International Gay Rodeo Association
Supporting Associations That Support Their Communities

 

IGRA Standing Committee Chairs

 

Arena Directors

Heather Murray ARGRA

In the traditional voice of Mini Pearl...Howdy! Like the song says... "It's the dust and the mud, it's the bulls and the blood, and it's the roar of a Saturday & Sunday crowd..." The rodeo life is completely in this girl's blood. Raised in Alberta Canada, she calls Calgary her home along with her partner and many critters. Heather has been a member of ARGRA since 1995, during which she has been very actively involved at many levels of ARGRA leadership and the production of its rodeos. She has been involved with rodeo at the IGRA level for the past eight years where she has competed and gained her chute coordinator certification and now her Arena Director certification. She has held the position of ARGRA's president from 2005-2009 term. She feels very honored to have been asked to hold this position by her peers, and is very enthusiastic in her new position. Please feel free to e-mail her with any concerns or questions in regards to the Arena Directors program.

 

Auditors, Secretaries & Scorekeepers

Ron Trusley AGRA


 

Budget

David G. Hill CGRA

David began as a volunteer in the contestant's office for a professional rodeo in 1980 and he continues his involvement with that rodeo. He attended his first Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in 1984 and moved to Denver later that year and immediately became involved with CGRA. The next year, he began as a dance chairperson and moved up to treasurer rodeo weekend. He has been on the C.G.R.A. board, as treasurer, for several years. He also is the treasurer for I.G.R.A. David became the first rodeo auditor when the position was created within I.G.R.A. and remains in that position.

 

Bylaws & Standing Rules

Benjamin Avant NGRA

Benjamin joined the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association in 1996 and hit the ground running as a delegate, and member of the Bylaws Committee, in Omaha at his first IGRA convention. From 1996 to 2004, he had many roles in NGRA, including Mr. NGRA, state convention coordinator, parliamentarian, Vice President, President, and IGRA Trustee. Benjamin has served as chairman of the IGRA Bylaws Committee since 2000. He has also served as Parliamentarian for the IGRA Annual Convention since 2003.

 

Chute Coordinators

Jay Beck RRRA

Growing up in the Arizona desert, rodeo was something that my uncles and cousins in Texas were a part of, but I only saw the cowboys and cowgirls of the rodeo when they came to town once a year. But having all those relatives involved in rodeo must have put it in my blood, because once I came out and heard about TGRA and IGRA, rodeo became a major part of my life. I began working behind the chutes in 1992, and have enjoyed being a part of many rodeos all over the country ever since. I still leave every rodeo I work, wishing I could do it again next weekend. In May, 2008, at the Great Plains Rodeo, the first association that honored me with an invitation to serve as Chute Coordinator, I celebrated 10 years in that capacity. I have had the pleasure of being the Chute coordinator at 4 Finals Rodeos.

 

Community Outreach Fundraising

Andrew Goodman (Board Liaison)

MGRA  

Andrew Goodman has been involved in gay rodeo for 11 years. During this time, he has served as a rodeo timer, certified scorekeeper, and on the 2004 IGRA Royalty Team. Most recently, Andrew has been a rodeo announcer at several rodeos in Kansas City and throughout Texas. Andrew served as the MGRA Trustee from July 2004 until December 2007.

At the 23rd Annual IGRA Convention in Kansas City, Andrew was selected to serve a two-year term as IGRA Vice President beginning in January 2008, and was reelected in 2009 for another 2 years.

Andrew remains involved in his home association, MGRA, having served on the royalty team and in various capacities at the chapter and association levels. Andrew resides in Las Vegas and works in education.

See our Royalty Page for community outreach and Royalty contact information
 

Contestant Liaison

Rob Somers ARGRA

Need Bio

 

Convention

Mark A. Demuth HSRA

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Dance

Ernie Bowers LGRA

Ernie Bowers had been a fan of gay rodeo since attending the first ASGRA rodeo in 1992, stemming from his involvement in the country dance community in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the past 18 years. Ernie began competing in rodeo events 2 years prior, he became involved with establishing the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association in Philadelphia in 2006. Ernie Lives in Yardville, New Jersey, halfway between New York and Philadelphia.

