Florida Rodeo VP
ASGRA Awards
Meeting Netcasts ASGRA
Trustee's Corner
Concerts and Kids Events
Coosie's Corner Recipe of the month
ASGRA History in review
Monthly Calendar What's happening

From the Vice President

1) VP Update & Florida's Rodeo

Whew! This has been a wild few weeks since my last post so I guess I should do a bit of an update to catch you all up to speed.

San Francisco. What can I say, but wow! Oh and it was windy as heck! Beautiful, hot, steamy...oh wait that happened AT the conference and we all know that STAYS at the conference! LOL

Fort Lauderdale. Rodeo. Yay! This was my first rodeo since finals last year in Reno and I had forgotten what a magical time rodeo is. There's competition, friends old and new, and family. *sigh* It's always hard coming back home from rodeo.

It's always fun finding Team ASGRA there. We had myself, The Mikes, April, Destiny, Dusty, Mitch, Darla and a few others. It was Dusty's first rodeo outside of Atlantic Stampede and I hope he had a great time!

I know I appreciated his hazing help for my 3rd place catch in calf roping on Sunday. But the ASGRA star in Calf Roping belonged to Miss April who was the Sunshine Stampede's Calf Roping on Foot Women buckle winner! Yay, April! ASGRA went 1st & 3rd on Sunday for the women.

Hard luck Kudos go to Darla! That girl has grit and gumption, though she doesn't have much to bounce on! She was always ready for the next ride on a steer or a bull no matter how many times she bucked off! This girl really rides with her heart and I'm expecting to see her at ASGRA's Rodeo School in a few weeks, perfecting her form.

Another big ASGRA winner was Vanessa. This girl can RIDE! She was the Sunshine Stampede's Bareback Bronc- women buckle winner! She impressed me along with a lot of other people who had never seen her ride before. She also rides bulls and she's definitely one to watch on the circuit!

I managed to win points in all of my events: 3rd & 4th place in Chutedogging, 3rd place in Calf Roping on Foot, and even added a second place ribbon with my ASGRA team mates, the Mikes, in Wild Drag!

Most people ask about my 'injuries,' but I just call them divots. That's about what happens when you press the steers horns into your chest, they fall on you and then you help them over. Yup, divots! I managed to get one divot and a horn in the rib/stomach area.

Danged little devil horned steer! I've never seen horns that small and yet the animal wasn't tiny in any way. I ended up with a horn in my side, dirt in places where it's not supposed to be, and a stubborn, pig-headed she-devil steer that hated to go forward. Made for a stressful day for me. I had every intention of repeating my feat of last year and win the buckle, but it wasn't meant to be with the devil/demon steer as my partner.

If you've ever wanted to try bull riding, or maybe even calf roping on foot, ASGRA is having a Rodeo School in York Springs, PA on May 12 & 13! Sign up for only a day or the entire weekend, either way it will be a lot of fun.

Or if you want to know what the events look like before Rodeo School, check out our page of video clips:

2) ASGRA is back for Dyke Night at the DC Eagle this month and I'm feeling like I'm in the mood to celebrate April... with an Easter Egg Hunt! Candy, wild prizes, strange characters (I don't count, smarty pants!), and more! This sounds like too much fun to be missed. The hunt starts when the second floor opens (about 9pm). We will continue the fun and festivities until all prizes are gone or I get bored, whichever comes first. So keep me entertained or get there early to locate the special "prize" eggs!

I think I'm more excited about this than my 'Thirsty Thursdays' coming up in May. I do wonder what I'll come up with next. Hmmm, maybe an all-female version of 'Rip Off Fridays'?

If you are an ASGRA member competing out on the circuit or perhaps you are being recognized for your community involvement, drop me an email so I can SPOTLIGHT you!

That's about it from NW DC.

Get out in the warm weather (at least for this minute) and see you at the Eagle on Wednesday!

Jackie,
Feeling very lazy

ASGRA Awards

We are currently accepting nominations for our Golden Lariat and Outstanding Volunteer awards.

