Withers,
Rudy Benavides and Michael Kramer.
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 Things We Do For Charity:

April 3rd started a 2-week fundraiser by Rudy Benavides, Mr. ASGRA. The challenge: to raise $1,000 for the SLDN (Servicemen's Legal Defense Network). The payoff? Rudy would get in drag and perform 2 numbers during the Freddie's Follies Show on April 17th.

Well, Rudy met and exceeded his goal, raising $1,215 and Sharon Husbands was born.

We have a great group of ASGRA rodeo competitors out on the circuit in every event. Here are a few of the ASGRA stars to follow this year:

Rudy Benavides competed last year in Steer riding and Bull Riding and was invited to finals after just a half year of competition. Rudy will be adding Goat Dressing and Wild Drag to his event list this year.

Ric Legg is another relatively new contestant on the circuit. In addition to being Miss IGRA First Runner Up, Ric will be continuing to compete in Goat Dressing and Wild Drag which took him to Finals last year.

Todd Tramp is new to ASGRA but certainly not to rodeo. He competes in all 13 IGRA sanctioned events! He has been a champion in most of them and an All Around Cowboy as well; we welcome Todd to ASGRA.

April Kane is another new member, hailing from Minnesota. She competes in Chute Dogging, Steer Deco and Wild Drag. Welcome April!

Bailey Kier is a rough stock competitor, riding Broncs, Bulls and Steers. Bailey has already made it to Finals and we hope to see him there again this year!

Connie Morris was Ms. ASGRA 2004. She has moved to Atlanta but her heart is still here in DC and she will be competing in Barrels, Poles and some of the camp events.

This is Mary Lynn Logsdon's second year as a rodeo competitor. She only competes in Wild Drag, but you can always find her in the stands working the crowd and cheering on the other contestants!

Lonni La Bel has been a regular competitor in Steer Riding, Calf Roping on Foot and Wild Drag. Although absent from competition the last 2 years, she hopes to be back on the circuit again this year.

Sonny Koerner is a long time ASGRA rodeo competitor and a multiple champion in many of our rodeo events. Sonny competes in Bull and Steer Riding, Chute Dogging, Goat Dressing, Wild Drag and Steer Deco and has qualified for finals in many of his events.

Oscar Mocelo is another old hat at this rodeo stuff. He has competed in Bull and Steer Riding, Chute Dogging and all 3 camp events. He was the Rough Stock All Around Champion at Atlantic Stampede 2004.

Frank Harrell rode Barrels for the first time in an IGRA rodeo at Atlantic Stampede 2004. We can't wait to see you again this year. Frank is also our Web Master.

Mike Pearson hails from New York. He is new to rodeo and competes in Wild Drag with his partner David Pelton. He is looking to branch out to a few more events this year.

Lance Haverly is another NY based competitor who competes in Goat Dressing and Wild Drag.

Jackie Thompson competes in Chute Dogging and Calf Roping on Foot. Another one who has won several ribbons and buckles, she definitely throws a mean rope!!!!

Last year was Rich's first year in Rodeo at Atlantic Stampede 2004. He competes in Bull and Steer Riding, Chute dogging, Calf Roping, Steer Deco and Wild Drag and he was Rookie of the Year at AS2004!

Dusty Cowboy and his partner started out in New York and have now gone to Phoenix, AZ. Both compete in camp and rough stock events. Rick had a shoulder injury early this year; we hope he is healed and riding again soon.

Jennifer Vrana is a cancer survivor who credits her rodeo family with helping her in her recovery. She hails from Philadelphia, competing in Chute Dogging, horse events and Wild Drag and Steer Deco. Jen has been an All Around Cowgirl as well.

Karl Klingener is from New Jersey and competes in Barrels, Poles, Calf Roping, Chute Dogging, Steer and Bull Riding and all 3 camp events. He has won many buckles as well in his rodeo career.

This is only a small part of our talented rodeo team from all across the country. If you would like to be featured next month, please e-mail your rodeo events and info to .