 

Elections

Justin James Waldner LGRA

I'm a South Dakota native that moved to Nashville, TN about 5 years ago! I was very fortunate to have stumbled into gay rodeo with the help of Tom Sheridan, and have now been involved with gay rodeo for about 4 years. I'm an active member of the Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association here in Tennessee and Kentucky, and have been president of that great association for the last 3 years along with being Mr. SMRA in 2004 and in 2007. I've also been chair of many different committees within SMRA for the past three years...too many to count. *smile* I was honored to be asked to be the IGRA Nominations Chair by Dot Treves of NSGRA last year and will do my best to uphold the integrity she has maintained. Please don't hesitate to shoot me any questions and/or nominations. This is going to be very exciting!

 

Hall Of Fame

Bob Pimentel NMGRA

Bob was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He moved to New Mexico in 1972. Bob started working with Gay Rodeos in 1985 when he and two others started the NMGRA. After several years working with and training with AGRA and CGRA Bob was elected IGRA President.

In 1991 Bob Pimentel began his first term as the fifth President of IGRA. Where two more associations joined IGRA. This was the year IGRA split the rodeo circuit into three divisions with plans for a fourth division when at least one more rodeo was scheduled in the eastern part of the country. IGRA's first International Sponsor came on board when the Miller Brewing Company agreed to have the Miller Lite brand provide support for all rodeos around the country.

The 1992 rodeo year was Pimentel's second term as IGRA President. The 8th IGRA Annual Convention was held in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. This was the year IGRA added the Canadian Province of British Columbia to their group making IGRA a truly international organization. In October, IGRA finalized the negotiations and entered into a three-year agreement with Miller Lite to become an International Sponsor of gay rodeo.

After his terms as IGRA President, Bob stayed on and servered as Trustee for NMGRA and served as Rodeo director for some of the first Rodeos that NMGRA put on. Bob moved to Phoenix in 1996 and served as AGRA State President and Rodeo Director for several rodeos as well as AGRA Trustee for several years.

Bob is now back in Albuquerque and is still involved with rodeo and is now serving as NMGRA Trustee for his second term. Bob is currently chairing the IGRA Hall of Fame Committee and was recently appointed as part of the new IGRA Finals team. He will be the assistant Final Rodeo Director for the 2008 Finals in Denver Colorado and the Rodeo Director for the 2009 Finals Rodeo in Albuquerque New Mexico.

 

Health & Safety

Linda Frazier MGRA

Linda has been involved with rodeo since 1987 and has served in various capacities at the member association level as well as the International level. Linda enjoys finding ways to improve IGRA sanctioned rodeos.

 

Finals Rodeo 2009

Bob Pimental (Committee Chair) NMGRA

Bob began working with gay rodeos in 1985 when he and two others started the NMGRA. After several years working with AGRA and CGRA, Bob was elected as the fifth IGRA President. During his term as IGRA President, IGRA added the Canadian Province of British Columbia to their group making IGRA a truly international organization. Additionally, IGRA entered into a three-year agreement with Miller Lite to become an International Sponsor of gay rodeo. Bob moved to Phoenix in 1996 and served as AGRA State President and Rodeo Director for several rodeos as well as AGRA Trustee for several years. Bob is currently in Albuquerque and is involved with NMGRA as their Trustee for a second term.


Brian Rodgers (Rodeo Director) NGRA

Brian has been a member of NGRA since 1996, during which he has been very actively involved at many levels of NGRA leadership and the production of its rodeos. He has been involved with rodeo at the IGRA level for many years as well.

Raised in Texas, he now calls fabulous Las Vegas home. His experiences learning to be a Rodeo Director lead to the production of the IGRA Rodeo Guidebook, a how-to guide he created for IGRA associations to use in producing their rodeos.

 

Growth & Planning

Michael Lentz ASGRA

Michael Lentz has been involved in the work of IGRA since 1991. He was the Founding President of the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association in 1991 and served two years in that role. He served three full terms as IGRA Trustee representing ASGRA from 1994 to 1999 and from 2003 through 2005; in 1998 and 1999 he was the Chairman of the IGRA Board of Trustees. He was the first IGRA Animal Issues Committee Chairman in 1993 and 1994 where he led the effort to create and adopt the original IGRA Statement of Animal Welfare; he was the Rodeo Growth Committee Chairman from 1995 to 1999 and 2005 to present; he was Special Projects Committee Chairman in 2000 and 2001 where he developed a multi-year historical analysis of IGRA competition and attendance which he still maintains. He has been an instructor/moderator for the IGRA University from 2003 through 2007 and has been an IGRA certified rodeo judge since 1998. He is president of an economic consulting firm and lives in North Bethesda, Maryland with his partner Rob and their son Zachary.