The coveted Golden Lariat award is given by ASGRA to individuals who have contributed an unimaginable amount of their time and efforts to the betterment of our association. Their volunteering accomplishments are exceptional and have provided ASGRA focus and achievement which would not have been attained without these exceptional volunteers.

To nominate someone, simply send an e-mail to the ASGRA secretary ([an error occurred while processing this directive]) with the person's name and a paragraph or two of why you believe they should be honored with the award.

The first inductees were chosen in 1999 and the list has grown to include the following individuals.

To make a nomination just send an e-mail to the ASGRA secretary ([an error occurred while processing this directive]) including the person's name and a paragraph why you think they deserve this award. The ASGRA board of directors will chose the winner at a board meeting after the conclusion of our rodeo.

Frank Harrell
Secretary/Webmaster/Newsletter Editor

ASGRA meetings to be netcast

We had our first trial run last Thursday with the Rodeo Roundtable meeting. A few preselected individuals tuned in and reported that the results were quite satisfactory.

"You could hear every word and the images were terrific," Reported one viewer.

"This offers an easy way for our members to get a better feel for what their board is doing, the difficulties encountered in running our association, and the processes involved in putting on one of the biggest rodeos on the east coast" says Frank Harrell, webmaster, secretary, newsletter editor, and netcast sound engineer for ASGRA.

The netcasts consist of a still image, refreshed every 30 seconds, and streaming audio. Live audio requires RealPlayer. Versions are available for both high speed and dial up users. Archived audio will be available within a few days of each meeting for those who missed the live netcast. So put the following schedule on your calendar and tune in to see and hear just what goes on behind the screens of your association.

Oh BTW, the IGRA Board meetings and IGRA Convention are also netcast and are available at the same address.

Live netcasts and archived events are available at http://GayRodeo.info/

Next scheduled netcasts on...

• May 17, 7:30 pm, ASGRA Board meeting
• June 7, 7:30 pm, Rodeo Roundtable meeting
• July 13, 10:00 am, IGRA Board meeting, Denver CO.

Trustee's Corner

A BUG IN YOUR EAR: Next convention is November 8 in Kansas City Missouri. Start thinking about attending!

Notes from the Road
First, I'd like to congratulate the men and women of the Florida Gay Rodeo Association for giving everyone one heck of a good time during the 2007 Sunshine Stampede in wonderful Fort Lauderdale. They make throwing a rodeo look so darn fun and easy. Apparently, the men and women of southern Florida agreed because the stands were packed with cheering fans on both days.

ASGRA was excellently represented with many of our cowgirls and cowboys picking up buckles and ribbons. Vanessa H. picked up a buckle in Bareback Bronc riding, and placed second overall in Steer Riding. April K. picked up a buckle in Calf Roping on Foot. Also picking up ribbons in Calf Roping on Foot were Mary Lynn at second overall and Jackie T. at 6th overall. Mary Lynn's team placed second over all for Wild Drag Race. And Ms. Jackie placed 3rd overall in Chute Dogging. On the men's side, both Mike Ps placed 3rd overall for Goat Dressing. Congratulations to all our ASGRA folks.

Other members that were seen walking around included Cowboy Frank and his other half Tom. Next time you see either of them, ask to see the pictures. And my predecessor Ms. Lonnie made an appearance on Saturday. Of course she was promptly put to work selling raffle tickets and managed to sell $250 in one hour (if you don't think that's much, see Big Daddy and Jezzie Bell at their next fund raiser and you can show us how it's done.) And of course, the fabulous Destiny B. Childs was present both competing and raising lots of funds for her charities.

Lastly, ASGRA had representation as Sunshine Stampede Officials. Our own Michael Lentz was one of the four Judges for the weekend and Gaither was seen timing events.

