“It takes cow sense to be a bullfighter.”
While the statement might seem a bit of pun on words, that’s the way it is, according to one of the most up-and-coming professionals in the business.
“I know how to work around cattle and horses, when they move, I move. It’s instinctive I guess, but in reality that’s what I know makes me standout different, and hopefully better, than some other rodeo bullfighters,” emphatically explained Daniel Dyson from Dayton, Texas.
“When I see a bull rider get off his rope, I know it won’t be long until that cowboy is on the ground, and I’m ready,” Bullfighter Dyson said.
“It just seems to take experience working around livestock, and having experience riding bulls, getting bucked off of bulls, sadly, and taking care of business, to succeed as a rodeo bullfighter today,” continued Dyson, who’ll be putting his actions behind his words this week.
He’s one of the threesome cowboy savers-entertainers contracted for the Flint Hills Rodeo, June 4-5-6, in Strong City. Garrett Kissack is coming from Casper, Wyoming, to serve as dual-bullfighter, andfunnyman Brian Potter, Newville, Alabama, will make the crowds smile throughout each rodeo performance as well as work in and out of the clown barrel during the bull riding.
Spectators often taken bullfighters for granted, but it’s a science in itself, according to Dyson. “A bull is 6 to 8-feet long, and I’m only a foot or so wide, so I can turn little bitty circles, while he’s getting around one time. It’s hard to explain, actually, but being smaller and more agile allows a bullfighter to get right in on the action, attract the bull away from a cowboy, and prevent injury,” he contended.
“Oh, I have to be awake all of the time, but when you’ve done it as much as I have, been around as many bulls, both on their back and the ground in front of them, it becomes natural impulsive drive, too,” Dyson assured.
While there are those who insist one can learn the profession from schooling, watching others, getting advice from more-seasoned in the rodeo arena, Dyson asserted experience from the school of hard knocks is the main ingredient to be successful as a professional bullfighter, no matter what anybody says.
“My dad rode bareback horses and bulls, so I followed in his boot steps, so-to-speak, started riding bulls when I was 15-years-old, then had some success riding saddle broncs in high school, and even competed in cutting horse competitions, when I was a senior,” reflected Dyson, who revealed, “I did all of the events,” at one time or another..
After high school, he directed attention to bull riding, and collected his share of winnings. Then, Dyson had the urge to help fallen cowboys from the mad, bucking, spinning, fighting bulls, and found that to actually be more to his liking. “There’s a paycheck every time I go in the arena now, and I don’t know if I’d say it’s easier fighting bulls than riding, but there’s sure a lot of satisfaction in helping a down bull rider out of a storm. Plus, I really like to test my skills against those of the bulls,” he confessed.
Obviously, the cowboys and the crowds appreciate Dyson’s abilities in front of the bulls, leading to acclaim and demand. “I’ve pretty well got my calendar booked with rodeos, more than 40 this year, and more than 100 performances,” he tallied.
Fighting bulls for six years, Dyson was in most demand early in his career at junior rodeos, Little Britches competitions, then high school and college events, and especially the Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association, highlighted by working that Texas-based organization’s Finals in both 2013 and 2014.
An especially memorable rodeo for Dyson was the 2014 Youth Bull riding World Finals in Abilene, Texas, where he was voted one of the two top bullfighters out of a dozen working that competition.
Texas is home, but Dyson is demanded throughout the country, working rodeos from Clovis, New Mexico, to West Jordan, Utah, and beyond in every direction. “Dayton, Iowa, was really cool to fight there, being from Dayton, Texas,” he admitted.
Injuries come with the profession as one would suspect, and Dyson has been fortunate none too serious other than springs and bruises, with one exception. After working on a permit in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeos, Dyson was demonstrating his skills at a bullfighter’s school to get final approval for his pro card, when a mean bull horned in on his business, seriously.
One can only get full effect of the way it was by hearing Dyson relate circumstances personally. “I got hooked in the ‘butt,’ the horn went in 3 ½ inches. I can’t go into the details any more than that, but it was really pretty serious,” smiling and flinching apparent through the phone line Dyson reflection.
