The San Diego Gay Rodeo returned to town this weekend, taking place front and center on the track in front of the main grandstand at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The paddock where horses parade during racing season was turned into a festival complete with live entertainment, food and vendor booths to keep the hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls who attended the rodeo entertained and well fed.

In addition to the rodeo itself, contestants both local and from across the country were entertained with theme parties every night of the four-day event. Everyone was welcome, regardless of rodeo experience. Competitors faced off in 13 events ranging from roping events such as team roping and breakaway roping to camp events such as goat dressing and the wild drag race. One of the most challenging events of the rodeo — considered by many to be the most dangerous — is bull riding and this year both beginners and veterans competed in the event.

Sonny Koener, a 10-year veteran of the gay rodeo, circuit traveled all the way from Victoria, Texas, to compete in nine of the 13 events at the San Diego Gay Rodeo. He got involved in the rodeo at an early age, growing up on his “granddaddy’s” ranch.

“It means I can take a guy behind the chute and kiss him before I ride.” Koener said about the difference between gay rodeos and the straight rodeos he grew up going to.

As for his bull riding experience in this weekend’s rodeo, it just goes to show that even those with the most experience can be caught off guard by these bulls.

“I think just broke my toe,” Koener said following his first ride on Saturday. “It’s all a part of the ride, and sometimes you pay the price.”

And in the spirit of the rodeo (when you get knocked down, you get right back up), Koerner was ready to get his toe iced so that he could be back out riding for the second day of the competition.

One of the things that sets the gay rodeo apart from the traditional rodeo is that women are allowed to compete alongside the men in all of the events, including bull riding, which the national pro-rodeo association prohibits.

A rookie in the bull riding competition, Brandi Campbell, took her first ride on a bull in front of a crowd of hundreds of rodeo fans. Campbell says she got talked into riding one night when she was out country dancing with some of her friends.

“She’s got the perfect body for bull riding,” said Erin Leavey, who discovered Campbell out dancing. “The ‘Slim Jim’ look, just like the men and she’s got great legs to be able to wrap around all of that muscle. She did great. She made me so proud!”

With Leavey’s coaching Campbell was able to prepare for her first ride, and although she admits that she was nervous, she also had a good time.

“I just listened to everyone’s advice,” Campbell said about her preparations. “Everyone had something different to say. My coach put a sticker on the bull’s back and said just hold on and keep your eye on that.”

The San Diego Gay Rodeo was the final stop on the annual gay rodeo circuit before the finals, which are being held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oct. 23-26. For more information about the San Diego chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association, visit gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their web site.