Clowns and Bullfighting in Rodeo…No Joking Matter

Bulls in the event are specially bred to be smaller, quicker and more agile (and quicker to temper) than those used in bull riding. Rodeo-bred fighting bulls can compete for years and can learn from their mistakes and improve with experience.

Rodeos typically have three clowns at each performance. There's the main bull-fighting clown, while another one and the barrel clown serve as back up in case the bullfighter gets in trouble. The bullfighter may throw his hat in the ring at any time to end the fight. Usually a smaller area of the arena is gated for the bullfighting in order to limit the space the bull can run and encourage more competition between man and animal.

Highly trained athletes, Bullfighters combine the courage of a commando, the instincts of a prize fighter and a degree of highly tuned professionalism that comes from knowing that a wrong move or momentary lapse of concentration could result in major injury in front of thousands of people.

Combine all of these high standards with an unending sense of adventure and the joy of being a clown, and you'll have today's rodeo bullfighter.

********** Here's a few web sites to check out:

A Clown's tale: Life of a Rodeo Man http://reveille.stumedia.lsu.edu/arch/19...

Wrangler Bullfighting http://www.imagehouse.com/rodeo/events/w...

The Hero in the Yellow Barrel http://www.roadtripamerica.com/people/ha...

Copyright 2000 by Diana Rowe Martinez All Rights Reserved.

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