The clowns:
Clowning is serious business at a rodeo โ it is their job to distract the bull once a rider gets bucked off. They wave their hands, run around, climb into a barrel and taunt the massive bulls so that they go after them rather than the riders scrambling to their feet.
Itโs a family business for Wacey Munsell, who has been a rodeo clown for 13 years. Sure, heโs broken a shoulder, injured a legโbut โit comes with the job.โ The trick to good clowningโbesides gutsโis knowing how to read the animals, and knowing the rodeo game, he says.
And thatโs just what Brock Payne is learningโthe game. The 5 year old is ready to assist the clowns for the junior competition. A cowboy hat covers his white-blonde hair, and clown makeup his face: white triangles outlined in black cover his cheeks, the number 86 in the center of each. Thatโs the number of his uncle, Jeremy Payne, who is competing in the rodeo. A black cross is drawn on his chin, a peace sign on the tip of his nose.
Why does he do it? โI like to be funny,โ he explains.
He takes to the field with confidence when the mutton riding begins. When a run ends, Brock flies across the field, herding the sheep off to the side. They pay attention. Adults are there to help with the herding, but he doesnโt seem to need it.
And when the junior steer riding competition begins, Brock is right there, standing in the barrel, just waiting for that steer to come his way.
He likes playing to the crowd, which cheers him on.
Little Brock may be funny, but he has guts, too.