 

Information Systems

David G. Hill CGRA

David began as a volunteer in the contestant's office for a professional rodeo in 1980 and he continues his involvement with that rodeo. He attended his first Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in 1984 and moved to Denver later that year and immediately became involved with CGRA. The next year, he began as a dance chairperson and moved up to treasurer rodeo weekend. He has been on the CGRA board, as treasurer, for several years. He also is the treasurer for IGRA David became the first rodeo auditor when the position was created within IGRA and remains in that position.

 

Internet Technology (Webmaster)

Frank Harrell ASGRA

Cowboy Frank is a member of ASGRA where he serves as their webmaster. Frank is a computer fanatic, and enjoys digital photography. He lives in Northern Virginia, near Washington DC with his life partner of 26 years.

 

Judges

Michael Lentz ASGRA Michael Lentz has been involved in the work of IGRA since 1991. He was the Founding President of the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association in 1991 and served two years in that role. He served three full terms as IGRA Trustee representing ASGRA from 1994 to 1999 and from 2003 through 2005; in 1998 and 1999 he was the Chairman of the IGRA Board of Trustees. He was the first IGRA Animal Issues Committee Chairman in 1993 and 1994 where he led the effort to create and adopt the original IGRA Statement of Animal Welfare; he was the Rodeo Growth Committee Chairman from 1995 to 1999 and 2005 to present; he was Special Projects Committee Chairman in 2000 and 2001 where he developed a multi-year historical analysis of IGRA competition and attendance which he still maintains. He has been an instructor/moderator for the IGRA University from 2003 through 2007 and has been an IGRA certified rodeo judge since 1998. He is president of an economic consulting firm and lives in North Bethesda, Maryland with his partner Rob and their son Zachary.

Jack Morgan NSGRA


 

Membership

Larry Lindstrom CGRA

Larry has been an active member for 19 years. He started competing in the camp events in the mid-80s winning his first buckle in Steer Decorating in 1988. From there he was elected to the CGRA board as secretary and then became their 5th president and presided for 3 years in the early 90s. He was also their rodeo director five times during this decade.

 

Merchandising

Patrick Terry ILGRA

Patrick joined the CGRA in 1989 and began competing the following year. He became heavily involved, holding numerous positions including Trustee from 1990-1992. In November of 1992, Patrick was hired as the second IGRA Administrative Assistant, a position he held for the next 10 years. He served as IGRA Sponsorship Chair for two years, and sat on several committees. Patrick has belonged to HGRA and ILGRA before retruning to CGRA in 2000 where he became the Rodeo Director in 2003. Patrick has been an IGRA Certified Scorekeeper since 1994 and has filled that position at almost 100 rodeos across the circuit, including 9 finals rodeos. He has stood as Grand Marshal at 3 rodeos, Heartland, in 1998, IGRA Finals Rodeo in Tulsa, in 2003, and Windy City Rodeo in 2004. Patrick is currently the IGRA Archivist, compiling memorabilia from past events and rodeos. Patrick was very excited when he asked to be Associate Chancellor at University this year.

 

Nominations

Justin Waldner SMRA

I'm a South Dakota native that moved to Nashville, TN about 5 years ago! I was very fortunate to have stumbled into gay rodeo with the help of Tom Sheridan, and have now been involved with gay rodeo for about 3 years. I'm an active member of the Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association here in Tennessee and Kentucky, and have been president of that great association for the last 2 years along with being Mr. SMRA in 2004 and in 2007. I've also been chair of many different committees within SMRA for the past three years...too many to count. *smile* I was honored to be asked to be the IGRA Nominations Chair by Dot Treves of NSGRA last year and will do my best to uphold the integrity she has maintained. Please don't hesitate to shoot me any questions and/or nominations. This is going to be very exciting!

