News Release
November 30/2009
RODEO MANAGEMENT GROUP - SHORTY LEGGS AGREES TO 2010 CONTRACT
RMG , producers of the Dodge Rodeo Tour came to an agreement with Shorty Leggs for the 2010 season. "We are excited to announce that once again Shorty Leggs will be the Official Rodeo Clown of the Dodge Rodeo Tour " Ross Millar stated. "Shorty Leggs has become the most popular Rodeo entertainer with fans both young and old." RMG's direction will ensure Dodge Rodeo offers the best in entertainment for our fans for 2010. Our marketing team will maintain the Official Shorty Leggs Web Site in the new year allowing Shorties fans to communicate with him and keep abreast of Shorties happenings.
Greg O'Brien of Rodeo Management Group said, "I am very excited to be working with Shorty on this web based project. I think the two of us will come up with something that all of Shorty's fans both young and old will enjoy. He has really given me the creative freedom to produce something both informative and interactive.
November 30/2009
RODEO MANAGEMENT GROUP - SHORTY LEGGS AGREES TO 2010 CONTRACT
RMG , producers of the Dodge Rodeo Tour came to an agreement with Shorty Leggs for the 2010 season. "We are excited to announce that once again Shorty Leggs will be the Official Rodeo Clown of the Dodge Rodeo Tour " Ross Millar stated. "Shorty Leggs has become the most popular Rodeo entertainer with fans both young and old." RMG's direction will ensure Dodge Rodeo offers the best in entertainment for our fans for 2010. Our marketing team will maintain the Official Shorty Leggs Web Site in the new year allowing Shorties fans to communicate with him and keep abreast of Shorties happenings.
Greg O'Brien of Rodeo Management Group said, "I am very excited to be working with Shorty on this web based project. I think the two of us will come up with something that all of Shorty's fans both young and old will enjoy. He has really given me the creative freedom to produce something both informative and interactive.
5 MINUTES WITH THE CLOWN
A SHORT AND SWEET "SHORTY LEGGS" IRM INTERVIEW
Inside Rodeo Magazine - 2009 Edition
Shorty Leggs has long been a staple of the Dodge Rodeo Tour. His antics keep up laughing and keep the show going when trouble arises in the arena. Most of the time it's hard to stop him when he gets started but for this interview Shorty keeps it "Short and Sweet" and we learn more about the man behind the make-up than we have in four years of doing this magazine.
IRM: Where are you from Shorty - there seems to be some confusion?
Shorty: Well I'm currently from Port Burwell Ontario - home of the most beautiful beach in Ontario.
IRM: You've been at this clown thing for awhile now - do you ever get tired of it?
Shorty: There is absolutely no way I could ever get tired of doing this. I have the best job in the world because I get to entertain the absolute best crowds in the rodeo world.
IRM: What do you think your greatest achievement has been as a rodeo entertainer?
Shorty: That's simple - It hasn't happened yet.
IRM: Do you look at this as a hobby or a profession at this point?
Shorty: If I answered one or the other I'd be lying. The truth is that this is neither - It's my life.
IRM: Are you happy with where you are in the rodeo world right now?
Shorty: Yes - anytime I get to see any of the boys ride it's a gift to me. I'm in a very good place that way.
IRM: Being that you got your start in Bull riding and have now spent many years inside the arena in one capacity or other can we get a list of injuries off the top of your head?
Shorty: Later
IMR: Later?
Shorty: Later - I'm not done with my injuries yet.
IRM: What do you think your strengths are as an entertainer?
Shorty: Well.....I'm a good dresser.
IRM: What the most difficult thing about entertaining for you?
Shorty: That's easy. Having to perform when 1 of my friends has been hurt. It happens all the time. Every one of these kids is "my kid" and when that happens my job is to entertain the crowd. It's the hardest thing that I have to do as part of my job - telling jokes while they receive medical attention. I always take this home with me and it takes something out of me each time I have to do it. I've always had trouble reconciling this and I hope I never do.
IRM: Any personal heroes or role models?
Shorty: Super Dave Osborne. How can you not love Super Dave?
A SHORT AND SWEET "SHORTY LEGGS" IRM INTERVIEW
Inside Rodeo Magazine - 2009 Edition
Shorty Leggs has long been a staple of the Dodge Rodeo Tour. His antics keep up laughing and keep the show going when trouble arises in the arena. Most of the time it's hard to stop him when he gets started but for this interview Shorty keeps it "Short and Sweet" and we learn more about the man behind the make-up than we have in four years of doing this magazine.
IRM: Where are you from Shorty - there seems to be some confusion?
Shorty: Well I'm currently from Port Burwell Ontario - home of the most beautiful beach in Ontario.
IRM: You've been at this clown thing for awhile now - do you ever get tired of it?
Shorty: There is absolutely no way I could ever get tired of doing this. I have the best job in the world because I get to entertain the absolute best crowds in the rodeo world.
IRM: What do you think your greatest achievement has been as a rodeo entertainer?
