IGRA Hall of Fame

The IGRA Hall of Fame honors individuals who have provided for the development and growth of gay rodeo, or who have accrued an outstanding record or achieved a prominent position in the sport.

Nomination form Fill out and mail to address on the form, or you may return a completed form via e-mail.

2011 Inductees

Bob Pimentel Bob Pimentel has been a leader in gay IGRA rodeo for years. Bob was born in Redwood City, California just south of San Francisco. Bob started with gay rodeo in 1984 and continues to today. He has always maintained a personal commitment to gay rodeo, the western life style, and various AIDS/HIV related causes. More about Bob

Erin Eaton In November 1984 Texas hosted its first gay rodeo near Houston. When Erin arrived she knew she had to get involved somehow, so she worked as a Secretarial volunteer. The “Rodeo Bug” bit Erin hard at that first rodeo. Throughout her 20 year rodeo career, Erin worked in many positions from Chute coordinator to arena director across the IGRA circuit. More about Erin

2010 Inductees

Bryn Geerdes All Bryn ever wanted to be was a cowgirl. And so she was! At age 2, wearing her brother’s cowboy hat and boots, she would ride a wooden bench for a horse with a mop for a tail. More about Bryn

David Hill David was born in March 1954 in Alaska – which at that time, was still a territory. His parents, originally from Wyoming, moved to Alaska to seek work on the Alaska railroad. In 1955, they returned to Wyoming where he grew up. More about David

2009 Inductees

John Beck John started riding on a black & white rocking horse that his dad made. He then received his first pony on Christmas Day, 1954. When he was in the 5th grade, his family moved to O’Neill, Nebraska where he joined the local 4-H club and started showing cattle and horses. More about John

Charley Lanier If he were thrifty, kind, and reverent, Charley Lanier could be the consummate Boy Scout, but fortunately for TGRA and IGRA, he channeled his dedication and talents to our organizations instead. More about Charley

Candy Pratt Candy Pratt was born in Dallas and grew up in Irving, Texas. She became the owner of her first horse when she was 8 years old. With intense practice and dedication, her horsemanship skills earned her hundreds of trophies, plaques, and other awards. More about Candy

2008 Inductees

Chuck Browning Chuck Browning was born in Casper, Wyoming where he was exposed to the ranch and rodeo lifestyle. He moved to Phoenix after graduating college and it was there that he was first introduced to IGRA in 1989. It would soon become apparent that rodeo was in his blood and a passion in his life. More about Chuck

Bobbie St. Jeor Bobbie became involved with gay rodeo when the Springfield Chapter of the Missouri Gay Rodeo Association was formed in 1991. More about Bobbie

Ron Jesser Ron was one of the Fathers of Gay Rodeo. He was instrumental in forming the original framework of IGRA and in the development of the first IGRA Rodeo Rules. More about Ron

2007 Inductees

Roger Bergmann Roger believes his greatest achievement was when he was elected President of the IGRA where he served from 1993 through 1995. He has great pride in the friendships he made during those years, and the accomplishments that were made by IGRA and all of the Member Associations. More about Roger

Sharon (Casey) Norman Casey is a spirited, inquisitive and a fearless individual. Her love of animals, ranching chores and rodeo, while growing up on the family ranch, started her rodeo career. In 1961, when she was told she couldn’t ride a buffalo, her response was “Put him in the chute.” Casey won the Little Britches Rodeo that year. More about Casey

2006 Inductees

Al Bell Al Bell left his legacy in the city of Long Beach with his country western flair. More about Al

Candy Bell Candy participated in rodeos for 10 years and won over 100 buckles, including 13 international championships. She finished her competitive career in 2001 in the same way she had started, by winning the steer riding buckle at the Phoenix rodeo. More about Candy

Phil Ragsdale In Reno in 1975, Phil came up with the idea of an amateur rodeo as a fundraiser. He thought it would be a “kick” and although Phil passed away in 1991, he surely would be amazed to see how that dream has evolved thirty years later. Following is some of the story from the history of gay rodeo and IGRA. More about Phil

2005 Inductees

Linn Copeland As a founding member of KGRA, Linn was instrumental in getting the organization up and running and Kansas was seated at the second IGRA convention in 1986, along with Missouri and New Mexico. More about Linn

John King John King, along with Wayne Jakino, Al Bell, and Terry Clark were IGRA’s “Fantastic Four”. They blazed a trail for all of us to follow, at a time when gay and rodeo were not fashionable. More about John

Sande Miller Sande Miller joined the International Gay Rodeo Association in 1987. She was inspirational in changing the level of competition, raising the bar throughout and encouraging other female contestants. More about Sande

2004 Inductees

Wayne Jakino Once upon a time, there was a man with a vision. This vision came about because a drag queen (or so they were called at the time) bumped into this man at the National Reno Gay Rodeo in 1981. More about Wayne

Greg Olson When one thinks of gay rodeo, many dynamic competitors come to mind. Among fans of gay rodeo, a trademark polka dot shirt looms large even today. This gentleman, and he truly was a gentleman, was the epitome of sportsmanship both inside and outside the arena. More about Greg