 

Public Relations

Shaun Sewell NGRA

Shaun Sewell is the President of the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association and Assistant Rodeo Director for NGRA's BigHorn Rodeo. Shaun has been a communications professional since 1997, having worked for a number of higher education institutions, primarily in the field of arts marketing. Shaun's experience includes communications planning, advertising, media relations, and other communications functions.

 

Rodeo Resources

Jim Mitchell FGRA

Jim served as Rodeo Director for FGRA's Inaugural Sunshine Stampede Rodeo in 2006 and will be completing his fifth year in that assignment for 2010 5th anniversary event.

Jim is entering his twelfth year as Chief Financial Officer for a Florida based Corporation where his duties include leading the Finance, Information Systems, Operations and Human Resource divisions. Prior to his current position he served as controller for a 501(c)(3) Organization and brings six years of entertainment/event management to IGRA. Jim has also worked on events for the Senior PGA tour and has completed coursework in event management at Disney.

Jim can usually be found at other IGRA rodeos working in the arena or on chute crews. He has chaired the Animal Issues Committee and currently serves as Chair of the Rodeo Resources committee. Jim will be joining the ranks of IGRA certified officials as an Arena Director for the 2010 rodeo season.

 

Rodeo Rules

Chuck Browning SGRA

Chuck was born in Casper, Wyoming, the youngest of 5 very athletic and sport oriented kids. He started IGRA Rodeo in 1995 with his best friend Brian Helander. Chuck has competed in all 13 IGRA events, and has won 13 International Championships: (3 Bull Riding, 1 Bareback, 1 Steer Riding, 3 Chute Dogging, 1 Calf Roping on Foot, 3 Goat Dressing, and one Steer Decorating) & several All-Around Cowboy Titles.

Chuck has won over 200 buckles to date, and has donated several to Royalty for Auctions as Fund Raisers. Chuck is the only contestant in IGRA history to be invited to all 13 events for an IGRA Finals Rodeo, Palm Springs 2000. Chuck is working on the one Event Buckle he has never won: Barrel Racing. Over the years, he has suffered, two broken arms, two fractured ankles, a torn ear, ripped lip, 4 cuts on the head, & several bruises.

Chuck has Co-Directed three IGRA / AGRA Rodeo Schools, has done much rodeo Volunteer work and served as AGRA Vice President, AGRA President, AGRA Secretary, AGRA Trustee, IGRA Division 2 Trustee Chair, and IGRA Trustee Chair.

Ty Teigan CGRA

Need Bio

 

IGRA University 2010

Jeffrey Neal NGRA

Jeffrey has been active with NGRA since 2003. After being asked to work Tickets/Front Gate for BigHorn Rodeo at the last minute, he has continued to support the organization as a member, as Hotel Coordinator, as Assistant Rodeo Director, and as Rodeo Director. He enjoys volunteering at other Rodeos and has attended all but one IGRA Convention since he got involved with Rodeo.

Raised on the East Coast, and schooled in the South, Jeffrey has learned a lot about culture and diversity. This experience along with his skills in event planning and management make him a good fit for Chancellor of IGRA University. Jeffrey looks forward to furthering the excellent work of the previous Chancellors, and the challenge of making the IGRA member associations stronger by sharing of knowledge and experience.

 

Womens Outreach

Sharon Starks AGRA

I was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. From early in my childhood, I have been in love with animals, especially horses. I competed in numerous "Little Britches" rodeo's as a young girl. My favorite event was "Mutton Busting" (Riddin' sheep)

As I grew up, I grew to love Barrel Racing. I competed and trained several champion Barrel Horses.

I am unable to ride horses due to back injuries from many years ago. I have found an new event that I can compete in, Calf Roping on foot. In January 2009 I competed at the RoadRunnerRegionalRodeo and caught my first calf. Thank you to all that helped and encouraged me to try.

Being involved with Gay Rodeo, I once again have the opportunity to be involved with a part of my life I thought was only in my past. I officially became a member of AGRA in September 2002. Then in 2004 I ran for MS AGRA and receive the 1st runner up sash. Then in 2008 I became MS AGRA . In October 2008 I competed in New Orleans and was honored to receive the MS IGRA 2009 title.

Since my involvement with Gay Rodeo, I have met many wonderful people from all over the country.

Enjoy Life, Keep Trying and NEVER Give Up!! From the only "Walking & Talking French Fry" you will ever meet...

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Jun 12, 2010
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