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RODEO’S MOST DANGEROUS PROFESSION GETS FINANCIAL AID

By: Gail Hughbanks Woerner

 

There is no one in a rodeo arena that faces more chances of injury, or even death, than the rodeo clown/bullfighter.  Whether he is trying to distract a raging snuffy bull that weighs ten times more than the cowboy-saver or attempting to get the hung-up hand (of an over-zealous bull rider) out of the rope as the bull thrashes the rider unmercifully, the job description makes rodeo clowning/bullfighting a dangerous profession.  

 

The RODEO CLOWN & BULLFIGHTER HARDSHIP FOUNDATION  has been formed to support this dangerous profession when tragedies strike and keep these specialized men from working at their chosen profession.

     The Foundation’s first event, will be a Pre-rodeo Concert featuring Susie Dobbs, and her band “Way Out West” at Sikeston, Missouri on August 5th.  Dobbs is extremely popular with the rodeo cowboys and cowgirls across the country and has appeared at the Gold Coast, in Las Vegas, during the National Finals Rodeo.  The vivacious blond  received honors as the best country/western entertainer at the 20th Annual Chicago Music Awards.    Having grown up in Nebraska she has been more than a rodeo fan.  “My dad had been on the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Committee at North Platte, Nebraska, for fifteen years and I know a lot of the rodeo clowns very well.  I can’t think of a better cause,” said the sassy blond vocalist with a versatile blend of country music, which includes some honky-tonk classics in her repertoire.

Susie Dobbs and band, Way Out West, are featured at the Sikeston Concert.

        

The majority of the proceeds from this first  venue will go to Rex Dunn, who incurred major injuries in a freak accident when working with his bulls.  He suffered serious injuries and was in a coma for five weeks.  He is presently undergoing therapy but is unable to work.  Dunn was a rodeo clown and bullfighter from 1970 to 1991, at which time he began raising fighting bulls.  He produces bullfights with the top bullfighters in the country.  Dunn’s bulls are top-flight when it comes to competition for bullfighters and a Dunn-produced event never fails to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. 

 

When informed of the decision of the Foundation to make Dunn the recipient of the proceeds of this event the former bullfighter and rodeo clown said, “I’m honored to be selected for the first event.  I hope the Foundation continues to grow and help others when they need it”  He also added, “The doctors said they didn’t think I was going to make it, but I must have been tougher than they thought just to survive.  Well, if I’m tough, I’ll tell you who is tougher - my wife, Tracy.  She’s the one that has held all of us together, but she couldn’t have done it without the support and prayers of our rodeo family and friends.”

 

The Pre-Rodeo Concert will be held August 5th, at 8 P.M. at Danny’s in Sikeston, Missouri.  The admission charge per person is ONE CAN OF FOOD, which will go to the Boothill Rodeo Food Bank, in Sikeston.  A silent and live auction will be held, and will include an array of items donated by rodeo clowns, bullfighters, rodeo cowboys and champions, in addition to various sponsors.

           The Board of Directors wanted to name the Foundation in honor of Rick Young, but the forty-plus year veteran of the arena declined saying, “This is for all of us, just helping get this Foundation underway makes me very proud.”  He also said, “When Rex (Dunn) got hurt I was devastated, but I believe that when anything bad happens, something good happens, too.  The idea for this organization came from his injury.  So you see, it’s something good for all bullfighters, rodeo clowns and barrelmen.”

Barrelman Rick Young has forty plus years in the arena saving cowboys and entertaining the fans.

 

            Anyone interested in donating, but unable to attend the event, can donate to:  RODEO CLOWN & BULLFIGHTER HARDSHIP FOUNDATION, c/o First State Bank & Trust, P O Box 1830, 750 S. Main, Sikeston, MO. 

63801.   Remember, no amount is too small! 

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