CGRA Newsletter

October, 2012

Reports

President

Hey Little Buckaroos and Buckarettes,

Happy New Year!! Too early? Not really its the start of a new year for CGRA and your Board of Directors. Okay, so maybe its just a reason to fix a cocktail sit down and have a heart to heart with each of you. Hell, that works for me. Actually, since most of you think thats how I put these letters together I just thought I would play along. Now I really have you confused. Is he....... Isn't he? Hmmmm. I'll let you decide as we go along here. I do have a lot to cover with each of you, I know.... go figure, and I do hope that you read through this letter and find something that interests you. So what do you say we get started. I'll wait a minute so you can go get yerself a beer.........................

Okay times up. Come to think of it I really didn't need to do that cuz you's guys can stop reading and pick up where you left off at any time. That's exactly what I hope you do.

WE are off and rolling. I already feel like I'm being pulled in at least ten directions and thats a good thing. The new Board of Directors appears, shhhh I know its early, to have their ducks in a row. Not like the arcade at the circus but really thinking forward. I have been very pleased thus far with some of the things coming out of this Board. I think we are in for a very exciting year. One thing that I would like each of you to think about is my request to the Board that they become a committee chair. What you say? I thought they were. Actually, they are Chairs but without a committee. Here's where you come in. Pick one. Rodeo Events, Entertainment, Public Relations, etc, etc. and let them know you are interested in meeting with them to be a part of their committee. Help each of these Board members come up with ideas, solutions and plain ass fun. (Oops, well I guess you wouldn't think it was me unless there was a bad word every now and again) You can go to our website, cgra.us, and see just who you might be interested in working with. This is something that we as a business have failed at in years past. So I'm asking you to get involved. We are making great strides and I know you take just as much pride in this organization as the rest of us.

Next I want to spend some time on making you think....... Oh crap. Put down the cocktail. Well wait, its not like critical thinking. Its about us as the Proud Charitable Organization that we are. Every year around this time we select our Charity Partners for the new year. Now the Board of Directors hasn't decided whether to have 2 or 3 or more for the 2013 year but all you have to think of is ONE. I feel like in the past we have simply put a few names on a ballot and voted on them and hey that's that. Yeah we're done!! Can you feel the thinking part coming next? Well you're right it is. I would ask each of you to think about who you wish to nominate and why. Who is really deserving of what we can offer? Once again this year we may have over $20K that we donate back to our community in one form or another. WE are not talking small change here. So plese give it some thought. Hell if you want to bounce some ideas off of me, great. I will be opening nominations for our 2013 Charity Partners at our October meeting. We will leave them open thru our November meeting at which time we will vote on these Partners. I will allow time at the November meeting for your nominations to do a brief presentation to the General Membership. So all you need to do is get them there. This isn't hard but it's very important and I ask that you think about it. Whether you nominate an organization or just show up to vote.

Now just a little bit about the fun stuff. Okay, maybe a lot about the fun stuff. To each of our members that received an invitation to World Gay Rodeo Finals (WGRF), Good Luck!! I know we are already very proud of you just for qualifying but damn't you didn't compete all year long just to go there. Now make us really proud and WIN baby WIN. To John and Paula what more can I say. I know you're ready. I know you're the best of all competing. Take a deep breathe, relax and remember you represent the BEST damn Association out there. Win, Lose or Draw you've already made us proud. You know what they say, "Once you go black". Oh wait........Can I say that? The sash people the sash. I better leave that alone. LOL. Now, there are a few other fun things coming up. I have put our Membership Chair and Community Outreach Chair on the hot seat this year. They have been instructed to put together, six months at a time, a CGRA get together. A function. It may be dinner at 17th Avenue Grill, Ringling Brothers Circus, Bowling or any number of things. Here's how it works. They put out a list of functions that you can show up to or not. The function will go on even if there's only 3 or 4 of us. These are things that you pay for out of your pocket. A social outing let's say. You say you want to help? Hooray!! Send CD or Pauline your ideas. They'll plan it and we go. It's just that easy. It's time WE had some FUN!!