IGRA Board Meeting Notes

• There will be a new rodeo budget application to complete for IGRA which is a one page Excel spreadsheet. Any applications already submitted will not have to be changed.
• Weather Insurance is an option if you have an outside venue. Rodeo school insurance requests must be done 60 days prior to event due to delays in working with the carrier. Bulls and Broncs are the ONLY animals considered rough stock per Doug Graff per the insurance coverage. (I have a CD with the 2007 Insurance Policy.)
• IGRA Settlements are due within 30 days of issue IGRA Invoices are due within 30 days of issue.
• IGRA Appreciation awards per the by-laws are for NON MEMBERS this means COMMERCIAL members should not be nominated (which means that any of our sponsors who are Business members should not be nominated for IGRA awards. However, ASGRA can still present them with ASGRA awards.)
• There is a rough draft of a formalized FINALS sponsorship tiered plan that was distributed. $50 K Platinum sponsorship = exclusive rights (the tiered plan is very much like the sponsorship plan created by our own fundraising team.)
• Calendar page on IGRA website has received 13 K hits. Please make sure all rodeo information is accurate.
• IGRA University will be in Las Vegas Feb 22 - 24. Many thanks to our own Cowboy Frank and Jorge Ramirez for funding IGRA University this year.
• On line registration is going well. You must have a PRO PayPal account. IGRA will need your API credentials. OKC was the last test. Denver will be the final test before roll out. Please note: NO credit card information is stored other than the last 4 numbers for cross-referencing. (This is similar to what appears on any receipt when you place an internet store order.)
• Philadelphia, PA is looking forward to a rodeo soon. Their Visitor and Convention Bureau attended and offered a warm welcome.
• AGRA rodeo application approved
• GWGRA rodeo application approved
• Australia is very interested in becoming our next International Association and claims that they'll be one at our next convention.
• The new IGRA Finals Logo was presented by the Executive Committee.
• IGRA Corporate Sponsorship list was passed around for Trustees to offer up their local contacts (I did not list any of our sponsors.)
• IGRA 2009 FINALS bid deadline was moved up to June 30, 2007.
• IGRA Trustee's Meeting
• The "free" Finals Rodeo Ad that is placed in association's Rodeo Programs is NOT a demand from IGRA, but a request.
• CGRA had received a fine for not having the IGRA logo in their Rodeo Program. They argued that since the Rodeo Checklist wording did not match what was stated in the bylaws, they should not have to pay the fine.
• Bylaws wording: A Member Association holding a rodeo that has been sanctioned by IGRA shall cause the IGRA logo to appear in all advertising and promotional material related to that rodeo, except business card size.
• Checklist wording: After rodeo approval, did all non-commercial promotional materials (except business card size) have the official IGRA emblem displayed?
• The Trustee's voted by a majority, that CGRA should not have to pay the fine that was levied at the last meeting. (note: just so you know, I voted that they should pay the fine.) Many believe, as does yours truly, that we now have set a precedent, that what is written in the by-laws no longer needs to be followed. I anticipate much conversation on this point at future IGRA Board meetings and at IGRA convention.
• If you're planning on attending Capital City Rodeo in Austin, Texas on September 21-23, 2007 and you end up as the fastest Goat Dressing team on Sunday, September 23,23; you get to participate in a drawing for $40,000.

That's it for this go round. See you next column

Mike Benner
ASGRA Trustee

Coosie's Corner

Ingredients

Batter:
1 Cup Butter (2 sticks)
1 Cup Water
4 Tbsp Cocoa

Place in pan and bring to a boil.
Add the following dry ingredients:

2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Flour
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp Soda
½ Cup Sour Cream
1 tsp Vanilla

Mix well
Beat two eggs and add to mixture
Place in Jelly Roll Pan or 2" deep baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.
Add Icing

Icing:
Using same pan in which you mixed the batter add,

½ Cup Butter (1 stick)
4 Tbsp Cocoa
6 Tbsp Milk

Bring to a boil.

Then, mix
1 lb. Box Conf. Sugar
1 cup pecan nuts
1 tsp Vanilla

Beat with mixer and pour over hot or warm cake
Cool cake and serve.

Rodeo Competition for the Kids

Soul II Soul Happy Hour

Aaron Tippin Good in Concert, Good Lookin' in Person

Performance-wise, Tippin is one of the most engaging to the audience that I have seen in a long time. When Tippin told the typical filler tales in between songs he made eye contact with individual members of the audience vs looking at nobody in particular or off into space. He made it seem like he was telling the story TO YOU vs. AT YOU. It was as though you were with a good friend who was relating another funny/touching/personal/background story. This helped to raise the energy in the room tenfold and Tippin's performance energy is great from the start.

