WELCOME FROM THE IGRA VICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT

VP THANK YOU FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

I would like to thank the 2018 Royalty Team for all their hard work and dedication this year. You’ve made my job as vice president so much easier and I couldn’t be more grateful than to have had this year with you.

To the 2019 Team, you have big shoes to fill but I am confident you can rise to the occasion. Good luck and enjoy your year. Candy Pratt, your leadership as IGRA president has been second to none; thank you for your guidance. To Boogie and Laura, thank you for your time and patience; you’ve been invaluable to my growth for the past 11 months.

To all the judges for taking time out of your busy schedules to make your mark on this contest, I thank you. To our emcees, Douglas Graff, Madison Deveroux, Aspen Vail, Chris Wilson and Kelly O’Neil, thank you for your talents. To Frank Harrell, Gene Fraikes and Bud Light, a million thanks. And last but not least, a HUGE thank you to Michael Brent and Jerry Griffin; you have done our DJ’ing year-afteryear for the royalty competition without a complaint. I am honored and grateful to have you back again. Sincerely, Mary Honeycutt IGRA Vice President

FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SO MUCH MORE THAN

A COMPETITION

Competition at the World Gay Rodeo Finals (WGRF) is the culmination of the year for gay rodeo, showing off the best competitors from all of IGRA’s (International Gay Rodeo Association) rodeo associations' competitions. But the rodeo is so much more than a competition. It’s a living reminder, a microcosmic view of the western lifestyle of community, one where all are welcome.

I’m always impressed by the strong sense of family that you see and feel at the gay rodeos. That bond is also exhibited by all the LGBTQ sports leagues but none in quite the same strong, old fashioned “neighbor helping neighbor” feeling that always happens at the rodeo.

In many respects, the WGRF is IGRA’s annual family reunion where “y’all come and have fun” is the order of the day. I don’t know about you but my family reunions have never included hauling horses, steers, bulls and goats to the gathering nor have any of us adorned our blue jeans with fabulous belt buckles or held royalty pageants. It makes my family reunions seem pretty dull.

But there is nothing dull about the WGRF! So enjoy the competition but don’t forget to soak up the warmth that comes from seeing old friends, making new ones and helping out when needed – it’s the code of the western lifestyle that is at the heart of rodeo.

Connie Wardman, M.A., SDLT Executive Editor connie@competenetwork.com @CompeteConnie COMPETE MAGAZINE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Connie Wardman, M.A., SDLT

connie@competenetwork.com PUBLISHER/CEO

Eric Carlyle, SDLT

eric@competenetwork.com This special issue of Compete was created in partnership with the World Gay Rodeo Finals. If your organization produces or hosts a run, tournament, sports festival, awards ceremony or other type of event, please contact Compete today to find out how we can partner to produce a high-quality issue unique to your organization and its special events. Send us an email at publications@competenetwork.com

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