Suffice to say he was out of the ring for more than three months. “Fortunately, my ‘backside’ healed up just fine,” claimed Dyson, seemingly with no shyness, or even the slightest intimidation to get back to business fighting bulls and saving cowboys.
Family is important to Dyson with three brothers and a sister, but he’s the only one active in rodeo competition. “My sister Hope helps Jennings Rodeo Photography, so she’s close to the sport. My family operates K&E Konstruxion & Dezign, Inc., and we all work in that storage terminal business around the country, Houston, Philadelphia, Baltimore” he said.
Some modern day bullfighters don’t get into the clown getup of days gone by, but Dyson insisted, “I’m old school all of the way. I can do it all. I’m into grease paint, baggy overalls, polka dot shirt, flashy scarf, right along with the cleats. Yes sir, I’m a bullfighter, but I’m a clown, a funnyman, too,” he guaranteed leaving no doubt.
How long can a 25-year-old continue in the present most dangerous profession? “I know what I’m doing. I intend to fight rodeo bulls for another 15 years, then I’ll continue as a clown and funnyman. I’m funny, and I know how to entertain rodeo crowds. I have a handful of acts in my mind, that I’ll develop when I start clowning fulltime,” Dyson affirmed.
So now, to make bullfighter Daniel Dyson live up to spectators’ expectations. Flint Hills Rodeo performances get underway at 8 o’clock, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at Strong City, Kansas, in the arena brought to fame by the world champion Roberts Rodeo Family. “See you there this weekend,” Dyson said with a cellphone smirk.
“The Emmett Roberts family moved to Chase County in 1931. Emmett Roberts, Ken Roberts and Marjorie’s first husband Eddie Boysen hosted the first professional rodeo at Strong City in May 1937,” according to Kim Reyer, Strong City ranch store businessman and rodeo bull producer serving as chairman of the rodeo’s promotion committee this year.
“The event was first in a temporary arena in the backyard of the Roberts’ Ranch, but the rodeo was so successful that the family built a more permanent arena, and hosted the rodeo for the next three years,” Reyer said.
During this time, the Flint Hills Rodeo Association, Inc., was formed and stocks were sold and issued. From 1941 through 1947 a new rodeo arena was developed on leased ground. By 1945, the seating capacity had expanded enough for 8,000 spectators, with never an empty bleacher spot idle.
“In 1947, due to the relocation of Highway 50, a 20-acre parcel was purchased, and is the current location of the rodeo today,” Reyer informed.
The Roberts family consisted of eight members, and they all took part in the rodeo business in different ways.
“They owned their own rodeo stock and furnished it for the Flint Hills Rodeo from 1946 to 1961, before selling Roberts Rodeo Company to the Flint Hills Rodeo Association which continued supplying stock at professional rodeos throughout the country for several years,’ Reyer said.
Marjorie was a women bronc rider, trick rider and western artist. Ken was the world champion bull rider in 1943, 1944, and 1945. Gerald Roberts was the world champion all-around cowboy in 1942 and 1948. Dad Emmett Roberts was named the 1977 Rodeo Man of the Year.
“Clara Roberts, Emmet’s wife and momma of the rodeo kids, provided the family with a steady home base and extended hospitality to the rodeo cowboys who often ate and or stayed in the Robert’s home,” Reyer said.
The two younger sons, Clifford and Howard were Merchant Marines, Howard did travel with Ken and Gerald some bull riding, bulldogging and in the wild horse race as the mugger, but was generally called on to stay at the home ranch and look after the livestock and farming operations. There’s no recollection of Clifford involved to much extent in the rodeo arena action, but little sister Gloria was the rodeo secretary for many years.
“The Flint Hills Rodeo, the oldest consecutive rodeo in Kansas, has always been PRCA approved, and is definitely recognized as one of the best. Credit for much of its success must go to the small beginning at the Roberts’ Ranch, and the many years of service from the family. See you there this week, too,” Reyer reiterated Bullfighter Dyson.