This summer's PLAY DAY at Rarity Bay Equestrian Center (Saturday, July 14, 2007) is going to be a great time! The facilities are beautiful and the event is generating lots of enthusiasm from both the Knoxville community and our mid-state members. So far, plans include demonstrations of several rodeo events, hands-on opportunities to try out others, and plenty of food and beverages. The crowd will enjoy several "mock events" that are lots of fun.

The fun will start at 1:00 p.m. and last until 5:00 p.m. There will be plenty of food and drink (donations accepted) and ADMISSION IS FREE. There will be several opportunities to relax and wind down after PLAY DAY at the areas' different clubs.

Driving directions to Rarity Bay Equestrian Center, information about discounted motel room rates, and up-to-date information about the event can all be found at www.smra.net.

Get a group together and plan to play with the cowboys and cowgirls at PLAY DAY!

Please mark your calendars and join us at the Chute Complex on Sunday, July 29, 2007 for SMRA's fifth "Gay Ol' Opry" night! Doors will open at 9:00 p.m. Scheduled performers include SMRA members and 2008 Royalty Candidates. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this fun night! Bring your friends! Proceeds will benefit the Charity Partners of Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association.

On Saturday, June 23, 2007, a small but enthusiastic group of members from the Nashville area took a road trip to Lexington, Kentucky. Our host bar, Crossings Lexington, was very welcoming and treated the gang to a pizza dinner. The recently redecorated club was beautiful. They played country music all night long just for us and all the locals made us feel REALLY welcome. This was a great opportunity for folks in the Lexington area to learn about Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association and gay rodeo. Special thanks to Peter and Bobby for making us feel welcome! Watch for news about upcoming Road Trips to other communities in SMRA's official territory. Don't miss the excitement!

Are these questions that pop up in your mind every time you see that red colored SMRA sash? Well, wonder no more rodeophiles. Coming in July all your questions about SMRA Royalty will be answered. The Smoky Mountian Rodeo Associations website will be update with a new section that is all about - you guessed it - Royalty. Find out who they are, what they do and where you can learn about becoming part of the team yourself 'round mid July at www.smra.net.

The SMRA Logo T-shirts have arrived and several members have already received the T-shirt that ordered from Grigsby. All those who have ordered the T-shirts but have not received them as of yet will be contacted shortly.

An inventory of the pins, bandanas and t-shirts will be made so we can determine what items we will need to replace with new items for sale.

Sheplers is temporarily out of stock of both the White and Blue SMRA shirts. We are waiting for a return call from Sheplers as to when both will be back in stock.

There will be an Inventory meeting planned for the month of July and an announcement will be made as to the date a time in the next few weeks.

Respectfully submitted,

Brad Klein, Inventory Chair

Bill Tedder was born and raised in Fairmont, North Carolina where he attended North Carolina State University and received a BA in Business Management. Bill has worked in the field of Consumer Finance for twenty years in Raleigh, Atlanta and Nashville.

Bill has been actively involved in volunteer work for charity, community activism, and social groups in each of the three cities where he has lived. After moving to Nashville in 1999, Bill became active in Ford GLOBE and NAPP (now the GLBT Chamber) and volunteered for fundraising opportunities benefiting Nashville CARES. In 2003, Bill was recruited into SMRA by one of its founders, and has served as Treasurer for three years.

"The people I have met through SMRA and IGRA make me proud to be a part of it. My most challenging experience was helping to land the 2006 IGRA Convention and serving as Convention Chair.", says Tedder. "It was exciting to see the organization pull together and produce a highly successful event."

Bill finds that being a part of SMRA and seeing the difference we make in the Community is extremely rewarding as he has always had a focus and desire to help those in need.

Hey everyone! Don't miss out on an inexpensive advertising opportunity that has the potential to reach all accross the US and Canada (via www.smra.net). SMRA, on behalf of its Charity Partners, is preparing the Pony Ad-Press that will be distributed at many of our events: Rodeo Nights, Pride Events, Play Days, Trail Blazes, Pub Crawls, etc. For a one time fee supporters can place an advertisement in the Pony Ad-Press for the remainder of the year. If they choose to update the ad to reflect current events prior to printing of the Pony Ad-Press, all they have to do is send us an updated advertisement and we'll be happy to place it in the current edition.

Ad prices are extremely reasonable considering the high amount of exposure that they will receive. CLICK HERE to learn about rates! And CLICK HERE to learn about ad specifications!

This is a great way to support SMRA and our Charity Partners for as little as $25! SMRA is flexible and understanding. Give us a shot! We are very easy to work with. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at jameswall77 @yahoo.com or membership@ smra.net.

Thank you,

Mr. SMRA 2007 Justin James and Steve Bloodworth
Fundraising Co-Chairs

Click here to see the current issue of Pony AdPress

Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association, on behalf of it's Charity Partners, is pleased to announce that they will be hosting their inaugural Cowboy Classic Golf Tournament on Saturday September 15, 2007 at Shelby Golf Club in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament will be a scratch singles tournament with cash prizes being awarded to the top three players. Plans for a $10,000 hole-in-one contest plus additional prizes are anticipated. Registration will be $75.00 per golfer and will include greens fee, cart rental fee, lunch and one (1) door prize ticket per player.

Space is limited and registration has begun. Download a Registration Form now!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Additional information can be found at www.smra.net.

ARTICLE VI, Section II, A The Executive Board of the Organization shall consist of the President Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee, Rodeo Director, and other Vice President, or other appropriate level positions, as determined necessary by the Executive Board of Directors.

CLICK HERE if you would like to print a copy of SMRA's current Bylaws. Questions or comments concerning SMRA Bylaws and Guidelines can be directed to the Bylaws Chair at bylaws@smra.net.

In this event, horse and rider compete for fastest time working a linear pattern through six equally spaced poles. The poles must be at least 6 feet in height and spaced 21 feet apart. A running start is allowed and a 5-second penalty will be assessed for knocking a pole down, and disqualification will take place if the team goes off course.