Finals Rodeo in Review

The 2005 Finals Rodeo was a record-breaking event in many ways. New ground was broken in an effort to find ways to entertain the crowd. Marketing reached new heights as we attempted to let you know about the rodeo and reach a new audience. And it's clear that it was working as it was the largest paid attendance at Finals Rodeo in IGRA history! Read all the results here, and read the reviews here.

Preview Rough Stock Events

In all rough stock riding events, two judges score the ride. Each judge can award a maximum of 50 points: 25 points to the animal and 25 points to the rider. The rider must demonstrate skill and control in the ride, while attempting to increase the animal’s performance by spurring. The animal is judged on its sped, strength of bucking, and any unusual moves that make it more difficult to ride. “Flank straps” are also used to enhance the animal’s performance by placing the strap near the back legs of the animal. Read More

Jay Beck, Chute Coordinator

Jay Beck is from Fort Worth and he started out in the rodeo right of the bat. "When I came out one of the first things I became interested in was TGRA. My Friend Tim Appling and I decided to join TGRA and see what this GAY RODEO was all about." He went right to work, at Finals Rodeo in Fort Worth in 1993. Read more

Royalty Competition Continues

State winners from all over America will be competing for the titles of Mr IGRA, Ms IGRA, Miss IGRA and MisTer IGRA. The champions will be crowned aon Saturday night. At 7:00 tonight, you can enjoy the Parade of States,and all of the contestants will show off their talents in the Entertainment competition. Read More

Preview Speed Events

It's a Rush! Speed and agility are two highly prized qualities in these contestant’s horses. These three speed events pit the horse, under the skillful hand of its rider, against the clock. Negotiating the prescribed pattern is a test of the rider’s skill and the horse’s speed and agility. Read More

RD Lynch, Rodeo Announcer

R.D. Lynch first joined TGRA's Dallas Chapter in 1984. He has worked in a number of positions over his very illustrious career. Read More

Royalty Competition Gets Underway Tonight

A big part of this week's celebration is the International Royalty Competition. It all kicks off tonight at the Holiday Inn Select Love Field, across from the airport on Mockingbird. Read More

The Round Up Saloon

22 years as a grand champion Commercial Member: from the very beginning. That is quite a record of long-time involvement. But more than that, the owners of the Round Up, Gary Miller and Alan Pierce have a significant record of personal involvement with TGRA. Read More

Preview Roping Events

Gay rodeo presents three roping events with one designed for beginners. The other two can be costly, because your success depends on a very good horse. Read more

Jeanne McLeod, Arena Director

Her first contact was the TGRA Rodeo in Austin in 1988. It was an immediate infatuation. "I got hooked seeing all the fun people were having watching all the cowboys and cowgirls." Read more

Getting Around Dallas

Once you've arrived in Dallas, there are several options for getting around town. If you have a car, the route between the two host hotels, the Arena and the bar district is a simple commute. Read more

Walter G. and Emilie L. Gadient Foundation Trust

At 83 years of age, Mrs. Emilie Gadient is undoubtedly the elder statesperson of TGRA Commercial Members. Read more

Tamara Marks, Scorekeeper

TAMARA MARKS is a member of Heartland Gay Rodeo Association, and has been involved with IGRA Rodeo since 1996. Michigan is where it all started for her. Tamara was intrigued to read in a gay newspaper about the Michigan Gay Rodeo and its charitable fund raising. Read more

Camp It Up! Rodeo Event Profile

Whenever a group of cowhands get together for a good time, hell is going to be raised! Cowhands generally have their own definition of fun and challenge. After a few beers and some serious ego pumping, it is amazing what a group of hands can come up with! Sixty percent of gay contestants get their start in these three events and the old-timers stay in because the payoffs (or winnings) are the best of all events. Read more

Get a Kick from our Rodeo Festival

Gay Rodeos always have vendors displaying their wares. And this one is no exception. We'll have a big variety of vendors for you to choose from. Read More

TGRA's Dallas Chapter Bringing Rodeo Back to Town

Not since 2002 has an IGRA rodeo been held in Dallas. For the members of TGRA's Dallas Chapter, that's too long. So TGRA began a movement to bring Finals Rodeo here. Read more

Saluting Rodeo Judges at Finals

Rodeo Judges are called upon to make those split second decisions that affect the fortunes of contestants and insure fair competition for all. The four judges working the Finals Rodeo are among the best on the IGRA circuit. Read more

The Eagle Welcomes Finals to Town

The Eagle has been a Dallas institution for years - and has been a Commercial Member of TGRA for 10 of those years. Our series sales another of our Rodeo Sponsors. Read more

HeroUnit Productions to Televise Finals

HeroUnit became an IGRA Sponsor earlier this year, and boy did they hit the ground running! After televising half of the 2005 rodeos, they will come to Dallas for their grand finale at Finals Rodeo. Read the story

Rodeo Officials Profile: Michael Doughman

Michael Doughman - Executive Director of the Dallas Tavern Guild - is one of the movers and shakers in the Dallas gay community. He always seems to be at the center of the action. And though he only began announcing rodeos in 2002, he's actually been involved since the very beginning. He was in Reno in 1979 for the very first gay rodeo that eventually led to the international organization we have today. Read the story

Commercial Members Profile: Woodys' Sports Bar

Woody's Sports Bar is fairly new on the Dallas bar scene. But they've been an enthusiastic supporter of the gay rodeo for the past year. They've found a good crowd of gay sports fans, so it's a natural fit. They became Commercial Members of TGRA a year ago. They say gay rodeo is important to the community because of its ability to showcase the sport of rodeo in a non-discriminatory arena. Read more

AB's James Ramey named Grand Marshal

For the past eight years, James Ramey has developed and managed the production of all Anheuser-Busch's GLBT-specific marketing. It was a journey that did not follow so-called traditional paths. Read the whole story.

• For the first 100 to purchase Finals Rodeo Combo tickets (for Saturday and Sunday), free passes will be available to a VIP screening of the motion picture Brokeback Mountain. More details

• Canadian Country crooner Patrick Masse will entertain at Finals Rodeo. It will mark his second straight appearance at Finals. More...

• Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald to appear at Finals. After a very successful performance at the Cowtown Rodeo, Matthew has been invited to showcase his talents in Dallas. More

•  The Turtle Creek Chorale to perform at Finals Rodeo. Finals Rodeo Director Karroll Parker announced today that the world-renowned Turtle Creek Chorale has agreed to produce the Grand Entry ceremonies for IGRA's 2005 Finals Rodeo to be held in Dallas November 12-13, 2005. More...

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