The Canadian Connection
The Central Canada Gay Rodeo Association, CCGRA, is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing associations in the International Gay Rodeo Association. (IGRA) In partnership with the only other Canadian association, the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association, ARGRA, we put the 'I' in IGRA.
ARGRA was founded in 1991 and held their first rodeo, The Canadian Rockies International Rodeo, in 1993. Later that same year ARGRA was granted recognition as the first non-American member association of IGRA. ARGRA is now the largest gay rodeo association in the world with over 400 members. The Canadian Rockies International Rodeo meanwhile has become one of the most popular and unique rodeos in North America and draws over 4,000 fans every year. The CCGRA owes a great debt of gratitude to our friends at ARGRA. They have cheered us into existence, have individually become members of CCGRA and have been steadfast supporters of our development.
Brad Steele was a member of ARGRA and a competing rodeo cowboy. Upon relocating to Toronto, Brad had a desire to bring that same sense of community and country fun to his new province. In partnership with Mark Samuel they organized the first CCGRA 'introductory meet and greet' on February 19, 2006 at WOODYS in Toronto. The turnout was significant and the goodwill was undeniable. The CCGRA was born. At our first membership meeting on March 16th 2006, seven individuals attended including Brad, Mark, Peter Dillon, Daryl Keating, Jake, Rob P and Mike. Brad was elected the first President of CCGRA, Mark as Vice President and Peter as Treasurer. Later Peter become our first IGRA Trustee. In May, 2006 we voted our distinctive logo into existence. Then, on August 25th, 2006 the CCGRA was Incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in the Province of Ontario.
The three main priorities for the CCGRA in its first year were to be officially recognized by the IGRA, to expand our membership base and to encourage members to compete on the International circuit. On Saturday, October 21, 2006 in Nashville, TN, the CCGRA were officially welcomed with a standing ovation into the IGRA family as a member association representing Ontario. The CCGRA delegation that day consisted of Brad, Mark and Peter. In the meantime, through numerous local pub nights, the CCGRA continued to increase our membership to 41 after 6 months and 62 after year 1. In January, 2007 three CCGRA members, Peter, Daryl and Mark, proudly took to the field at the Phoenix Rodeo under the banner of the CCGRA. Since that time CCGRA members have brought home dozens of IGRA rodeo ribbons and 5 Championship Buckles.
Our first anniversary party was held on Sunday, Feb 18 2007 at WOODYS. John Beck and IGRA Secretary, Larry Lindstrom of the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association attended the event to support our new association. Their encouragement and counsel has been much appreciated. 2007 also witnessed our first ever booth at Toronto Pride...complete with barn board, chaps and straw bales! Special thanks to Ian, Peter, Mark and our Creative goddess, Bronwin Parks for pulling together a first class CCGRA outpost!
As with all IGRA associations, it was a priority for our CCGRA membership that we give back to our community. In March 2007 we were thrilled to select the Central Ontario Developmental Riding Program (CODRP) at Pride Stables as our designated charity. In Dec 2007 we were able to sponsor a horse in the program, Shasta, and she has brought much joy to many young lives. We are proud of our association with the CODRP program and continue to support it to this day. At our 2007 Annual General meeting there was a changing of the guard. Due to a need to relocate, Brad had previously announced his intention to step down as President. At the August AGM held at Cedar's campground, Mark was elected President, Peter was elected Vice President and re-elected membership director and Trustee, Ian Bowles was elected Treasurer and Brad assumed the position of Past President.
The priorities of the next year were ambitious, to continue to expand our membership base, to broaden our range of offered activities and finally, to win the right to hold a future IGRA International Convention. Through a series of successful events at The Black Eagle (thanks Carlos and Adrian) and more recently at Gladamans Pub (thanks Rob) of Toronto and our 2nd Anniversary blast at Woodys Feb 2008, we have increased our visibility and membership from 79 at year 2 to over 90 today. An xmas dinner and pub crawl in December were well received and showed Toronto how much fun a bunch of crazy cowboys can have.
In an attempt to expand upon our rodeo and social origins we agreed to put greater energy into outreach, skills development and horsemanship in 2008. On June 14 2008, on a beautiful sunny day, we held our first ever CCGRA Trail Ride and BBQ at The RANCH. Completely sold out a week in advance, over 46 cowboys and cowgals enjoyed a ride in the country and hours of friendship afterward around the BBQ. We welcomed the Out & Out club of Toronto to join us that day and many of their members took part. Trail Rides continue as a key activity of the CCGRA.
On November 8-11, 2007 a delegation of the CCGRA attended the IGRA convention. We bid upon and won the right to hold the 2009 IGRA Royalty Competition and Convention. Prepared by Mark and Bruce McDonald, supported greatly by Tourism Toronto and presented by Mark, Peter and Jamie Dunlop, the CCGRA bid won both applause and praise. We look forward to hosting up to 300 IGRA delegates to Toronto in November 2009!
Since early 2007 the 'image' of the CCGRA has been in the hands of two talented individuals, Bronwin Parks and John Stortz. Bronwin has created most of our imagery, branding and print pieces while John has transformed our newsletter, the 'Hitching Post', into something that we are very proud of. Thanks to you both. In 2009, Kevin Sanford stepped forward and completely redesigned our website. Thanks to Kevin for providing an attractive and informative face to CCGRA.
Since our Sept 2008 AGM our executive has evolved once again. Our current Board consists of Mark as President, Peter as Vice President and Trustee, Eric Wegler as Treasurer, Yves Provost as Secretary, Bronwin Parks as Creative Director, Kevin Sanford as WebMaster, Ed LaPointe as Convention Chair, Peter Calabrese as Membership and Sponsorship Chair and Bruce MacDonald, Greg McDowell and Shawn Sheridan as Directors at Large. Many thanks to the current board...and to those who have proceeded them...for establishing a strong, exciting country voice in Eastern Canada.
2009 was the most active in CCGRA history. We held a number of exciting pub nights in Toronto and Hamilton and operated two highly successful Trail Rides at a new venue, Wildwood Ranch in the Halton Hills. The highlight of the year however was beyond a doubt our hosting of the IGRA 25TH Anniversary Convention and Royalty competition. A huge amount of time, energy and resources were poured into this endeavour as we sought to showcase our city to the delegates and our organization to the community.
Many, many thanks to our Convention executive who made Convention a massive success. The sessions went off seamlessly, our 3 social events were great successes, we generated hundreds of dollars for our charity partner and the delegates had an amazing time in Toronto. Over 160 delegates attended convention and heard Rev. Brent Hawkes of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto and Councillor Kyle Rae of Toronto present keynote addresses at the opening ceremonies. Over 500 real and aspiring cowboys/cowgirls attended our Brokeback Saloon and Wild West Dance and kicked up their heels in style. As 2009 had come to a close we had truly launched the CCGRA in the minds of Southern Ontario and had won over many new members, friends and kindred spirits.
