Circle the wagons—the L.A. Gay Rodeo is coming to town Aug. 3-6, bringing with it tons of Wild Western fun.

By John Hobbs

With the unrelenting sun beating down on their broad shoulders, the two cowboys amble out to their designated mark, some 50 feet from the tether that restrains their savage opponent. Assuming the position, one removes his ten-gallon hat and wipes the sweat from his forehead while the other mentally prepares himself for the showdown between man and beast. They both know that when the whistle blows, they'll have just seconds to take their furry foe down, despite its hearty protests. To the cowboys, the mission is crystal clear: They must take a pair of jockey-style underwear and fit them securely over the hindquarters of their nemesis—an unsuspecting, but headstrong goat.

Though goat dressing may seem like the handiwork of a couple of devilish pranksters, the hilarious camp competition is actually just one of the many rodeo events coming to an equestrian arena near you as the glamorous City of Angels gets in touch with its Wild Western roots for the L.A. Gay Rodeo taking place Aug. 3-6 at the L.A. Equestrian Center in Burbank.

L.A.’s gay rodeo story goes back just over two decades to the year 1985 when California became the fourth state to hold its own gay rodeo—a phenomenon born a decade before when Phil Ragsdale began the National Reno Gay Rodeo to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The gay rodeo scene steadily grew, marching into state after state, until, in 1985, a handful of independent state rodeos joined forces and created the International Gay Rodeo Association. To date, with 26 member associations spread throughout the United States and Canada, the International Gay Rodeo Association has helped raise over $2 million to support causes important to the gay and lesbian community.

Many expect 2006 to bring about the gay rodeo's most impressive growth spurt yet thanks in large part to the success of last year's Oscar-winning flick, Brokeback Mountain, which helped to shine a spotlight on the gay cowboy scene. "[Brokeback Mountain] has made a big impact at the country and western bars with people learning new country and western dances. All of their attendances are up. We're hoping that ours will be up too," says Roz Campbell, vice president of rodeo operations for the Los Angeles chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association (GSGRA).

Even without the Brokeback effect, this year’s rodeo is expected to lure thousands of country-western folk to its festivities, which kick off Thursday, Aug. 3 with a shopping night at King’s Western Wear. Partygoers can buy some new duds and then mosey on over to Oil Can Harry's for the official kick-off celebration beginning at 7:30 p.m. The opening night fete is the first of several scheduled throughout the weekend, which, for many, is just as much about the social connections as it is about the competition.

“There is a strong sense of camaraderie and an opportunity for long-term friendships to develop. Many people enjoy the country venue because they do not feel like they are being held to a certain standard. They can actually be themselves,” says Greg Brown, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the GSGRA.

Other planned social events include a pool party, a country bear jamboree, and the cowgirl/cowboy formal—all of which take place at the rodeo's host hotel, the Hilton Burbank Airport. Even at the rodeo, spectators can steal away from the main event to kick up their heels in the country dance tent, risk it all in the casino area, or take in a live music or line-dancing show.

Of course if it's the thrill of the match-up between man and beast that gets you going, the actual rodeo, taking place Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., offers a titillating line-up of bronco bucking, steer wrestling, and varmint lassoing. The competition begins with the grand entry, where contestants are introduced and fans pay tribute to fallen rodeo family members with a special event called Riderless Horse.

From there, the rodeo's two-day schedule is chock full of exciting competitions ranging from dangerous rough-and-tumble events like bull riding—a favorite among spectators—to hilarious camp events such as steer decorating, where a two-person team attempts to remove a rope from a steer's horns while tying a ribbon around its tail. "Our contestants are the real thing. They own horses or have grown up on ranches or may have some attachment to livestock in some fashion. Just like other rodeos, [the L.A. Gay Rodeo] gives them a chance to show off their skills through competition," says Brown.

Watching the events safely from the grandstands is one thing, but what if someone wants to experience the adrenaline rush of actually competing? "Everybody is welcome. It doesn't matter who you are. If you're coming to have a good time, so are we," muses Campbell, exuding the welcoming warmth characteristic of the country and western crowd. "We have a wide variety of people who compete—from [ranchers] to executives. We have people from all over the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany. We don't oust anybody," she adds.

Though the competition does draw seasoned wranglers, some of whom have competed on the mainstream rodeo circuit, Campbell estimates that, with time, 75 percent of the events could be mastered by civilian contestants. Events like steer riding, calf roping on foot, or the amusing camp competitions are ideal for beginners. In fact, the three camp events—goat dressing, steer decorating, and the wild drag race—draw in nearly 60 percent of new rodeo contestants because they do not require any special equipment or the ownership of a horse. This reason—along with the added allure of their often-high award payouts—makes them an attractive starting point for many newbie city slickers.

Putting on the annual event is a labor of love for the legions involved with the gay rodeo. “None of us get paid—it’s all volunteer. And I’ll tell you it’s another 40-hour work week. People work [so] hard because they love to see rodeo and they want to be out there with all the people, enjoying the event,” she says, quickly adding that the charity work involved is also a major motivation. Since its inception, the L.A. Gay Rodeo has raised thousands of dollars for local charities, AIDS services, and community groups. This year's recipient, the Life Group L.A., provides free information and emotional support for HIV-positive individuals.

“I [just] love the event,” admits Campbell. “It’s a great time. Everybody meets a lot of people and has a great time. That’s what we’re there for and that’s why we do it.”

The L.A. Gay Rodeo takes place Aug. 5 and 6 at the L.A. Equestrian Center in Burbank. Check in at the event’s host hotel—the Hilton Burbank Airport—on Aug. 3 to take advantage of the jam-packed social schedule planned for the Wild Western weekend. For a complete rodeo schedule, go to www.larodeo.com.