[Bette]

Montana's most famous rodeo clown is enjoying rock-star status in his new role on the Professional Bull Riders circuit.
Prior to signing with the PBR, Rasmussen was named the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association clown of the year eight straight years, and appeared in eight straight National Final Rodeos."I've always been a climber," said Rasmussen. "One night, I realized I reached as high as I could go in the PRCA and I was looking for something different."
"The PBR came along and I jumped at the chance."



Great Falls Tribune - www.greatfallstribune.com - Great Falls, MT



Rasmussen says what he does is like a professional sports show. He is a great entertainer and the fans love him.

[luckycowgirl]

One of the reasons Flint chose the PBR was it allowed him more time to spend with his family. He and Katie try to bring their girls with them as much as possible.. Spending more time with his family has to be the biggest reward of all.



Flint Rasmussen // About Flint - 10 Questions

[Bette]

Originally Posted by luckycowgirl

One of the reasons Flint chose the PBR was it allowed him more time to spend with his family. He and Katie try to bring their girls with them as much as possible.. Spending more time with his family has to be the biggest reward of all.



Flint Rasmussen // About Flint - 10 Questions

How old are his girls?
How often does the rodeo clown get hurt?
I'm not a rodeo fan (bet you couldnt tell lol) so I have all kinds of questions.
Do they get some kind of training or is it just passed on from one to another?
And how on earth do these cowboys get insurance protection? What company in their right mind would cover them?

[luckycowgirl]

I think his daughters Shelby and Paige are 6 and 4.

Most go to school to learn, others just do it.

Insurance is almost always available...if you have enough money.

This is from an article in Rodeo News

Almost every college graduate talks of how they worked themselves through college, but most would have starved if they had the job Flint Rasmussen had that put him through school at Western Montana in Dillon, clowning. What began as a challenge from his family has now become a full-time career for the Montana native. Rasmussen grew up in and around rodeo, trailing along with his dad who was an announcer. "I was more into football, track, basketball, drama and music", he admits, although he did bulldog and team rope some. At a rodeo with his family, he commented that he wasn't very impressed with the clown and stated, "I could do better." His dad and brother challenged him to do it and at age 19 he began clowning and it helped put him through college.

Now he is one of the most popular attractions at larger PRCA rodeos and Professional Bull Riders events. An honor student, Rasmussen completed a double major in History and Math. He taught high school math, history and coached football in Havre, Montana. By age 24, Rasmussen became restless. "I couldn't see myself settling in and doing this (teaching) forever."

Many people view Rasmussen's job as getting to goof off. "What people don't realize is it takes some brains and discipline." As much as Rasmussen is involved with the show he is not the whole show and it takes discipline to work with the announcer yet allow him to do his job, too. He also needs to be close enough to his barrel to be of help to the bull fighter or bull rider if needed and that means he can"t stray too far away while entertaining.

Perhaps the most unique thing about Rasmussen's beginning is the fact that he began as a barrel man. He didn't follow the typical path of fighting bulls then moving to the barrel as age or injury caught up to him. "I never fought bulls. I just wanted to be an entertainer." Of course if a bullfighter he was working with got into trouble Flint wouldn't hesitate to help him as he proved at Denver's National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. Unfortunately, the pickup man on his horse had the same idea and the collision left Flint with a separated shoulder and bruised ribs. With ten-plus performances left at the National Western, Flint barely slowed down as he nursed his injuries.

Rocky Mountain Roper

[Bette]

Originally Posted by luckycowgirl

I think his daughters Shelby and Paige are 6 and 4.

Most go to school to learn, others just do it.

Insurance is almost always available...if you have enough money.

This is from an article in Rodeo News

Almost every college graduate talks of how they worked themselves through college, but most would have starved if they had the job Flint Rasmussen had that put him through school at Western Montana in Dillon, clowning. What began as a challenge from his family has now become a full-time career for the Montana native. Rasmussen grew up in and around rodeo, trailing along with his dad who was an announcer. "I was more into football, track, basketball, drama and music", he admits, although he did bulldog and team rope some. At a rodeo with his family, he commented that he wasn't very impressed with the clown and stated, "I could do better." His dad and brother challenged him to do it and at age 19 he began clowning and it helped put him through college.

Now he is one of the most popular attractions at larger PRCA rodeos and Professional Bull Riders events. An honor student, Rasmussen completed a double major in History and Math. He taught high school math, history and coached football in Havre, Montana. By age 24, Rasmussen became restless. "I couldn't see myself settling in and doing this (teaching) forever."

Many people view Rasmussen's job as getting to goof off. "What people don't realize is it takes some brains and discipline." As much as Rasmussen is involved with the show he is not the whole show and it takes discipline to work with the announcer yet allow him to do his job, too. He also needs to be close enough to his barrel to be of help to the bull fighter or bull rider if needed and that means he can"t stray too far away while entertaining.

Perhaps the most unique thing about Rasmussen's beginning is the fact that he began as a barrel man. He didn't follow the typical path of fighting bulls then moving to the barrel as age or injury caught up to him. "I never fought bulls. I just wanted to be an entertainer." Of course if a bullfighter he was working with got into trouble Flint wouldn't hesitate to help him as he proved at Denver's National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. Unfortunately, the pickup man on his horse had the same idea and the collision left Flint with a separated shoulder and bruised ribs. With ten-plus performances left at the National Western, Flint barely slowed down as he nursed his injuries.

Rocky Mountain Roper

Thanks.

I didnt realize there was a difference. You mentioned bullfighter and barrel man. Please clarify.
Oh, in another thread (Bull Fight) something came up about what rodeo stock eat? What do they feed them?
And when these champion animals retire, what happens to them?
I got lots of questions. You'll make a rodeo fan out of me yet maybe?

[luckycowgirl]

maybe this will help explain...



Dream Job: Rodeo Clown It may look like fun and games to the people in the stands, but this is serious business, and not just any clown can do it.


Dream Jobs | Rodeo Clown

[Bette]

That was interesting. Thank you.
I have a healthy respect for bulls so I never thought it was fun and games. And these guys are bigger than the bulls on my father's farm so I have an even greater respect for them.
Those clowns are brave beyond belief. They regularly put their life on the line for the Cowboy.

[luckycowgirl]

yeah, they do.