August 31, 2022 Issue, Page 24 of 30

Page Text

PG14 aT THE RODEO, Wednesiay, August 31, 2022 — er entertainment part of winning is the crowd. what others don’t see and know what others T've always believed this crowd always wanted don’t know about that connection. to see the bull fight, although they didn't want Another highlight of Kimzey's career was me to get hurt. That's what fight and bulls were when he and another bullfighter, Greg Rum- all about. You had the escape route at the last hor, were asked to open the NER with a rank moment and go up the fence or maybe climb bullfight. over and sit in the ladies’ lap or something. “The NFR hand-picked me and him (Rum- And the bull won. I entertained the people. hor) to fight this bull. I was really worried I cannot explain that. It’s almost unexplain- about it because this is the opening of the able,” he said. NER. They built this big hoopla around it. And When Kimzey put on the make-up it was I'm worried to death about the what ‘ifs,’ but like magic. He would walk through the gate it turned out awesome. Greg and I both did and do something to make the people laugh. our jobs. It was over. Greg andI turned around “The people were up there, and if I could do and gave one another a big hug. We didn't something that made them laugh, or make know it at time, we knew that the people were Ted Kimzey at Draggin Main in Cheyenne. Photo by Erick Huling. them forget about the things going on in their applauding, but when we quit hugging one propriate equipment, which is an important of achievements to be proud of. He may not lives, that was my job. It was to make them another and turned around and the major- part of this story. He is able to watch them, see himself as a legend or a role model, but ity, I can't say everybody, but the majority, of forget,” he noted. as they make their marks in the rodeo arena. ‘The hardest part of the rodeo circuit was 17,000 people were standing. I can't describe He doesn’t take credit for their success, only he has developed something stronger than waking up Sunday morning to an empty arena. that feeling,” he reported. that he and their mother provided them with the awards or notoriety. He has his family ‘The conversation then turned to Kimzey’s and the thousands of friends he made along Kimzey described the blowing trash, the hol- opportunities to do what they love to do. children, “I am the father to what I believe to the way. Some of them are famous, some are low sounds that followed the Saturday crowds. Ted and his son Sage were inducted into the Although he would pick-up and go to the next be three of the greatest kids that ever came Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2015. ranchers, and some are cowboys, but Kimzey rodeo, he found the emptiness following a out of western Oklahoma. They haven't fol- As the seasoned rodeo clown settled back is still developing friendships that will last a crowded arena the hardest part of his job. lowed my footsteps, because they have done into his ranch in Strong City, he has a lifetime lifetime. ‘The chemistry between the clowns or bull- something different in the rodeo.” fighters was huge to the success of his job. “I was so lucky in my career that I got to deo.com! Kimzey was not only skilled in the barrel and work with some individuals and become very, knowing where to be in the arena, he knew very good friends, Tremendous friends, some how to get the crowd involved in the event. of what I thought were the absolute greatest He had an instinct as to where to be. He called of all rodeo clowns, funny men of all times. it the connection between the bullfighter and I'm sure a lot of that rubbed off on me. I know the barrel man that was big. it did. Because I looked at them because they Rods. ef Hbegrpions “When I look back at all of it, one of the big- were my idols, and I got the chance to work gest, absolutely biggest and the one that I'm with them,” he added. = ‘ veo the proudest of, is that the bullfighters in the He said that Chuck Hanson was one of the Wrangler bullfights chose me to be the barrel guys that influenced him, along with Rick man. That is who picked it every year. It was Young. Kimzey believes that they are the best Seonsons: ‘BDM Mud « Bankof Westem OK + Boomtown Gril the top bullfighters that went to the Wrangler in the business. They taught him how to enjoy Buffalo Creek Boutique » Canyon Oifeld Senvices » Ctyof Ek Cty Culver Electric * Doug Gray Dodge* Dr. Pepper Botting Co. Bulldog finals during the NER. And they chose the business, but Johnny Tatum was the one ecg Edward Jones » Elk Cty ACE Home Center me 17 times,” he said. who taught him how to be a professional. EIR Gi Chamber of Commerce + Farm Credit of WesternOK First National Bank Fred's Steakhouse « Galleria Fumiture Oulet Knowing where to be was easy for Kimzey. “My peers consider me the best of all times. Great Plains Ana)tical Services + Great Plains Bank Great lain Regional Medical Ctr + Hutch's CStores » Hutton ine He said that it just comes to him, but it didn’t I don't consider myself the best of all times, as LaDonna's Wine & Spins » Lucky Star Casino make a difference whether it was the rodeo far as the comedy. I do consider myself one of ‘Oklahoma Oi & Natural Gas+ O'Reily Auto Parts« PrairieFre Gril Price Farms * Rother Bros, ne. * Sonic Driven « Smith Mechanical”) clown, the bullfighter or the bull rider, he had to know howa cow thinks. It was important to the best of all time, among many. That's what I strived for and tried to do. My entire career | OF CHAMPIONS ‘Smith Title & Closing* Sparklight + Terry's Fumiture Showroom Tractor Supply * Trailer Tee For more info: 405.317.7161 understand how they think. I was becoming the best. But I don't think a SEPT. 2-3-4 ‘This was true as he trained his zebra. He Tickets go on sale Aug. 29 person ever gets to that level. You just can't, at the arena ticket office and trained and road an African zebra that he got because nobody gets perfect,” he said. at Cir ea Western Wea from Dr. L.V. Baker. He called the zebra Doc. Kimzey added that all of his children encour- 8 P.M. NIGHTLY ~ Being able to train a wild zebra proved his con- age others to wear proper safety equipment. Parade September 3 * 10am nection with animals. He has been able to see ‘They won't go into the arena without the ap- “Downtown Elk City, OK