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From DallasVoice.com Life+Style Lead Story Big D Rodeo gallops in to Fair Park this weekend. From barrel racing to steer decorating, North Texan Frank Mazzo tests his mettle in 6 events
In 1984, the Lone Star State welcomed its first gay rodeo. And as this weekend's Big D Rodeo rides into Fair Park, the Texas Gay Rodeo Association has raised more than $2 million for various Texas charities. If you're a gay city slicker who didn't grow up a ranch and only bought a pair of cowboy boots because Carson Kressley told you to, don't be afraid of losing your rodeo virginity. Rodeos are exciting, slightly dangerous and fast the competitive events seem to whiz right by. This week, we caught up with a North Texan who's competing in six events at the Big D Rodeo. Who: Frank Mazzo Horsing around as a kid: I was born in West Virginia. My aunts, uncles and grandparents all had farms. I have lots of childhood memories spent with my brother, sisters and cousins playing out in the pasture, running from bulls and taking rides on horses. Migrated to the city: When I was 7, we moved to Southern California. I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles: This was in '60s and '70s. It was a typical suburban childhood not much exposure to farms or ranches. Once a year, however, we went to my mom's family reunion in West Virginia. Getting schooled: First attended Pasadena City College. Then transferred to California State University, Los Angeles. Earned a bachelors degree in accounting in 1982. Working his way to the Lone Star State: For 23 years, I've worked as a financial analyst for a government contractor. In 2000, I started commuting between California and Texas, when the company headquarters relocated to Fort Worth. Howdy, partner: In February 2001, at a country-western club in Fort Worth I met Gene Frakes the love of my life, who had already been involved with rodeo for several years. I took a job transfer and moved to North Texas in Sept 2001. We bought a six-acre ranch. And in fact, a horse came with the deal. Stocking up: By the end of 2001, we bought two beef cows. My brother, who has an 18-acre ranch in California, inspired me. Now Gene and I have five horses varying in age from 1 to 23 years old. There's Gidget, Rony, Scarlett, Fancy and Domino. We breed one of the heifers every year or so and butcher a calf every year or so. We still have just two cows. Suzy is the breeding heifer; "DK" (short for Donna Kay) is our calf. Rodeo virginity: Went to my first rodeo in 1994 in Los Angeles. The entire experience opened up my eyes to a part of the world that I never knew existed. Thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Competed for the first time in 2002 in camp events. By 2004, I started competing in horse speed events. How dedicated are you? In 2006, I attended five rodeos. Do you lust after danger? I don't think I'm an adrenaline junkie. I enjoy the sport of rodeo the competition, the camaraderie, and especially the fact that we're helping raise money for charitable organizations. War wounds: I've never had a serious injury. Proud achievements: My best event is calf roping on foot which won me a buckle in 2006. Also, Gene and I won a steer-decorating buckle in 2005. Last year, I was also awarded Most Improved Contestant in TGRA. Busy weekend: At the Big D Rodeo, I'm entering six events: barrel racing, flag racing, pole bending, calf roping on foot, goat dressing and steer decorating. Advice for newbies: Try goat dressing and steer decorating. These events don't take much skill you just have to be fast. EXHIBITION SKILLS Traditional cowboy-cowgirl events. - Roping where contestants on foot or on horseback try to lasso moving steers, or a team of two riders rope steers by the horns and haunches. - Speed: barrel racing, flag racing and pole bending. - Rough-stock: the most dangerous events in the arena: steer, bronc and bull riding events that put the athlete in direct competition with the animal to see who will come out on top. Camp Events where things get colorful. - Cowboys and cowgirls pair up for steer decorating: one partner ties a ribbon to a steer's tail while another removes a rope from its horns. - The wild drag race, is a threesome event: requiring a man and a woman to drag a steer across a line 70 feet from the chutes where someone dressed in drag must mount it and ride across the finish line. - Goat dressing, a team of two partners capture a tethered goat to put a pair of jockey-style underwear onto it and then run for the finish line. WHEN? WHERE? COST? Big D Rodeo host hotel is the Quality Inn at Market Center, 1955 Market Center Blvd. Rodeo events take place March 3-4 at the Fair Park Pavilion, 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd, in Fair Park. Because some events race along and some events go long, organizers can't provide an exact timetable. Tickets $15. Rodeo hotline: 214 346-2107. www.tgra.org Friday, March 2 9 a.m. Vendor check-in at Fair Park. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Registration at Quality Inn, Market Center. 8 p.m. Boot-scootin' mixer at Quality Inn. Saturday, March 3 8 a.m. Ticket office opens in Fair Park. 8:30 a.m. New contestant meeting, Fair Park. 9 a.m. Rodeo begins. Noonish Grand entry. Afternoon rodeo continues. 1 p.m. Entertainment begins. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Oklahoma "T" Party, at The Round-Up Saloon. 8:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Oklahoma "T" Party Show, at Round-Up Saloon. Sunday, March 4th, 2007 9 a.m. Ticket office opens in Fair Park. 9 a.m. Rodeo begins. Noonish Grand entry. Afternoon rodeo continues. 1 p.m. Entertainment begins. 8 p.m. Awards ceremony at the Quality Inn. This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 2, 2007 © Copyright by DallasVoice.com |
