Rodeo Clowns

This is in defense of Rodeo Clowns in general and to point out some of what they actually do in a rodeo.

Rodeo Clowns {Clowns} during a rodeo are the first thing most kids see.  They are the guys and gals that get the audience engaged in the rodeo.  Sometimes they entertain the audience.  Sometimes they rescue a rider from a bull or a horse.  Always they must make it look easy and fun to do.  It is far from fun and easy.

The average Clown is carring anywhere from 60 to 150 pounds of extra gear at anyone time during a rodeo.  Before you start yelling no they don't  I will point out that most of the weight is from body Armour and padding designed to protect not just the clown but the rider as well.  They also have to move a variety of objects during a performance that will vary depending upon the routine.  So the weight actually varies depending upon the situation.

Next the Clown must protect the riders.  This means that they might have to endure getting apparently gored  by a bull while keeping a rider down.  Or they might have to play with the bull while the rider escapes the ring.  Or a Clown might be the distraction while the rest of the team gets the rider out.  The jobs vary during a rodeo and not all are glamorous.

Finally the Clown must be entertaining to the audience while doing all of this.  Acrobatics, making balloon toys, playing with the bull/horse while the audience thinks this is all fun and games.  The animals must be distracted but so does the audience.  The difficulty lies in how the Clown makes the crowd part of the show.

After a rodeo most clowns also take a hand feeding and caring for the various animals used during the rodeo.  This might include calling for a vet to deal with a dangerous animal like a horse with a broken leg.  Or it might just be seeing to the feeding and watering of the animals between shows.  Part of the job not all that fun or glamorous. 

If you think you know what the clowns do then you are a long way from really knowing.  Post your comment below.