NO BULL: Tribute to rodeo clown

I am sending this information about an interesting fellow I met while I was president of Panhandle Equine Rescue there in Coeur d’Alene.

Bob Donaldson lived the more modern day cowboy life, but practiced the traditional cowboy code of behavior. He was kind, a hard worker, and he was a fellow who tended to put more on life’s plate than he ever took from it.

Bob spent his younger years on the rodeo circuit, and participated in several different rodeo events over the first few years. After traveling to Europe for some Helsinki demonstrations and visiting some of the surrounding area, he seemed to find his true calling in the rodeo world and became a bullfighter, a practice often referred to as a “Rodeo Clown,” but, in truth is the responsibility of protecting other cowboys who ride the bulls and as they complete their ride either by dismounting or being thrown off their bull. Bullfighters rush in and distract the bull from mauling the vulnerable rider and put themselves in harm’s way to prevent any injury to the rider.

Bob, in his usual manner, took any job he had seriously and did it to the best of his ability. Devoted to his beliefs, he spent some of his time in the Coeur d’Alene area committed to working with youngsters of the local 4-H group, giving weekly lessons in the art of safe practices in riding and horse training through the application of gentle training methods.

Bob has always embraced the concepts of the cowboy way, through kindness, honesty and respect to all, especially women and children. Bob was recently inducted into the Wranglers Bullfighters Hall of Fame, and was awarded the traditional buckle. A big and strong-as-a-bull cowboy, there were many who were fortunate to share his attributes and he, in return, earned their admiration, including my own.

TONY MANGAN

Pickens, S.C.