Whiplash the cowboy monkey is headed for Mound City, Kansas.
“We’re really excited that Whiplash has been contracted for feature entertainment at the Linn County Fair Rodeo, Friday and Saturday evenings, Aug. 8 and 9,” announced John Teagarden,LaCygne, longtime rodeo committeeman and promoter.
Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), rodeo action is to feature livestock from New Frontier Rodeo Company, owned by Jimmy Crowther and family, at Gypsum.
“Jimmy Crowther has a 40-year history in rodeo, first as a highly successful bull rider, and followed by more than 30 years of producing amateur and professional rodeos in Kansas and adjoining states. It is believed that Jimmy Crowther has produced more rodeos in Kansas than any other stock contractor in the last two decades,” Teagarden noted.
“Whiplash is a white-headed capuchin monkey known for riding his Border Collie mount called Boogie at rodeos across the United States, and we’re really excited to have him coming to Mound City, Kansas,” Teagarden commented.
“Truly a fan favorite, Whiplash and Booger have been honored three times as Pro Rodeo Entertainer of the Year, putting smiles on faces for years,” Teagarden added.
“Riding since he was two-years-old, Whiplash travels the country herding sheep and goats and barrel racing at rodeos, ball games and other events across North America and Europe. Whiplash never misses a chance to show his skills and cowboy spirit,” Teagarden assured.
In 2004, he starred in a series of television advertisements for the fast food chain Taco John’s. Whiplash has also appeared on “ESPN, Good Morning America,” and “The Today Show.”
On January 29, 2009, Whiplash was knighted in St. Paul, Minnesota, by the St. Paul Winter Carnival Royalty near the Xcel Energy Center as part of the Toughest Cowboy event. Whiplash has over 7 million views on You Tube.
Whiplash’s trainer, Tommy Lucia has been a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1966. Lucia purchased Whiplash as a baby from the widow of an animal enthusiast in Miami Florida.
As Lucia raised the young monkey, he introduced him to balancing on a saddle, then to the family’s dogs. Over time, the dogs became used to carrying Whiplash.
Lucia has recently retired, but knowing how much fans around the globe enjoy seeing Whiplash The Cowboy Monkey perform, Lucia decided to sell his famous act to a fellow PRCA card holder, Kenny Petet.
Linn County Fair Rodeo spectators will again be greeted by the new arena renovation completed just before the 2013 fair.
“The 1950s-built wooden bleachers on pipe frames were replaced by state of the art aluminium seating. Also, a new energy efficient stadium lighting system replaced the old lights that dated back to the 1970s,” Teagarden related.
“Obviously, this is a huge improvement for our spectators, both comfort and safety wise,” Teagarden said.
Jimmy Crowther was one of the first rodeo producers to recognize the potential of the bucking bull genetics of the late Charlie Plummer, legendary breeder at Sayer, Oklahoma.
“While still competing as a bull rider, Jimmy Crowther purchased three bulls and six heifers from Plummer in 1978. Now, 36 years later, Jimmy runs 100 head of Plummer bred cows and breeding bulls on his ranch near Gypsum and Roxbury.
“It is the only herd of pure Plummer genetics in the nation and highly sought after by breeders of bucking bulls, guaranteeing the very best bull riding action at the Linn County Fair Rodeo, August 8 and 9, in Mound City, Kansas,” Teagarden welcomed.