AND NEW WEST

GAY RODEO: BRIDGING THE OLD & NEW WEST BY CONNIE WARDMAN

Today’s sports leaders are facing tougher competition for players as well as needing to face rapidly changing generational trends that impact their recruiting efforts for new players, like the increasing importance of social media, live streaming and changes in family structures. They also need to be effective leaders who listen to what their members have to say. IGRA President Candy Pratt is more than capable of meeting the challenge of bridging the Old West with the New West.

In spite of changing times, LGBTQ sports leagues and their tournaments always give back to the LGBTQ community, helping to increase positive visibility in a continuing effort to break down stereotypes that breed homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism and sexism. For IGRA, founded in 1985, the idea of positive community – of loving rodeo, the LGBTQ Western lifestyle and supporting amateur sportsmanship through participation, competition and recognition while breaking gender stereotypes is still the cornerstone of IGRA’s mission.

As IGRA’s all-time leading All-Around Champion, Pratt was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2009. Rodeo is her way of life and her leadership philosophy mirrors that of her organization: “Be yourself, have fun and speak up. The competition is important but it is only part of the overall experience.” Having spent years in various leadership positions within the organization traveling around the country to support newly-formed local IGRA associations, one of her goals as president is to provide more structure and support for the 19 Gay Rodeo Associations and their numerous individual chapters across the U.S.

Another of Pratt’s goals is to expand opportunities for rodeo school teaching and mentoring of new members, getting them involved in IGRA. Growing the membership/contestant base and infusing more fun into all aspects of IGRA will play a role in the strategic planning process where Pratt will be involving the membership in setting “a vision that ensures a vibrant, relevant organization that meets the needs of IGRA members and community both now and in the future.”