Riding Bull Durham
 

 The poem on this web page may not be excerpted, copied, or reproduced, used or performed in any form (graphic, electronic or mechanical) without the express written permission of  Ken Whitecotton.

 

 Re: RODEO CLOWN and BULL FIGHTERS
 

   The primary purpose of  rodeo clowns and bull fighters is to protect the rider from the bull after he dismounts or is bucked off, by distracting the bull and providing alternative targets for the bull to chase. Additionally, bull fighters are also hired to improve the bull riders score by, among other actions, turning a bull back that runs down the arena, by grabbing his horn or getting the bull to follow him while the rider is on his back. Rodeo clowns also provide entertainment between rodeo events.

          The rodeo clown has one of the most dangerous jobs in all of show business. He must protect other performers from charging bulls while also entertaining the audience. Rodeo clowns enter the ring on foot, before the bull is let loose, wearing bright loose-fitting clothes. Their job is particularly important when the rider has been injured. The rodeo clown places himself  between the bull and the rider, or runs off at an angle or takes some action such as throwing a hat or yelling to distract the bull, while the rider seeks safety.Typically, rodeo clowns work in groups of three, two free-roaming bullfighters and a third who is known as the barrel man. The barrel man uses a large padded barrel that he can jump in and out of easily and which is capable of withstanding a full charge by an angered bull.

        Injuries to rodeo clowns are common. In the photo to the left,FFirst Lt. Jeremy Sparks moves in to protect a bull rider at the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The lieutenant helped protect more than 1,500 contestants during the rodeo. He is a missileer with the 90th Space Wing at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Nicole Walters; and provided as a public service by the Office of the Secretary of Air Force (Public Affairs).

                   In the photo to the right, Bull Fighter Cory Wall is being tossed in the air by a bull. At a 2006 stock show in Fort Worth, Texas, a bull charged Wall and got him with the end of his horns. Wall went a dozen feet into the air, and into a pen. The rider escaped unharmed; and Wall was lucky-he ended up with a bruised knee.

 

 

About The Author.....Cowboy Poet KEN WHITECOTTON          Ken Whitecotton was born in 1948 in Northwest Colorado. He was raised on a small ranch just south of Steamboat Springs. He attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins for a couple years, then served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a scout dog handler. His book contains the poem, "A Cowdog at War", that he wrote in tribute to his dog, Smokey, “the best pard” he ever had.   He spent several years as a police officer in Steamboat Springs.  After deciding it was a mite too cold in Colorado for man or beast, he moved to Tucson, Arizona. He spent more than 20 years as a dispatcher for the Pima County Sheriff's Department.  He is now retired, and spends his time fixin' up houses, fishin', huntin', and writin' cowboy poetry.  He began his writing in his late teens. After his tour in Vietnam his work began to acquire greater depth.  He experimented in many different genres, and has only recently adopted the Cowboy Poetry approach because, as he says, "it's so much more fun."  Ken Whitecotton has  a new book of poetry that has just been published by Cowboy MinerProductions, "Tall Tails from the Lazy O". This book includes 60 stories and poems. On the inside back cover of his book are comments that Ken ( with his great sense of humor),  calls "Rave Reviews" on the book.  “Shoot, I’d like ta’ take this home fer my family ta’ read, too!” Gabby, a hermit livin’ in a cave somewhere along Silver Creek “I shoved it unner that short table leg an’ it seems ta be workin’ awright.” Jack, up at the Hahn’s Peak line cabin “I found an honerable place fer it out in the outhouse—shore wish it had more pages.” Dan, a gold prospector in Warsaw Canyon   This book can be ordered on Ken Whitecotton's web site;          http://www.TheLazyO.com Ken Whitecotton Cowboy Poet 1410 S. Corsica Pl. Tucson, Arizona  85748 (520) 298-4156 LazyOPoetry@cox.net

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