In Harm's Way by Al Bourassa
Okotoks Pro Rodeo August 29, 2008.
These Bullfighter/Clowns earned their keep this night. Not one contestant was injured this night by a bronc or bull due to the skill and agility of two courageous young men. Their job is to distract a huge horned bull or bucking horse from a downed rider until they can scramble to safety.
In the process, these two young men take their own life in their hands and scramble across the line of vision of the animal to distract them, usually within arm’s reach, sometimes putting their hand right in the animal’s face.
On this night one of the Bullfighters was tossed, not once, but twice, like a rag doll by a bull, miraculously avoiding the horns. On this launch, he soared about 20 feet in the air and acrobatically managed to land on his feet and scamper away. The crowd was holding its breath the whole time and the collective sigh of relief was audible. These fellows were by far the best I had ever seen at their job.
This photo has been restored in PS due to the very poor indoor lighting of the arena.
Comments
Lots of furious motion at that exact moment you show… Scarey sport really… Al..
It is the men and women who love the adrenaline rush have made rodeo a great spectator sport for many years, as well as the great animals who are specially bred, pampered and trained athletes for their moments in the sun too. Competitors in rodeo range in age from 5 to 85 in the various disciplines and they continue to help the popularity of the sport grow.
Man what an action packed photo!! This is really well done. Awesome job!!!
Thanks Bette. I had just taken my finger off the shutter button when he got launched…. UGH. My sister has the second launch on video though.
– Al Bourassa
They do it with speed, cunning, misdirection, and tons of idiocy, lol. Without them a lot of riders would get awfully hurt. When a rider gets dumped he is often in a big heap and disoriented for a few seconds. These fellas give the rider a chance to get to safety.
– Al Bourassa
Really great action shot! This one gets my adreneline going! Well captured and the inscription really fills in the details! Well done, Al! …Look forward to more images!
Thanks Blair. I have a few more spaced out to upload over the next few days. I try to keep my uploads to one per day so I don’t bore y’all.
– Al Bourassa
I enjoy titles almost as much as I do the photos. This is a great shot Al. Superb timing! Two great athletes.
Thanks Sandy. I agree that the titles are often what draws you to the photograph. Thanks for looking.
– Al Bourassa
Great action shot! Perfect timing! Well done, Al!!
I wish I had kept pressing the shutter on continuous mode a little longer. Then we would have had a shot for Sports Illustrated!
Can you see the cowboy in the background scrambling for cover while the bull is distracted?
– Al Bourassa
fantastic,,,,,,,,,,,,must be made of rubber,,,lol
These fellas are in good shape, young and flexible, but anyone tossed 20 feet in the air is going to feel the landing somewhat, even if that whipped dirt is relatively soft. I am pretty certain it is the same fella that got nailed twice, and friends said there was only one bullfighter Saturday night, so maybe this guy got hurt just a little.
– Al Bourassa
Either way it’s still awesome…the action is there even if you didn’t get him being launched. I still say anyone who willingly gets in an arena with a bull is certifiable!! (My son used to ride them – idiot child…has no brains I swear!! I’d love to hear what he would say to his kids if they did the things he did when he was younger!! LOL)
You have just uttered the “Parent’s Curse” to your offspring…. lol.
– Al Bourassa
great action !!