Hot Rodeo 2012 May 4-5 in Banning: Last Year Bullriders Took a Beating

Hot Rodeo 2012, sanctioned by the International Gay Rodeo Association and featuring two days of competition, is coming to A.C. Dysart Park in Banning on May 5-6.

At last year's competition, bullriders took a beating.

Sara Simunovich, 31, from the San Francisco Bay area, was already banged up when she rode a bull estimated more than 10 times her 120-pound weight on May 1. 2011.

Simunovich wore a bandage on her right shoulder, from an injury the previous day, a few hours before her final event.

"I landed on my arm bullriding and jammed my shoulder up," said Simunovich, who grew up in San Jose.

Simunovich said she doesn't ride horses, only bulls, and she's "been bullriding about five years now."

The bull she rode a year ago allowed her only a brief ride. Simunovich went down hard but appeared to suffer no additional injury.

She was among the experienced hands and newcomers, gay and straight, who came from across the western states to compete in Banning.

Hot Rodeo 2012 ext weekend is presented by the Greater Palm Springs Chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association.

Each day's competition is scheduled to include:

• Calf Roping on Foot
• Team Roping
• Break-Away Roping
• Steer Deco
• Pole Bending
• Grand Entry
• Junior Bull Riding
• Goat Dressing
• Chute Dogging
• Barrel Racing
• Flag Race
• Wild Drag
• Bull Riding

Admission is $20 for each day. The main gate at Dysart Park is scheduled to open at 7:45 a.m. Saturday May 5 and at 8:45 a.m. Sunday May 6, according to organizers.

Contestant Registration is scheduled 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday May 4 at the host hotel, Ivy Palm Resort and Spa. Entry fees will be $25 per event, per day. The IGRA lists how the fees are distributed at this link

Horse Check-In is scheduled noon to 9 p.m. Thursday May 3 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday May 4, according to organizers. Barn managers Mom and Pop Harris will be on the grounds all weekend.

Beneficiary partners are the City of Banning Youth Scholarship Fund and Paws & Hearts of Palm Desert, Palm Springs chapter President Jimmy Golden said.

"We're hoping it'll be even bigger and better this year," Golden said. "We hope the weather will cooperate and be beautiful out there."

Hot Rodeo officials have been generous with scholarship donations each year the event has come to Banning, said Heidi Meraz, Banning Community Services director.

For newcomers to Hot Rodeo, the International Gay Rodeo Association has a page headlined "About IGRA: Breaking Stereotypes."

"IGRA, the International Gay Rodeo Association, has officially been ropin' and ridin' since 1985 and currently has over 5,000 members in 25 local associations around North America," the page states.

"We are the largest organization in the world coordinating rodeo events specifically welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender as well as heterosexual participants and spectators. . . .

"IGRA events are intended to allow all contestants, regardless of sexual and gender identity, to compete in rodeo sports without discrimination. The organization helps spread appreciation for Western culture and the sport of rodeo, while serving as a fundraising vehicle benefiting many charitable organizations."

To view images from last year, click , and , and read .

is at 2101 W. Victory Ave., Banning. Banning is about 20 miles east of Redlands on Interstate 10.

For more information about scheduling and sponsorships, visit palmspringsrodeo.org/hotrodeo.