One last thing for this letter. WE are once again without a webmaster. A BIG Thanks to Frank Harrell, CowboyFrank.net, for your two years of service to our organization. I am certain that we will miss you. But HEY, What an oportunity for someone else to step up. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact me. This has become a huge asset of ours and we need to keep things going. We are active on our FaceBook page now and you need to go there and 'like' CGRA. Join the fun. Bruce Gros has been doing daily posts and we are really targeting the younger demographic. Not that my fellow AARP, AMAC friends can't have fun too. But do check it out. One of my personal goals is to reach a membership base of 200 prior to elections next August so what ever you can do to help is surely appreciated.

Okay, That's it. Other than would someone please submit a By-Law change that limits these news articles to 150 words or less. LOL. Sorry about taking so much of your time. You've probably polished off a six pack by now. But, I really just wanted to bring everyone up to speed as to where we are and where we are going. Remember this is a member association and you dictate our direction. Get involved! Stay involved! Look forward to seeing each of you at our next meeting, October 12th @ Charlie's, Board of Directors meet at 6pm with General Membership following at 8pm.

Let's Ride
Robert Thurtell
CGRA President

Gymkhana

The final Gymkhana of the 2012 series is coming up Oct. 7 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and will be the last chance for members to hone their rodeo skills before next year. We will also present awards to our Junior Member Series Winners in recognition of their 2012 achievements.

Special guests in attendance will be Fillippo Bardazi and Laura Chiaroni, Italian photo-journalists who are on a photographic journey of the American West through its myths and culture. They will be taking behind the scenes shots and conducting background interviews with participants.

Rodeo Events Chair Kim Fry is organizing a CGRA Member Potluck so grab a dish, put on your cowboy duds, and join us for a great Sunday morning and afternoon!

IGRA Year-End Round-Up

The 2012 IGRA Rodeo Circuit has drawn to a close, Circuit Champions have been calculated, and all eyes now turn to World Gay Rodeo Finals (r) October 19-21 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Invitations have already been sent to the top 20 competitors in each event. Among those CGRA members receiving invitations are: Alanna S., John B., Teeny Copafeelya, Charlene D., Stefani C., Kimberley Kay, Steve M., Travis N., Travis James, Austin F., Clark M., and Crash Lucky. Several other members are right on the line and may also receive invites. Go Team CGRA--do us proud at Finals!

November 8-11 will mark the IGRA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Proposed changes to IGRA By-laws, Standing Rules, and Rodeo Rules can be reviewed at www.igra.com and all members are encouraged to give their input to our delegates. Delegates are: Robert T., John B., John H., James J., Bruce G., Kim F., and Alternates are: Paula S., John L., and Keith S.

2013 kicks off with IGRA University in St. Louis, Missouri, Jan. 11-13. A full list of classes can be found at http://gayrodeo.info/University/ as well as schedule, registration and hotel details. Tuition is $100 through November 30, and rises to $125 through December 31.

Vice President

Well, here we are just a couple of weeks away from IGRA Finals! I can't believe how fast the year has flown.

I want to wish our Mr. CGRA John Beck and Ms. CGRA Paula Scougal the best of luck as they compete for the 2013 IGRA Royalty Team at IGRA Finals in Ft. Worth. I know that they will do a great job and represent CGRA proudly! Please wish them luck and encourage them as they take this next step with IGRA.

I would like to thank the 10 year anniversary Royalty Team - Mr. David Westman, Ms. Mary Munger and Miss Lushus La'Rell - for all of the work they did this year for CGRA. Thank you so much! And I believe they have one more fundraiser coming up before they step down as the 10 year anniversary team.

I would also like to introduce our 10 year Anniversary Team for 2013 - Mr. Rob Hart and Miss Chardonnay Thomas. I have been in contact with both of these individuals and they will both be present at the Past Royalty Show on November 30th and then also at the Royalty Competition and A Night of Sharing on December 1st. Keep an eye out for further details on these two events.

A big thank you to Lushus La'Rell (Anthony Aragon) who stepped up and wanted to be a part of helping me get ready for the 2013 CGRA Royalty Contest.

For those of you who don't know, at this time, we have 4 contestants for the 2013 CGRA Royalty Team.
Contestant for Mr. CGRA 2013 - Karl Wesley
Contestants for Ms. CGRA 2013 - Miss Eryn and Pauline Chavez
Contestant for Miss CGRA 2013 - Katrina St. Andrews

If you would like to help out at any of the events coming up - Past Royalty Show or Royalty contest - please send me an email.

