Happy Fourth of July! We hope you enjoy this edition of the "Smoky Mountain Round- Up".
We welcome your comments and suggestions! Please visit our website at www.smra.net!

This years pride festival has passed and our presence was a great success. First we have to send a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped by donating money for the mechanical bull. We wouldn't have had all the attention that we received at the festival with out it. Almost eighty people rode the bull (right) in the four hours we had it. Not to mention all the people who stopped by to watch the riders.
Also, BIG thanks to Michael W. and all the volunteers that helped everything run smoothly throughout the day, and keeping the crowds under control. It would seem that we generated quite a bit of interest in Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association and what we are doing.

Royalty Bash! A Big Success!

"Thank You" from Mr. SMRA ...
Royalty

A Royalty Bash was held on June 10th at TRAX. SMRA had its monthly General Membership meeting to start the night off. The evening started off with members only but the crowd grew fast. We fed about fifty-five people. TRAX was nice to provide the meat and all the fixin's. Jack M. brought beans and his famous jell-o shots. I was able to earn around $300 for my Royalty fundraising. We did karaoke and had a lot of FUN!!!! Members surprised us with what they can sing and do!!!!! THANKS TO ALL!!!!!!!
Skip Flather, Mr. SMRA 2006

Mr. Bud Light 2007

Only One Preliminary Contest Remaining!
Mr. BL Blu

Mr. Bud Light Blu proved to be as entertaining as the other three preliminaries! There were two well- qualified contestants but, of course, only one can win and that was Michael (at left). With a combination of ice on his chest and his sweet smile, he will be hard to beat at the finals!
If you haven't come to a preliminary round you have one chance left. Mr. Bud Light Play on July 14th is the last of the five preliminary contests. After that, the finals will be held in August. It's one heck of a time. You don't want to miss it!
Click Here for more information about the Mr. Bud Light Contest including the official rules, and Click Here to download a Registration Form for your friends.
(Please remember that SMRA members are not eligible to compete in the Mr. Bud Light competition. However, members should encourage qualified candidates to participate!)

Yard Sales & Car Washes!

Mark your calendars and plan to participate ...

SMRA will be holding two more Yard Sale/Car Wash events this summer. They're both going to be on Saturdays and will begin as yard sales (from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.) and then become a car washes (from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.). The dates are as follows:

July 22nd at The Chute Complex
August 19th at Lipstick Lounge

Please set aside items to donate to the Yard Sales and gather buckets, sponges, towels, etc. for the Car Washes. These Saturdays will be great fundraisers and a lot of fun, too!
Tell your friends! They don't have to get all "gussied up" like the shopper in this picture (above), but they do need to bring some cash and a dirty car!

SMRA's "Gay Ol' Opry" Night!

First Country Music Show Was A Great Success!
Sunday evening June 25, 2006 was SMRA's first "Gay Ol' Opry" Night. SMRA co-hosted this event with one of our charities, the Bianca Page Awareness Network (BPAN). The evening raised over $500.00 to be shared by SMRA and BPAN.
SMRA would like to thank all its members, not only those that performed, but those that came to support the event. Also, a huge thanks goes out to ALL the performers that made the night a success. Their time and talents are greatly appreciated. Finally, thanks to the Chute complex for letting us use their show room for our benefit.
Be watching for an announcement about another show to be coming soon. SMRA has been asked by the performers and patrons to do this on a regular basis, so we will see how it works out!
Thanks again to Jack M. and everyone else that made SMRA's first "Gay Ol' Opry" Night a big success!

Convention Corner

IGRA Convention Update:
Convention Logo

Hi everyone! Plans for the IGRA Convention are rolling right along, but we could sure use your help! I don't think any of us understood the amount of work it was going to take to pull off four days of meetings, socials and parties. I have had several of you ask what you can do to help. Well, for starters, come to the monthly Convention Committee meetings so that you are up to speed on what is happening. It's always good for the left hand to know what the right hand is doing. LOL!! Secondly, get with Tom regarding ad sales and Justin/Jack regarding sponsorship solicitation. These are our two areas of need right now. If everyone sold one ad and got one sponsor, we would be set!
Despite all the hard work and pre-planning, there is going to be lots to do that week/weekend (Oct. 19th - 22nd). Please plan to take vacation if you can and be available to volunteer. Opportunities to assist are endless, and we fully expect each of you, as an SMRA member, to help show IGRA what a great organization we have put together. The growth, friendship and camaraderie that has developed over the past three years is amazing. Thanks for getting us here! Now let's show 'em what we can do. See you at our next meeting at the Chute, Tuesday, July 11th, 6pm.
Bill Tedder - 2006 IGRA Convention Chair

SMRA Bylaws Education
Did you know? ... Article VII Section I A (Corporation Insignias, Colors - Flag/Banner) of SMRA's Bylaws states that before the flag/banner appears in a public event, other than an SMRA or IGRA function, a majority vote is required at the general membership meeting? It's true! If you would like a copy of SMRA's current Bylaws and Guidelines, send an email to membership@smra.net.

Featured Rodeo Event ...

Bareback Bronc Riding
Bronc Rider

A specially designed collection of leather and cinches used for this event is called a "bareback riggin." Compared to the bull rope, this one is really tied on to the animal and has a built-in hand hold. Another difference is that the rider must start the ride with both of his or her feet extended forward over the horse's shoulders and on the first leap out of the chute, "rake" backwards toward the horse's rump. If the rider misses this, called "marking out", it does not matter how great the rest of the ride is, he or she will receive a DQ. If the rider is lucky enough to make the 6 seconds, he or she may be plucked to safety as the two "pick-up men" move in and attempt to rescue the rider from his or her bucking mount. Contestants may elect to ride two-handed from start to finish, but will also receive a lower score.