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The rodeo clowns, barrelmen and bullfighters of
yesteryear say it over and over, “It ain’t what it
used to be!” How
true it is, because in today’s arena the rodeo clown
a.k.a. the bullfighter and barrelman, are specialists.
Just like every other profession in this 21st
century. The
funnyman does the funny ‘stuff’ and the
bullfighter saves the bull rider.
The Rodeo Clown Reunion is being held in
Stephenville, Texas, during the Cowboy Capital of the
World PRCA Rodeo, May 6, 7 & 8, and the honorees
are primarily from the era that was required to do the
humor and the cowboy saving.
They also traveled with a menagerie of animals,
that they had trained and could jump in the arena at a
moments notice and entertain the crowd with a donkey
who could lay down,
bow, and whatever else he was asked to do, or a
trained dog or two, and an occasional monkey. But the rodeo clown also had to be on their toes during the
bull riding because generally in those days there was
only one bullfighter and he was IT!
The honorees that will be attending the Reunion
don’t walk too good.
They have been mauled and trampled by the bull
so many times it is hard for them to remember when
they did walk without a ‘hitch in their gait’.
One old rodeo clown told me he had always been
lucky! “I
always seemed to get hurt the last performance of a
rodeo. That
way I could heal before I got to the next rodeo!”
Although they’ve had their share of injury
their attitude still exudes humor like the honoree
that came to a previous reunion accompanied by two
rodeo committeemen from his hometown.
When interviewed by a local reporter he
announced, “I’m the only honoree here that travels
with my own pall bearers.”
Stephenville is opening the doors wide for the
Rodeo Clown Reunion.
Not only will the group sign autographs and be
part of the PRCA rodeo each night, they will be seen
in and around town at different venues, including the
Cowboy Capital of the World Walk of Fame luncheon
Saturday at noon, a golf tournament at The Legends
Golf Club on Friday, and much, much more.
The purpose of the Rodeo Clown Reunion is to
honoree these former funnymen and cowboy savers while
they are still with us and say a big “Thank you”
for a job well done, and allow the oldsters to don
their costumes and make-up and entertain the citizens
and enjoy the community.
Stephenville, having the very first Rodeo Clown
Reunion to be held in Texas, will be laughing until
their sides hurt and applauding these oldsters.
No matter how long it’s been since they made
their living in the rodeo arena these laugh-getters
from yesterday never lost their sense of humor or
forgotten their fans.
Come join us!
For information please contact Chairman, Gail
Woerner, at 512-266-1001 or e-mail:
rodeogal@airmail.net
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