Thank you!

Rich Valdez
CGRA Vice President
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Trustee

Greetings all!

Get saddled up for Finals. I've heard it's going to be a spectacular Grand Entry! San Francisco rodeo was fun - camping out!

Not a lot to report at this time. I'm sure that there will be next month.

John Beck
Trustee
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Secretary

Hello membership,
I hope this finds you all well.

CGRA Membership Meeting - September 9, 2011
Called to Order at: 8:05pm

Motion to approve the minutes: Paula S , 2nd Dave H . Carries

President: Robert Thurtell
• Lots of outside the box thinking going on.
• Planning a function every month i.e. bowling bbq outside of the meetings. Let Robert or CD know if there is something that you would like to do
• Wayne Jackino scholarship chair John hill
• Valentines Extravaganza chair Miss Erin
• Barrel Race chair RC Cuellar
• Interest in being a parliamentarian please let Robert know
• Respect: please respect all other members :
• 30 something? The 30 was amazing over $16000.00 profit. We need a marketing tool, come up with some ideas

Vice President: Rich Valdez
• Happy birthday to many of our members this month
• Paula S, John B qualified for running for IGRA royalty
• Dec 1 royalty contest for 2013 royalty. Miss Eryn, Pauline Chavez, Carl Wesley and Katrina St. Andrews competing for CGRA 2013 title.

Secretary: Jeramy Snidow
• Oct meeting moved to the 12 and Nov meeting moved to Thurs the 1st

Treasurer: David Hill
• Motion to approve financials, Paula S moved Rich V second. Motion carries

Trustee: John Beck
• Mr. Back came home with the buckle for the Erin Eaton Sportsmanship award from San Fran
• Delegates, Robert T, John B, James J, John H, Bruce G, Kim F
• Alternates, Paula S, John L, Keith S

Public Relations: Bruce Gros
• We need help in getting the word out as to what CGRA is doing. Please visit CGRA's Facebook and like us
• Anyone who knows Twitter please contact Bruce
• We will be covered by press at the Oct gymkhana

Rodeo Director: Mary Munger
• Welcome Janie From Canada,
• We will need a couple assistant rodeo directors for 2013 Mary T and Kim F have stepped up to the job and we would like a couple more to learn.

Entertainment: John Locke
• Not present

Fundraising: Dan Rutledge
• Not present

Rodeo Events: Kim Fry
• Oct 7 is our last gymkhana of the year. Please everyone come out for the final awards for the youngsters. Please dress western.
• Pot luck luncheon for the last gymkhana on Oct 7
• We have made money for the first time in a long time on our gymkhanas this year. Thank you

Membership: CD Slusser
• New members: Brenden S, Shane C, Kevin U,
• Jerry and JC renewed
• 125 active not including new members from tonight and 25 out of state.
• Would like to try and hold an event once a month such as poker night, night of bowling.

Community Outreach: Pauline Chavez
• No report

Royalty:
• Horse trailer on Oct 29 at Charlie's for a bar crawl. Leaving Charlie's at 7 pm. Please be in Cowboy costume

Special Committees:
• Miss Erin Valentines Extravaganza, Carl Wesley co-chair, 10 bachelor and 4 bachelorests,2 large sponsors already in the works. Event is Feb 9 2013.
• John Hill: We awarded one scholarship but we now have a bank to work off of in the future, this way we can award as many scholarships as possible and still have working capital.
• Nov 30th is the past royalty show and the proceeds will go to the Wayne Jackino Scholarship fund.

Old Business:
• Non to report

New Business:
• Out front is putting on a Power Party Oct 6, please attend. At the Exdo event center next to Trax. Please visit http://ofcnow.co/pptx and use discount code: power
• The extra 30th anniversary buckles will be in in 3 to 4 weeks.

Announcements:
• Fundraiser for all of the old RMRR t shirts. $5 each contact Rich
• National Flag football team is here in Denver tonight promote CGRA
• Nov 21 at 7pm beer bust fundraiser for CGRA at Charlie's
• Ty Teigan memorial fund raised $1160.00 to produce that Ty Teigan memorial barrel race
• Sept 29 Imperial court will put on their All decades show. Show at 6 and at 10

Meeting adjourned 21:09@ pm

Jeramy Snidow
Secretary
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Rodeo Events / Gymkhana

How to evaluate body condition

It's not always visually obvious when a horse is getting a little too fat or too thin, and it's not unusual for owners to show bias when assessing their horses conditions.

