Bull Fighters & Rodeo Clowns, lifesavers & entertainment: the heart beat of a rodeo

By: Amanda Brockman

There are two things that a person will remember the most. The last time they did something, and the first time they did something. Speaking of which, one memory that will always stick out in any good ol' boys mind, as a little boy, is the first rodeo they went to. Going with granddad to the local arena, having the aroma of cattle and horses awaken your senses. As you walk past the ropers and rough stock riders the one thought always mingles in your head. "I want to be a world champ rodeo cowboy, and be the best in the world." For many, this once mere dream does come true. But this walk to glory and fame is never taken alone. In a sport where only the strong survive, there are only the brave that protect, and only the funniest that entertain. This, my friend is the bullfighter and rodeo clown, the lifesaver and the entertainment. The true heart beat of a rodeo.

There is no official count of bullfighters injured in the United States while on the job. This being said, does not mean it is not important or that it does not happen. Looking at numerous associations, you can already tell that an injured bullfighter is not uncommon at all. If being injured is a very real part of the job, then what fuels one to do it? Is it for the money, the chance at fame, or because the chicks dig it? Dusty Myers, Chad Dowdy, and Bill Bass say otherwise. When asked, Myers states, "You never think about being injured. You're on such an adrenaline rush. Injury is just part of the life style. I've been in rodeos since I was little. But you never think about injury. It's just something you love to do. You can just as easily get hurt from every day life. You might as well enjoy the time your not injured."

Could any one be a bullfighter, you might ask yourself. Well, I'll list just a few of the many injuries that Myers, Bass, and Dowdy have received in the past few years and let you decide for yourself. Chad Dowdy- arm broke, spleen busted, teeth knocked out. Bill Bass- cracked sternum three times, horn rammed through leg (almost bled to death), right knee did a u-turn (went in opposite direction), bull stepped on his head (lost part of his memory). Dusty Myers- hipbone knocked out of place, collarbone broken, fingers and toes broke all the time, three major and one minor concussion. These samples of the many injuries that bullfighters get while on the job may seem like a sacrifice that many wouldn't be willing to take. But if your heart is in the right place and you do it for the love of the game, then those injuries are just mere battle scars. Call them crazy, but how crazy is it to do something you love to do? Whatever you truly want to do in life, there will be sacrifices. The only question is, how far are you willing to go, and how much dirt are you willing to taste to get to the trophy. Another obstacle that is faced when in the arena is death. A touchy subject to the core. If a fellow co-worker of yours was killed because of the job you do, would any regrets of your career choice flash through your mind. When asked the same question Chad Dowdy responds saying, "yes, after a fellow rider or bullfighter dies in the arena you second guess yourself. It goes through your mind thousands of times. But you just have to remind yourself that everything happens for a reason. When it's your time, it's your time. You gotta be tough. The bull rider knows the risks just as much as you do. You can't doubt yourself or say if I would of done this or that, he'd probably still be here." Dowdy adds, "When you walk in the arena, it's a 50/50 chance that you'll walk out. You just have to block that out of your mind and go on. And just do it for the love of the game."

To the ones that still want to be a bullfighter after reading this article, Myers and Bass were asked what advice would they give to aspiring bullfighters?

Dusty Myers' advice - "I say go for it. There is no better feeling in the world. Some jobs you can watch people and learn how to do it. Bullfighting is a hands on job that you can only learn by doing it. The traveling though is a little hard. Get in front of as many bulls as you can. Put whole heart into it or don't do it at all."

Bill Bass' advice - "Always do it with your heart, not who's watching or trying to impress somebody. I fight bulls because that's where my true love is."

Don't for a second think that the bullfighter is of lesser importance just because they aren't the one that is on the bull. Nathan Tull and Eric Proctor seem to agree. Tull states, "We couldn't do without them. I wouldn't get on a bull with out a bullfighter there. There wouldn't be any riders there if it wasn't for the bullfighters. It takes twice the man to bullfight than to ride." Tull would also know both ends of the spectrum, because before going pro in bull riding he himself was a bullfighter. Proctor concurs by saying, "I wouldn't get on them if they weren't out there."

Everyone's first rodeo is always a memorable one. Whether you're young or old, it's an experience that gets you hooked and wanting more. Needless to say, my first rodeo had me coming back every weekend. But, what is it about a rodeo that gets one coming back? For myself it was a nice mixture of: a way to spend time with my granddaddy, the good-looking cowboys in their wranglers and boots, and the rodeo clowns. Like I said above, whether you're young or old, you'll always get a kick out of the rodeo clowns. Call me easily amused, but I just call them funny. What makes these rodeo clowns tick? Can anyone with a funny bone be in the spotlight and make people laugh. I got inside a fellow rodeo clowns head to find that out. Most everyone has a ritual of getting psyched up before any competition or event. Rodeo clowns are no different. Rodeo clown Danny Cain out of North Carolina says, "Before every event I perform at, I always listen to a Chris LeDoux cd to get me pumped up." Everyone has a story of how they got started, some from a dare, and others by pure choice. Cain's first gig was as a fill in for a friend's rodeo. "We had a bull riding event at the house and Jerome Davis was short a rodeo clown. He asked me to be in it, and since then I'm still doing it." Everyone has influences and mentors Cain's are as follows: Jerome Davis, Frankie Smith, and Matt Merritt. When asked if he had any advice for aspiring rodeo clowns Cain concludes by saying, "Go to different rodeo events. Watch the clowns at each event, and pick up the little things as you go."

A rodeo is composed of several parts. All of which are important components that make the rodeo what it is today. Just as the body has its heartbeat to keep it alive, so does the rodeo. The bullfighters and the rodeo clowns. They are the lifesavers and the entertainment of the rodeo. Bullfighters bring you to the edge of your seat in suspense and rodeo clowns leave you on the floor laughing. I hope after reading this article that those few that thought of the bullfighters and rodeo clowns as the under dogs of the rodeo now see that they are truly the heartbeat of the rodeo. Just like the body, the heart is not the only part that keeps it alive but still is a vital part.