Shorty: That's simple - It hasn't happened yet.
IRM: Do you look at this as a hobby or a profession at this point?
Shorty: If I answered one or the other I'd be lying. The truth is that this is neither - It's my life.
IRM: Are you happy with where you are in the rodeo world right now?
Shorty: Yes - anytime I get to see any of the boys ride it's a gift to me. I'm in a very good place that way.
IRM: Being that you got your start in Bull riding and have now spent many years inside the arena in one capacity or other can we get a list of injuries off the top of your head?
Shorty: Later
IMR: Later?
Shorty: Later - I'm not done with my injuries yet.
IRM: What do you think your strengths are as an entertainer?
Shorty: Well.....I'm a good dresser.
IRM: What the most difficult thing about entertaining for you?
Shorty: That's easy. Having to perform when 1 of my friends has been hurt. It happens all the time. Every one of these kids is "my kid" and when that happens my job is to entertain the crowd. It's the hardest thing that I have to do as part of my job - telling jokes while they receive medical attention. I always take this home with me and it takes something out of me each time I have to do it. I've always had trouble reconciling this and I hope I never do.
IRM: Any personal heroes or role models?
Shorty: Super Dave Osborne. How can you not love Super Dave?
PUT A LITTLE BACK IN
By Shorty Leggs
Inside Rodeo Magazine Article - 2007
I just wanted to take a second to say that I feel very lucky to get to do what I do. Whether it is clowning around with the Dodge Rodeo Tour as "Shorty Leggs" or just pulling a rope around a 2000 pound horned athlete. I have always believed that it is everyone's responsibility to help the younger cowboys and cowgirls.
We have had some amazing rodeo contestants come up the Ontario ladder in the last few years. I can't help but smile and stand a little taller when I hear that one of our kids has stepped up at a National Event and given the rest of the country notice that "Ontario is a growing force in the rodeo world". Actually, I have always told anyone that I have helped that their turn is coming and they won't be a complete cowboy or cowgirl until they help a new "Up and Comer"!
I think that the kids we raise in our environment are making us proud. I have seen our top young Bull Riders at intermission in the chutes with the Mutton Busters giving it their all.
They hadn't been asked to do so and they all had big smiles on there faces even though they all still had there own stock to still compete on. The same guys also help out at the finals with the burn camp kids or they spend hour's just signing autographs for other young fans.
I hope this trend will never end. It is my belief that this is part of what makes Ontario Rodeo Competitors what they are.
Thanks
Shorty Leggs
By Shorty Leggs
Inside Rodeo Magazine Article - 2007
I just wanted to take a second to say that I feel very lucky to get to do what I do. Whether it is clowning around with the Dodge Rodeo Tour as "Shorty Leggs" or just pulling a rope around a 2000 pound horned athlete. I have always believed that it is everyone's responsibility to help the younger cowboys and cowgirls.
We have had some amazing rodeo contestants come up the Ontario ladder in the last few years. I can't help but smile and stand a little taller when I hear that one of our kids has stepped up at a National Event and given the rest of the country notice that "Ontario is a growing force in the rodeo world". Actually, I have always told anyone that I have helped that their turn is coming and they won't be a complete cowboy or cowgirl until they help a new "Up and Comer"!
I think that the kids we raise in our environment are making us proud. I have seen our top young Bull Riders at intermission in the chutes with the Mutton Busters giving it their all.
They hadn't been asked to do so and they all had big smiles on there faces even though they all still had there own stock to still compete on. The same guys also help out at the finals with the burn camp kids or they spend hour's just signing autographs for other young fans.
I hope this trend will never end. It is my belief that this is part of what makes Ontario Rodeo Competitors what they are.
Thanks
Shorty Leggs
SHORTY HAS HIS SHARE OF HANG UPS!
Inside Rodeo Magazine Article - 2008 Edition
Hey, we've all got them and Shorty is no exception. But the kind of hang up our little clown deals with is starkly different than what might drive you or I nuts. After a 2 ½ hour performance in the midsummer's heat and signing autographs for a legion of fans young and old, Shorty makes his way back to his trailer and pours ice cold water over his head. Make up begins to run down his face and he settles back on the couch taking a deep breath. IRM is there to get a story and although he looks a little worse for ware, Shorty is all too happy to speak about a rough day in the arena. Today, we had a nasty hang up and although nobody was injured things could have been a lot worse.
IRM: Shorty, What happened out there today?
S Leggs: Well, that was a hang up and when that happens everything else stops while everyone holds their breath. The fans, the cowboys, the contractors, the promoter and everyone else watches and hopes for the best when the Bullfighters and myself go into action - FAST. It's the moment when a Bull Rider gets thrown off in the direction away from his riding hand. When that happens, his hand gets bound up in the rope and that's when the chaos begins.
IRM: Is a situation like that caused by inexperience?
