Clowns are “Rodeo Protection Athletes” at 98th Annual Lake Chelan Rodeo
by Loni Rahm and Rod Cool
When in doubt, go to Wikipedia. “A rodeo clown, bullfighter or rodeo protection athlete, is a rodeo performer who works in bull riding competitions. Originally, the rodeo clown was a single job combining “bullfighting”—the protection of riders thrown from the bull, as well as being an individual who provided comic relief.”
Rodeo Clowns are performers and entertainers. They love to make their audience laugh. However, their primary job is to protect the cowboys. They are, in essence, bull fighters. They put themselves between an angry bull and the cowboy that was just tossed to the ground so the cowboy can escape. The bonus to spectators is they make you laugh while they do it. When you come to the 2019 Lake Chelan Rodeo, you will be entertained by one of the best.
Ike Pryor is returning to the Rustler’s Arena to put his funny on. He’ll make you laugh till your belly hurts. Ike has simply been there and done that in the rodeo business. He started out fighting bulls in 1982. He became the “man in the can” in 1990 when he switched to being rodeo clown/barrel man. He quickly became the sweetheart of the rodeo with his quick wit and animal acts that have included roosters, skunks, Dexter cattle, feinting goats, border collies, and donkeys.
His creativity and sense of humor led to acts with clown cars, magic tricks, and pyrotechnics. He has been a pathfinder and trendsetter in the clown business for the past 29 years. His career has taken him more than 3 million miles down the rodeo trail from the Canadian Border to the Mexican Border and most points in between in Western United States. His trophy case holds 10 Clown of the Year buckles from 3 different associations.
Ike is an all-around good guy who thinks he’s pretty good-looking cowboy, as well. But we’ll be glad he is wearing his make up when he enters the arena to entertain you. So, make sure you’re in the grandstands when Ike Pryor Rodeo Funny Man extraordinaire enters the arena to entertain you and the kids.
Make plans now to attend the greatest show on dirt at the 98th Annual Lake Chelan Rodeo, July 26 & 27. The rodeo grounds, vendors and beer garden open at 5pm. Performances start at 7:00 p.m.each night.
