Bullfighters and Barrelmen may look like clowns, but they are actually accomplished athletes and the first line of defense for the Bull Riders. Putting their own lives on the line to distract a charging bull or rescuing a cowboy tangled in his bull rigging, the Bullfighter and Barrelman can be the difference between life and death for the bull riding cowboys.

While the Bullfighter tends to distract the bull by running around, the Barrelman has a different means of distraction... "the barrel". Placed in the proper position close to the bullriding action, the Rodeo Barrel may look like the best seat in the house, however, when needed, the barrel can be rolled to block a bull from it's fallen rider... sometimes with the Barrelman in it!

Besides helping the Bullfighters distract the bulls, the Barrelman also entertains the audience by doing comedy skits or providing humorous banter with the rodeo announcer. Even the Bullfighters get into the comedy act during any lull in the action. Behind the baggy clothes and grease paint are true professional athletes whose job is to not only entertain the rodeo audience, but to protect the cowboys that make the Silver Spurs Rodeo such a fun and exciting event!