You could really tell that Tippin was having a good time because you were having a good time. Tippin's joy seems not to come from just singing, but from really performing for the audience. You know that glow that comes off of someone when they love what they do, Aaron's got it and that energy feeds the audience energy, which in turn fed his energy. This helps to make it feel like he was part of the party, not just the entertainment for it. This presence onstage only helps to add to that physical presence that a lot of us are already familiar with.

For you cowboys and a few of you cowgirls, who might remember Tippin for his muscular in-shape physique, it is still there and even better to look at in person than in picture. I still have some scar marks on my chin from where I hit the ground when I first gazed up at Aaron on stage. When Tippin started to flex his arms in a strong-man pose during the song "Honky-tonk Superman", not only did the energy in the room rise a bit, but so did the temperature. Time has done nothing to diminish the physical appeal of Aaron Tippin, it has actually increased it. Though the hair on Aaron's head has gotten much shorter and a little greyer, the body has definitely retained that definition which we all remember when we identified in a slightly different way with "That's As Close As I'll Get to Lovin' You." This physical aspect of Aaron only helps to add to an already great performer making Aaron someone worth not only seeing in concert, but also listening to in concert as well. This cowboy is definitely convinced of why we need to sign up for his fan club membership.

Patrick Hunter

All Concerts Great and Small

• June 10 - Alan Jackson with Brooks and Dunn at Nissan Pavilion
• June 23 - Mary Chapin Carpenter at Wolf Trap
• June 28 - Suzy Bogguss at Brichmere
• June 29 - Ty Herndon, Nick's Night Club
• July 7 - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Verizon Center
• July 14 - Toby Keith, Nissan Pavillion
• July 18 - Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Wolf Trap
• July 27 - Randy Tavis and Julie Roberts, Wolf Trap

ASGRA History In Review

Heart Rock Ranch, "Getting Started"
By Rocky Kuhn, Mr. ASGRA 1995

Since the last article so much has happened that I couldn't possibly get it all into one article.

I have made my cattle purchases - at least all I will purchase until this Fall. I began with thirteen calf heifers (the significance of the number didn't dawn on me). Ten were still to calve this Spring; the other three had their calves, so I bought them as pairs. They're all black angus or angus crosses. Finally, the first baby came - a black heifer who I named JoJo. That was a big day for Heart Rock Ranch. In the meantime, I purchased twenty two pairs of older cows. They are all black or black-white faced with the exception of one red angus. I named her Annette (what is her hair color these days?!) but she is so contrary I may need to sell her.

Anyway, at least I thought they were twenty two pairs. The morning after they were delivered, one turned out not to be a pair. I separated them in a small pen to see if they would pair-up. The cow first went over the corral and when I remedied that with tall panels, she went under the panels and jumped the fence into the neighbor's hay field! Eventually, Doug and I got her back and we shipped her (and her supposed baby) off for a refund.

The other twenty one were all pairs but in the midst of the terrible rainy weather and due to having bought them through a sales yard where disease is prevalent, most of the calves got sick. For weeks I was constantly treating calves for scours and pneumonia. We roped some on foot, some on horseback, tackled some, and chased some into the barn to treat them. One time, I went out at night with a flashlight and snuck-up on the unsuspecting patients!

One of the calves was like a dishrag one morning so Dude and I took her to the vet. She stayed five days but eventually died. By the time it was all over, which is just now, I lost seven calves - pretty depressing. There is a story on each one but I won't dwell on the subject. I'm looking forward to better conditions, better luck, and more experience next year.

Dude (my horse for those of you who don't know), is still quite lame. Two vets have looked at him and they're at a loss as to why he isn't healing. I definitely want to attend the St. Paul rodeo but if I don't have a horse, it just won't be the same.

Next time: Runaway yearlings, rampaging bull and the saddest day on Heart Rock Ranch.

The June newsletter deadline is May 28. Send your articles to [an error occurred while processing this directive]