S Leggs: Realistically, it can happen to anybody - even the best, but young riders do tend to get the worst of it. A lot of the time the simply don't ask about it. They concentrate on riding and dismounting which is the way it should be. Then when it happens they are forced to simply fumble their way through it unless somebody takes the time to talk with them about what to do when things go bad.
IRM: So what should be done when chaos like that occurs and who should be doing it?
S Leggs: The way I see it is that there are two partners in the dance, so to speak and if each person does what they are supposed to then the outcome is usually better. The 1st person being the actual Bull Rider and the 2nd person being the Bull Fighter.
IRM: What should a Bull Rider be doing?
S Leggs: Get that riding hand flat open for starters! In most cases the rider has been concentrating on keeping closed while they hang on for the 8 seconds and that's generally the start of a hang up. Next, he should pull that hand attached to his arm out of there if at all possible. Even if this fails, the attempt should get the Bull Rider in a position that is closer to the Bull itself. The third thing would be to get to your feet and actually the pulling of the hand generally seems to help this process along. Once free you can then get the tail of your wrap free by pulling it away from you.
IRM: How about the Bull Fighter?
S Leggs: When the hang up starts a Bull Fighter will move immediately to get that bull's attention. From there his goal is simple. If he's spinning the Bull Fighter should try to lead him off into a straight line lessoning the chance of stomping the rider and hopefully allowing him the opportunity to get free. A number of very good bullfighters can jump right in there and get the tail of that wrap ad get right back out. So, when working with two bullfighters you'd have one working on straightening out the bull while the other positions himself on the opposite side of the rider giving him a chance to grab that rope.
IRM: Any final thoughts or words of advice?
S Leggs: The most dangerous thing about hang ups is that they don't happen on a regular basis. No matter how good the Bullfighters are a cowboy should always learn to manage his own Hang Ups. They'll live longer!
Inside Rodeo Magazine Article - 2008 Edition
Hey, we've all got them and Shorty is no exception. But the kind of hang up our little clown deals with is starkly different than what might drive you or I nuts. After a 2 ½ hour performance in the midsummer's heat and signing autographs for a legion of fans young and old, Shorty makes his way back to his trailer and pours ice cold water over his head. Make up begins to run down his face and he settles back on the couch taking a deep breath. IRM is there to get a story and although he looks a little worse for ware, Shorty is all too happy to speak about a rough day in the arena. Today, we had a nasty hang up and although nobody was injured things could have been a lot worse.
IRM: Shorty, What happened out there today?
S Leggs: Well, that was a hang up and when that happens everything else stops while everyone holds their breath. The fans, the cowboys, the contractors, the promoter and everyone else watches and hopes for the best when the Bullfighters and myself go into action - FAST. It's the moment when a Bull Rider gets thrown off in the direction away from his riding hand. When that happens, his hand gets bound up in the rope and that's when the chaos begins.
IRM: Is a situation like that caused by inexperience?
S Leggs: Realistically, it can happen to anybody - even the best, but young riders do tend to get the worst of it. A lot of the time the simply don't ask about it. They concentrate on riding and dismounting which is the way it should be. Then when it happens they are forced to simply fumble their way through it unless somebody takes the time to talk with them about what to do when things go bad.
IRM: So what should be done when chaos like that occurs and who should be doing it?
S Leggs: The way I see it is that there are two partners in the dance, so to speak and if each person does what they are supposed to then the outcome is usually better. The 1st person being the actual Bull Rider and the 2nd person being the Bull Fighter.
IRM: What should a Bull Rider be doing?
S Leggs: Get that riding hand flat open for starters! In most cases the rider has been concentrating on keeping closed while they hang on for the 8 seconds and that's generally the start of a hang up. Next, he should pull that hand attached to his arm out of there if at all possible. Even if this fails, the attempt should get the Bull Rider in a position that is closer to the Bull itself. The third thing would be to get to your feet and actually the pulling of the hand generally seems to help this process along. Once free you can then get the tail of your wrap free by pulling it away from you.
IRM: How about the Bull Fighter?
S Leggs: When the hang up starts a Bull Fighter will move immediately to get that bull's attention. From there his goal is simple. If he's spinning the Bull Fighter should try to lead him off into a straight line lessoning the chance of stomping the rider and hopefully allowing him the opportunity to get free. A number of very good bullfighters can jump right in there and get the tail of that wrap ad get right back out. So, when working with two bullfighters you'd have one working on straightening out the bull while the other positions himself on the opposite side of the rider giving him a chance to grab that rope.
IRM: Any final thoughts or words of advice?
S Leggs: The most dangerous thing about hang ups is that they don't happen on a regular basis. No matter how good the Bullfighters are a cowboy should always learn to manage his own Hang Ups. They'll live longer!
DID YOU KNOW?
Dickies Workwear Canada produces Shorty Leggs trading cards each year. If you come and see him at a live event he'll be more than happy to give you an autograph!
Dickies Workwear Canada produces Shorty Leggs trading cards each year. If you come and see him at a live event he'll be more than happy to give you an autograph!
SHORTY'S
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