Rodeo Clown

If you “google” the history of the rodeo clown, in the 1920s the true occupation of a rodeo clown was born. They were hired to travel all across the country toting costumes, jokes, and specialty acts solely to entertain rodeo spectators during slow times of the performance. Originally, the rodeo clown was a single job combining “bullfighting” (protecting the riders thrown from the bull), as well as being an individual who provided comic relief. It was a slapstick routine, with the sole intention of entertainment.

When I was a kid in the 1960’s, my parents took us to the local rodeos. Clown acts were very entertaining. They were funny and crazy and loud and explosive, and my siblings and I looked forward to them. The clown was in the arena for most of the rodeo events. Especially bull riding; still providing protection to the bull riders by distracting the bull during the event. From my observation, this is where they shine! Bulls like to snort and chase anyone in the arena. Clowns torment the bull and the chase is on. How many times have you seen a clown leap into the barrel and wait for a minute or so before he sticks his head out? By that time the bull has either pushed over his barrel or found an open gate to exit the arena.

Rodeo clowns usually have their own act and there is a specific time in the program for them to perform without interruption. You remember them. They were(and still are) the cowboys dressed in mismatched colours and oversized overalls with bright wide elastic suspenders and either tiny or oversized hats. Their faces are painted white, and they use bright colors to exaggerate their eyes and lips! Sometimes they have a ridiculous colored wig under their hat! They are extremely athletic and can dive headfirst into the barrel they bring with them into the arena. Their props are various items; small vehicles, small tame animals, loud cap guns that smoke, lariat rope to throw at the pickup men and oftentimes a stick horse for a cutting horse demonstration and much more. They constantly banter with the rodeo announcer during the delays, short or long. It prevents the crowd from getting restless by adding a little entertainment. Sometimes the clown addresses the rodeo fans in the stands and gets them going with a song or joke or throwing t-shirts or caps into the crowd.

I remember seeing Buddy Heaton and his buffalo one time and he really put on a show, and a name you might be more familiar with, Ernie Marshall who lived and worked in our area and who was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2011. These two are both gone but certainly not forgotten for their amazing long service in rodeo. Today I enjoy the entertainment of Ricki Ticki Wanchuk’sclown acts at rodeo’s across the country as well as some of the rodeo clowns he’s trained including his nephew, Casey Wanchuk. I also enjoy the entertainer rodeo clown, CrAsh Cooper. I’m sure I’ve missed some names along the way, but I sure appreciate their profession and they should all be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame! Keep up the great work! I am your biggest fan!