Preparations are well underway for Atlantic Stampede 2005 and we are on track to have a memorable rodeo weekend September 9, 10 and 11. I am pleased to announce that IGRA President Brian Helander will be a guest at this year's events. We have had the pleasure of his company as a contestant many times in the past and look forward to feting him as our new President this September.

On a separate note, our current contract with the Hyatt Hotel expires with this year's event. Along with the Hyatt, our ad hoc Host Hotel Committee has also explored a number of other properties in the city. After due consideration, we have chosen to remain with the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill through 2007.

As is frequently the case with volunteer organizations, we are in need of folks willing to devote time and talent towards producing this year's rodeo. While we have been very lucky to have folks step forward and assume some roles, we're still looking for help with Social and Entertainment. We can assure you of ample support and guidance. Won't you please consider volunteering to serve the Association? Thanks!

Gaither Pennington, ASGRA President

Rev. Jesse Jackson

Need a place to practice your calf roping? Looking for some instruction on Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, or Flags? Then July and August are the months for you! Two of our ASGRA members have graciously agreed to open up their farm, Thundering Hooves, located at 13279 Croom Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, for some training opportunities.

Calf Roping-July 17th (2 - 4 p.m.) and August 14th (2 - 4 p.m.) are the dates for practice. The farm is not yet set up to accommodate live calves, but hay bales with calf heads will be available for those who want to practice their roping skills. No instructor will be provided for these events, it is simply a chance to come and hone your skills with a little practice. There is no charge for these events.

Speed Events-August 6th (10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.) is the time to practice barrels, flags, and pole bending. If there is rain or other inclement weather on the 6th, the rain date for this clinic will be the 7th. There will be a well qualified instructor on site for this event and students are asked to plan on paying the instructor directly on-site. The cost will be $25/student and participants should plan on bringing cash to cover their registration fee. All participants will need to bring a horse and provide negative Coggins documentation. If needed, there is very limited boarding space at the farm. Please contact Louis or Andy directly at 301-579-6005, to inquire about availability/cost for boarding your horse.

Pre-registration for these events is required so that we know how many people to expect at each event. Registration is available on-line at www.asgra.org. Please note that payment for the Speed Events clinic will be handled on-site the day of the event and students should come prepared to pay the $25 fee in cash.

Many thanks go out to Louis and Andy for making their farm available to us for these events.

Scott Smiley, ASGRA Treasurer

It is with deepest regrets that I have to announce that the Boards of Directors for MIGRA met on April 30 and voted to cancel our rodeo for the rodeo year 2005. MIGRA deeply regrets this action, but due to circumstances, we felt that it was in the best interests of the organization and IGRA to delay a year and produce a quality event in the 2006 rodeo year.

David Hallwood, Migra Trustee

ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am!
Regardless of the weather, ASGRA's monthly trail rides are held at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days:
June 5th: Take a trot through the Maryland woodlands in late spring!
July 3rd: Celebrate Independence Day weekend with a leisurely walk through the cool forest.
For further information, contact Patrick at 202-352-2356.

Upcoming 2005 IGRA Rodeos

Zia Regional Rodeo NMGRA Albuquerque, NM June 17-19, 2005
North Star Regional Rodeo NSGRA Minneapolis-St Paul, MN July 1-3, 2005
Canadian Rockies International Rodeo ARGRA Calgary, Alberta July 1-3, 2005

This year, ASGRA and Carol's Western Wear will be awarding the first annual "Billy Collison Volunteer Award". This award will be given to a volunteer for ASGRA and Stampede 2005. Billy was deeply involved in many aspects of our community and the word volunteer was truly his middle name. Please keep in mind all those who work hard at ASGRA all year and make a nomination in June and July for this special belt buckle which will be donated by Carol's Western Wear. The award will be awarded at Atlantic Stampede 2005 on Sunday during Grand Entry.

NY Pride is coming!

The date is Sunday June 26 and parade line up will be @11am. More info coming soon; contact to volunteer.

ASGRA Elections 2005

We are seeking out people that would be interested in running for the executive board of ASGRA. This year, we will be electing people for the following positions:
President and Treasurer; for 2 year terms
ASGRA Trustee; 3 year term.

For more information on these positions or to serve on the Nominations Committee, contact Rachel Barnett at .

Have you ever wanted a more visible way to help local or national charities? Well here's your chance....
We are currently searching for contestants for the 2006 ASGRA Royalty Team. Information, requirements and applications are available on the web site.

ASGRA PRIDE Events:

Kick off Pride at Remington's: Friday, June 10, 2005
"Get Bucked"
Ride the Bull if you Dare!

If you would like to walk with ASGRA in the DC Pride parade on June 11 please contact Membership Chair Ric Legg. Join ASGRA with Bud Light at the festival on Sunday, June 12. ASGRA will also be at Philly Pride (June 12), New York Pride (June 26) and Baltimore Pride (June 18). Any ASGRA members who would like to participate in Baltimore Pride's 'Block Party' on June 18th please contact Rudy at .

2-5 ASGRA at Gay Days in Orlando, Florida
4 12noon DC Youth Pride; P Street Park
5 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
7 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
8 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
9 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel
11 6:30pm DC Pride Parade; Dupont Circle
12 11am DC Pride Festival; Pennsylvania Ave., NW
12 12-6pm Philly Pride Parade at 13th & Locust Sts; Festival at Broad & Washington Sts.
14 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
15 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
18 4pm Baltimore Pride Parade; Charles St.
18 6-10pm Baltimore Pride Block Party; Charles & Eager Sts.
19 11-6pm Baltimore Pride Festival; Druid Hill Park
19-26 NYC Pride Week
21 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities
26 noon NYC Pride Parade; 5th Ave. & 52nd St.
26 11-6pm NYC Pride Festival; Greenwich and Washington Sts.
26 4-11pm NYC Pride Dance; Hudson River Park, Pier 54
28 9:30pm Bingo Night at Titan to benefit ASGRA charities

Comstock Stampede was held the weekend of May 13-15 in Reno, NV. Destiny and Jymmye headed out early and helped judge the HSRA Royalty contest. (Be sure to ask them about Swamp Water and new jewelry.) ASGRA VP Mike S., Lonni La Bel (aka Reddi Whip), Tee Tramp and MaryLynn Logsdon joined Jymmye and Destiny in Reno. Apparently a few things were forgotten in Washington (e.g. the Spirit Stick and a certain IGRA 1st Runner Up's sash). Thankfully a certain ASGRA VP was able to pick up the sash and give it to them in Reno. This trip also brought Reddi Whip back into the arena for the first time in 2 years and she returned with a ribbon. Welcome back Reddi Whip!!

Xavier Bottoms, MsTer ASGRA is hosting a fundraiser the end of May. The details of that will come in the next issue. Where is Busty Bottoms, Ms ASGRA?? At the beginning of this month, she went to visit a friend in NJ and broke her ankle. After putting it back together, she went to stay with her parents in Florida to recuperate. We expect her home soon and a large fundraiser to follow. Rudy held 2 fundraisers last month for SLDN and raised $1500.