In one 2011 British study, for example, researchers classified eight out of a sampling of 15 pleasure horses as overweight, while their owners tended to rate them closer to ideal. Rather than relying on your eyes and memory to keep track of your horse's body weight, you can use objective measures to record changes over time. Here are three common methods that are easy to apply on the farm:

• The body condition score (BCS) system, developed by Don Henneke, PHD, uses a visual and hands-on appraisal of six body areas where fat accumulates along the neck, around the withers, over the ribs, behind the shoulder and over the rump and tailhead. Using specific criteria, horses are assigned a number on a scale from 1 (poor) to 9 (extremely fat). For more information on how to use the BCS system, including photographs, see "BCS: A Useful Tool" (EQUUS 377)
• Measure and calculate your horse's weight with a vinyl tailor's tape. Start by measuring the length in inches from the point of your horse's shoulder, along his side, to the point of his buttock. Then, measure his girth circumference by wrapping the tape around his body just behind the elbow and over the highest point of his withers. Then plug your two measurements into the following equation: body weight = (girth2 x length)/ 330. This method is not as accurate as the results you would get on a weight scale in a veterinary hospital, but if you do it consistently once a month or so, it will alert you to changes in a horse's weight.
• Use a weight tape to track changes. A weight tape is like a tailor's tape, with measurements marked in pounds. To get a measurement, wrap the tape around the horse's barrel, just behind the elbows. Always pull the tape snug against the skin. A weight tape is not as accurate as a weight scale, but it can help you identify and track weight gain or loss.

Consistency is important to getting usable results. Always check the horse's weight at the same time of day and under the same conditions. After a workout, for example, a sweaty horse may measure less than he will after he cools down and drinks his fill.

Who Do You Like? Spreading the Word About CGRA

Your Public Relations Committee is already hard at work considering ways to increase visibility of CGRA in the community and awareness of our activities. Among the actions already taken is a greater emphasis on regular use of Social Media, specifically Facebook, to keep folks tuned in to our activities and to promote our Charity Partners. If you're on Facebook but haven't yet "liked" CGRA you might want to do it today. It's the fastest way to learn the latest on what's happening in our organization and to easily share news tidbits with your friends.

Together with regular meeting attendance, our Yahoo Newsgroup, the monthly Newsletter, notices to other media and organizations, and now Social Media, we're providing several avenues to inform the community what it is we do. There's plenty of room for growth and we invite you to be actively involved in spreading the word!

Cowboy Frank recently informed the Board that he would be giving up responsibility for publishing the monthly Newsletter and maintaining the CGRA website. We want to publicly acknowledge him for the hard work and professionalism he has given CGRA the last couple of years and encourage you to give him a pat on the back and a word of thanks. He leaves pretty big shoes to fill and we'll need some new helpers to carry on this work. So if you have the skills needed, or are eager to learn, contact me at 720-413-2250 or by email at and let me know you're onboard!

Bruce Gros
Public Relations Chair

Royalty

Well, as Jackie Gleason would say 'To the Moon, Alice, To the Moon!'

I'm trying, along with Paula to get things ready for competition in Ft. Worth. As we are leaving on 10/16/12 early a.m. with horses.

Don't forget the bar hop starting at Charlie's - October 27th @ 7:00 pm. Bar to bar in a horse trailer with hay bails to sit on! We'll stay approximately 30 minutes per bar!!! Come in costume! Further info. to come.

I personally want to thank everyone for the help that they have done with me throughout the year! I'm going for it!! The Black Sash - That is!!

P.S. - My entertainment is out of the BOX!!! We'll have fun!!

Thanks,

John Beck
Mr CGRA 2012
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2012 IGRA Rodeo Schedule

IGRA Board Meetings

Earn extra income and have fun!
Start a PartyLite business. No-cost Starter Kit with $350 Show.
Company-paid Host rewards. No inventory to carry.
Call or e-mail me for details.
Bruce Gros or 720-413-2250

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