TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
And for 30-year-old Tyson Wagner, clown who entertained at this recent Rimbey Rodeo, it’s even more than serious business.
“It’s a passion.”
I love it,” he admits. “Getting people laughing, that’s when it’s the best, that’s when it’s fun.”
Wagner, who lives west of St. Paul close to St. Brides, which he describes as a little one-horse town, has been a rodeo clown since only last summer. He is, however, no stranger to rodeos, and for 10 years he flirted with danger constantly as a bullfighter.
“I was the guy who protected the cowboys,’ he said. “I distracted the bulls so the cowboys could get off safe.”
The amiable father of two said bull fighting was an unlikely profession for him to follow.
“I grew up in Macklin, Sask., I was a town kid. It was just supposed to be a weekend thing. I was just going to try it out.”
But, it turned out the town kid loved being a bullfighter.
“I loved it. I couldn’t wait to go (to the next rodeo),” he said.
Even though he loved the excitement and the adrenalin rush he experienced each time he faced a dangerous bull, it was a downright frightening experience, he said.
“Every time I walked in, the fear was always there.”
And Wagner did not escape the years as a bullfighter without a few injuries. He once spent four days at the University of Alberta Hospital with a crack in his windpipe when a bull ran over him. He also suffered a cracked eye socket, broken fingers and cracked ribs.
Finally after years of being on the road following up to 22 rodeos a summer, he decided to take a break.
Last year he stayed home more, and even went fishing a couple of times.
But the rodeo bug never left him and he decided to give clowning a try.
It proved to be a positive move.
“I always wanted to be a clown,” he said. “And it’s turned out real good.”
Clowning means being part of the rodeo action, even rolling around in the mud if that antic works to stir up a little laughter.
“It’s nothing that a little laundry and a hot shower can’t fix,” he said.
Wagner is busy throughout July clowning at rodeos throughout Alberta. And he is pleased his wife, TJ, and sons, 19-month-old Trace and seven-month-old Tyler are travelling with him.
He is especially pleased Trace is already participating in the mutton bustin’ events and seems to love the rodeo life. In fact, it seems like his son has already shown promise of being a definite chip off the old block.
“I certainly hope so,” said Wagner with unmistakable fatherly pride.