Zia Regional Rodeo

The New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association (NMGRA) Zia Regional Rodeo, founded in 1991, has grown into a premier event that attracts competitors from around the country who travel to New Mexico to take part in a wide range of traditional rodeo events sanctioned by the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). Competitors earn points at the Zia Regional Rodeo toward qualifying for the World Finals, also held by IGRA, where the best from across the association come together to compete on an international stage while celebrating western heritage, community, and inclusivity.

Rodeo Grounds

The Zia Regional Rodeo is held at the Rodeo de Santa Fe, located at 3237 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507.

Rodeo School

Friday, August 21, 2026

On-site registration begins at 10:30 AM, and Rodeo School starts promptly at 11:00 AM.

The cost is $20 per event, which includes two runs per participant. This instructional session is designed to introduce participants to both rough stock and speed events in a supportive learning environment.

Rodeo School will cover:

Chute Dogging
Calf Roping on Foot
Steer Riding
Pole Bending
Barrel Racing
Flag Racing

Lunch will be provided during the break between the rough stock and speed events.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Contestant Registration

Registration will be held Friday, August 22, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the rodeo grounds, located under the grandstands on the west side of the arena.

The Rodeo Secretary is David Hill. If you experience an emergency and will be arriving late, you must contact David directly.

All entry fees must be paid by cash or card. Checks will not be accepted.

Late Entry Fees
(IGRA Rodeo Rules VIII, 2, F & G)

Late entries for Zia Regional 33 will be accepted. A flat $50 late fee per contestant will be charged for rough stock and roping events. This fee applies to:

Contestants who did not pre-register
Pre-registered contestants who add these events after the pre-registration deadline

New contestants who are not assigned an IGRA contestant number prior to August 1, 2025, will not be charged a late fee.

Registration for rough stock events will not be allowed after the pre-registration period ends.

Added Money

There will be no added money this year. However, NMGRA will award $150 per day ($50 per team member) for Best Wild Drag Race Costume. Costumes must be different each day—no repeats.

PRE REGISTRATION HERE

Host Hotel

Host Hotel:
DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
4048 Cerrillos Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 474-4646

Reserve your room at our special group rate using the link below:

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RV / Contestant Parking

Full Hookup:
Full RV hookup sites (water, sewer, and power) are available for contestants only at a rate of $35 per day.

Additional sites with electric and water only are available for $20 per day. These spaces will become available at 12:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026, and are first-come, first-served. No spaces will be held in advance.

Dry Camping:
Dry camping packages for the full weekend (4 days) are available for $100.

Contestants with badges may dry camp at no charge.

Horse Stalls

Barn Manager:
Weston Crow-Tucker – (719) 691-9300

Rodeo Grounds – Horse Check-In:
3237 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Please strip your stalls completely before departure.

For after-hours arrivals, a gate code is required. Contact Weston for access.

New stalls are available this year. Horses arriving on Thursday will incur an additional $25.00 stall fee.

Shavings are available for $10.00 per bag.

Per IGRA Rodeo Rule VII.20: Each horse contestant is provided one (1) stall at no cost. Additional stalls are $25.00 each for the rodeo weekend. Tack stalls are not available.

Veterinarian (on call):
Dr. Hannah Garthwaite – (330) 853-8293

Farrier (on call):
Roddy Perez – (505) 400-7717

All horses must be off the rodeo grounds by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, the 24th.

Pets are not permitted in any other areas of the venue. Please keep all animals leashed and within your camp area. Service animals are permitted. Be respectful and clean up after your pets.

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Entertainment

Join us Friday night for an out-of-town Royalty Show immediately following registration, with dancing to follow the show.

On Saturday evening after the rodeo, the NMGRA and IGRA Royalty Teams will present a special show, followed by dancing.

A full dance floor will be available this year, perfect for brushing up on your two-step and line dancing.

Please note: The City of Santa Fe has a strict noise ordinance, and all music and festivities must conclude by 10:00 PM.

Rodeo Tickets

Rodeo tickets can be purchased in advance. Tickets are $15 per day or $25 for the full weekend.

Tickets will also be available at the ticket booth at the rodeo grounds. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.

Contestants Buddy Passes are $25.00…Buddy Passes will be available at contestant registration only on Friday, 5-7 pm. No Buddy Passes will be available after the close of registration. No replacement Buddy Passes will be issued if the original is lost, stolen, or destroyed. Buddies must be present at registration with the contestant to purchase passes.

