IGRA Gets Ready For 2010 Season

Yes sir boys it will soon be time to put on your chaps and spurs and get along little doggies as the International Gay Rodeo Association gets going into it’s almost 30 years of yippee and kyaying, roping and wrasslin and showing off some of the best buns since Clint Walker played Cheyenne.

For those of you not familiar with the growing popularity of gay rodeo, the mission statement of the IGRA reads in part, Gay Rodeo had its beginnings in 1976 at the National Reno Gay Rodeo in Nevada. Over the next eight years local rodeo associations were formed in Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona. In 1985, these four Gay Rodeo Associations along with Oklahoma founded the IGRA. From these beginnings, the IGRA has spread the Rodeo spirit across the United States and into Canada.

Through a Convention of its Member Associations, the IGRA has evolved a code of fellowship and good sportsmanship including the provision of standardized rules and resources for the production of rodeo events. IGRA-sanctioned rodeos are hosted by local associations each year and culminate in an IGRA Finals Rodeo where the top 20 contestants in each event compete for the title of IGRA International Champion. The IGRA has expanded its enrichment activities to include social Country & Western activities. Throughout the year, the regional associations sponsor dance competitions in preparation for the IGRA’s annual International Dance Competition featuring the best men and women dancers from across the country.

First up for 2010 is the IGRA University Academy of Rodeo Arts which will be held January 15 – 17 2010.

The first rodeo of the year will be held in Arizona at the Gila Indian Community Reservation at Wild Horse Pass, February 12- 14 which is President’s Day Weekend.

Then the cowboy and cowgirl action moves to sunny Florida April 16- 18 at the Bergeron Arena of Davie, near Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

For those of you cowpokes who are a little skiddish around bulls and broncos, but can kick up a heel or two, there will be the IGRA dance competition on Saturday January 16 at the IGRA University.

A great website to follow the IGRA and its cowboys plus meet and connect with fella cow punchers is Homo Rodeo where you’ll also find the schedule for the IGRA rodeos and events. It’s also a great source for info on past rodeos, keeping up with stats and of course pixs of those gorgeous men, just don’t be looking for the butt naked kind. You’ll have to find other sites for them. But to put a little poke in your cow, here’s a site with tons of cowboys PG style.

If you’ve never seen the documentary “Gidyup ! On The Rodeo Circuit” on LOGO watch it below. If the movie doesn’t load right away give it a minute. If the player doesn’t work you can watch it at LOGOonline. It’s about 45 minutes long, so put on your best ten gallon hat, chaps, boots and spurs (other clothing optional) and get ready to do some hoot’en and holler’in.

Gidyup cowboy and ride ‘em high in the saddle.