One of the most dangerous jobs, in the world, is bull fighting. Brave men battle 2,000-pound bovine athletes at rodeos coast-to-coast, many times putting their own lives at risk in order to protect the riders.
The CBR is lucky to employ some of the best bull fighters, who are proudly sponsored by Waggin’ Train Dog Treats, in the business and in the next few weeks we will take an in depth look at what may be the most important part of a CBR show.
Ray Clary Jr is no rookie to bull riding nor bull fighting. The “veteran” of the CBR bull fighters, Ray is still a very young man at 34. The Lufkin, Texas native has been around rodeos his whole life.
“One of my first childhood memories is when my grandpa took me to a rodeo. It was at the old Lufkin arena and I was about 4 years old. I remember Donnie Gay and the guy that played Marshall Dillon from the TV show Gunsmoke were there,” Ray says with a laugh, “He is what I remember the most, and I will never forget it, I knew then there was nothing I wanted to do more.”
Most of his influence was drawn from his grandfather, Louie Harvey, who was a rodeo man himself and who always took his grandson to rodeos, instilling in his blood, the love for the industry.
“When I was younger I used to bull ride,” says Ray, “But I was never great at it. I loved it. In high school I would both rodeo and bull fight.”
About 11 years ago Ray was a young married man with a two year-old son when tragedy struck. His wife was killed by a drunk driver leaving him a young, widowed dad.
“After the accident, I remember thinking, I needed to be around for my son. So bull riding took a back seat. Bull fighting still allowed me to be a dad and be involved in the industry I love,” says Ray. “Funny thing, I didn’t really miss bull riding.”
When Ray was a young man, he also met another one of his idols, a man who would later become his best friend, Tuff Hedeman.
“When I was about ten I went up to Tuff and asked for his autograph. To me, it was like meeting Mickey Mantle. Sometimes I laugh because I can’t believe how unbelievably lucky I am to work next to the best ever in the business and call him my friend,” reflects Ray.
Ray not only fights bulls at CBR events but he is also employed full-time as the event production manager for the CBR Tour presented by Mahindra.
“I know if I am lucky, I have about 4 to 5 years left in me to fight bulls. I want to make sure I leave while I am still good at what I do. As long as I can protect the guys, then I will fight bulls. Working with the CBR gives me the opportunity to stay in the industry. This industry is where I want to be until I die.”
Ray hopes to also expand on bull fighting coaching- he will be coaching a clinic with another CBR bull fighter, Matt Baldwin, at the end of this month.
“I’m so busy with all my obligations to the CBR right now, but eventually I hope to do more coaching.” Adds Ray, “I love kids.”
Coaching is a natural for Ray - in other arenas as well - baseball.
“Baseball is my love. It is all I do in my off time. I coach both of my sons’ teams and we travel all over- almost as much as I travel with the CBR,” Ray says. “We also love watching baseball. The Boston Red Sox are our favorite team.”
Ray also has a talent for playing guitar and singing. There are many CBR events when you can catch a group of cowboys sitting around picking guitars and singing. Ray is one of them.
“I love all kinds of music, old country and old rock and roll are favorites. Merle Haggard is my favorite artist.”
When asked about his most prized possessions and greatest accomplishments, they both had to do with CBR finals.
“I am very proud of my bull fighting buckle from last years CBR finals and proud that I have fought bulls in the finals for the last 6 years,” commented Ray.
Ray talks about the dangers of bull riding- and how the animals are better than ever. “At this level the bulls are faster, smarter and way more athletic. It’s a whole different ball game.”
“There are a lot of great bulls out there. Right now my favorite is Directory Assistance - (DM 411), He’s a bad son of a gun.”
Over the years Ray has sustained many injuries including what he will call his “scariest moment” when a bull stepped on his head in Orange, Texas about 10 years ago. Ray had his right ear ripped off as a result of this stomp.
While there are many serious moments in the arena Ray says that bull fighting is a dream job and he has a lot of fun.
“Some of the funniest moments are inside the arena - especially when Tuff and Terry (Williams) give their commentary on what is going on. Matt and I just laugh sometimes at some of the things that are said. It is a very serious business producing the shows that we do, but we also have a great time.”
Ray continues to comment on his camaraderie at the CBR, “I work with the best guys in the business - from the back pen guys to the announcers and everyone in between. We work hard and we are like a family. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Q and A with Ray Clary
Name: Ray “Ray Ray” Clary Jr
Birth date: 1/13/75
Hometown: Lufkin, TX
Family: Newlywed to wife Jori- Proud dad to 13 year old son Audy. Mom Cindi and Dad Arnold, Grandpa Louie, sister Heather
What are your Hobbies? Coaching baseball, guitar playing
Do you have an idol or someone you look up to? Both my dad and grandfather are my heroes.
What are your goals? Number one is to stay healthy- and then make a living. I’m easy to please.
What are your accomplishments? My greatest accomplishment is fighting in the CBR finals.
Why do you bull fight? I love the industry and I love being around the bulls. I also like helping the guys. It is very rewarding when you to take a hit and see that the rider is ok and then for them to come up and thank me after, that’s what its all about. You have to want to help people in this line of work.
List of injuries:
Broke arm
Broke Ribs
Torn Meniscus (knee)
Broke Fingers
Ear torn off
Anything else you want to add? I want to thank my family and my traveling family, the CBR, for always being there for me and giving me this great opportunity and especially Waggin’ Train Dog Treats for their partnership with CBR and the sponsorship of us, the Waggin’ Train Dog Treats Bull Fighters!
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