Contestants traveling with children aged 14 and under can purchase Junior Buddy Passes for $15 each. There is a maximum of 1 Adult and 2 Junior Buddy Passes per contestant.

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Vendor

This exciting event offers a wonderful opportunity to showcase your business, organization, or cause while celebrating diversity and inclusion at Rodeo de Santa Fe.

Vendor spaces provide a prime platform to connect with a vibrant and diverse community—whether you are selling products, offering services, or sharing important resources.

Event Hours:
Saturday & Sunday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Vendor Options:
• $100 – Covered Booth (8 available)
• $200 – Truck / Trailer Space
• $50 – Pop-Up Area (10x10 tent required)

* Nonprofit discounts are available—please ask for details.

Zia Regional Rodeo Program Advertising

Support the New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association while promoting your business, organization, or personal message by purchasing a full-color advertisement in the official Zia Regional Rodeo program. Our program is distributed to contestants, spectators, sponsors, and community partners throughout the weekend, offering great visibility and community support.

Full-Color Ad Rates:

Back Cover – $150
Inside Front Cover – $150
Inside Back Cover – $150
Full Page – $100
Half Page – $75
Quarter Page – $50

Advertising in our program helps offset event costs and directly supports NMGRA’s mission of fostering community, preserving the tradition of gay rodeo, and giving back through our charitable outreach.

Officials

Rodeo Director – Brandon Bays
Assistant Rodeo Director 1 – Dave Henzel
Assistant Rodeo Director 2 – Russell Ellenberger
Assistant Rodeo Director 3 – Cindy Lu
Assistant Rodeo Director 4 – AnnaKonda Williams
Assistant Rodeo Director 5 – Weston Crow-Tucker
Assistant Rodeo Director 6 – Ryder Gently

Arena Director – Tim Smith
Assistant Arena Director – Alex Stokes
Arena Crew Coordinator – Greg Tinsley
Assistant Arena Crew Coordinator – Kody Kay
Chute Coordinator – Carl Schmidt
Assistant Chute Coordinator – Tim Miller

Secretary – Dwayne Rennels
Auditor – David Hill
Scorekeeper – Guy Puglisi

Judge – Tom Sheridan
Judge – Randy Edlin
Judge – Marcus “Boogie” Hood
Judge – Michael Lentz

Announcer – Tre Brewbaker

Barn Manager – Weston Crow-Tucker

Event Running Order

Saturday and Sunday

Grand Entry
Calf Roping on Foot
Steer Decorating
Break-Away Roping
Team Roping
Steer Riding
Chute Dogging

Pole Bending
Goat Dressing
Community Goat Dressing
Barrel Racing
Flag Racing
Wild Drag Race
Bull Riding

Bareback Bronc Riding and Ranch Saddle Bronc Riding will not be offered.

Men will compete first on Saturday; Women will compete first on Sunday.

The rodeo will begin at 10:00 AM with Grand Entry, followed by Community Goat Dressing.

Goat Dressing will be held both days, with buckles awarded each day.

Additional Information

No Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in the arena or chute areas during events. Please dispose of cigarette butts in designated containers.
Camp Events: All camp events will have a one-minute time limit.
Badges: Contestant badges must be worn at all times during all events.
Non-Participants:
The main gate opens at 9:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday. No one without a badge will be permitted on the rodeo grounds before this time. If you are traveling with friends who do not have a buddy pass or badge, they will not be allowed to enter until the gates open to the public. Gate opening times are subject to change pending approval from the Fire Marshal.
IGRA Rule IV.4 Enforcement:
IGRA Rodeo Rule IV.4 will be strictly enforced by NMGRA, along with all other rules. Any participant in an IGRA rodeo—including contestants, stock contractors and personnel, arena or chute volunteers, rodeo officials, or security—may be asked by an acting rodeo official to leave the arena and secured working areas if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in possession of an open container of alcohol or any illegal substance.
Disciplinary action may be taken for possession of an open container of alcohol or any illegal drug in secured areas (arena, chutes, barn, or contestant areas) from the start of the first event until the conclusion of the rodeo each day. Disciplinary action may include disqualification and/or loss of certification. This policy also applies to any buddies signed in under your contestant number.
Post-Rodeo Review Meeting:
The review meeting will take place 30 minutes after the final event results are posted in the Grandstands.
Meals:
Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge for contestants, officials, and volunteers at the food shack on the contestant side of the arena, located by the black bull statue.
Awards Ceremony:
The Awards Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM on Sunday, August 24, 2025.