bar*rel*man
What Is The Definition Of A Barrelman In Rodeo?
A barrelman is a type of clown that has a very important role in the course of a rodeo event. Their job is to entertain during slower moments and distract bulls after certain rodeo events to protect the riders and allow them sufficient time to escape the arena.
What Is The History Of The Barrelman?
The evolution of the barrelman in American rodeo started in the 1930s. Wearing painted faces and jumbo-sized clothing, they were easy for the audience and those working in the arena to see. At the same time, larger and more aggressive Brahman bulls that exceeded two thousand pounds were also being introduced into arenas, making rider safety even more important.
The safety of the exposed clowns was also crucial, as they were often first in line with a charging and angry bull. In the 1930s, one famous rodeo clown named Jasbo Fulkerson was so fed up with being trampled and chased down by angry bulls that he rolled an old reinforced wooden barrel into the arena. The barrel-man name stuck, and hundreds of other clowns followed suit by designing their own barrels for protection and comedy.
What Is The Course One Can Follow To Become A Barrelman?
Being a barrelman is a lot of fun and games, but it’s also serious business. The safety and health of cowboys, as well as the clowns, are often at risk. The Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) takes this role very seriously and requires a barrelman to be fully trained and obtain membership in the PRCA. They go through a vetted process to get a permit that requires the barrelman to work five sanctioned events and be reviewed before their membership will fully become official.
Example Of How Barrelman Is Used In Commentary
1. The official announcement came in that Cody Sosebee was named as the barrelman for the Buffalo Bill rodeo, where he will provide comedic support and rider safety throughout the highly-entertaining Nebraskaland Days.
Also Known As:
1. Clown
2. Rodeo Clown
Sport The Term Is Used
1. Rodeo
