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PRCA rodeo clown happy to return to Sikeston event
SIKESTON — The 71st annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is underway, and Sikeston’s favorite Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo clown sensation, Justin Rumford, is enjoying this year’s event.
Rumford is from Ponca City, Oklahoma, and said he started rodeoing at the age of 6 and has never looked back. Rumford is a third-generation rodeo cowboy and one of the PRCA’s top barrelmen.
Rumford said he competed successfully at the college and professional levels before becoming a rodeo clown.
“I was a contestant for high school rodeo, junior rodeo, and then I went to college on a full rodeo scholarship, and I graduated from North Western Oklahoma State,” Rumford said.
Rumford competed in college rodeo in the Central Plains Region, reaching the college finals in both saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling before moving on to pro rodeo, where he reached the Prairie Circuit Finals in steer wrestling many times.
Rumford said after college, his plan was to be a professional steer wrestler, but at 23, after breaking his leg, he was offered a job as an assistant rodeo coach in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and that they would pay for him to acquire his master’s degree.
Rumford said while working and pursuing his master’s degree, he also began working for a stock contractor.
His clown career took off rapidly after a clown was unable to make it at the last minute in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, and Rumford detailed his first rodeo clown performance.
“We were at this bull riding event, and the guy that was supposed to be there, his dad was having some health issues, so he left, and everyone was like, “Can you please try this?’” said Rumford. “So I did it, and it was awesome, and it paid great.”
Rumford said after his first rodeo clown performance, that was when he decided to change careers, and he has since been a rodeo clown for 12 years.
Rumford said this is his fourth year at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, and he enjoys it every year.
“I like Sikeston because it’s a big rodeo with a small-town feel,” Rumford said. “I think each rodeo is special in its own way because each rodeo has its own energy, but I like the Sikeston energy; it’s just unbelievable."
Rumford continued: “These are rodeo fans; they know what to watch, but they’re also here to party and have a good time, and that’s what I like about this rodeo so much. It’s fun, and there’s something for everybody.”
According to Rumford, as far as injuries go, he hasn’t had any major injuries since being a rodeo clown.
“A lot of people talk about injuries in rodeo, and there are injuries, but it’s not quite as crazy as you would think,” Rumford said. “The thing about it is that it’s a small price; I would rather do this and risk being injured than spend my whole life sitting in an office.”
Rumford said he enjoys his job, the benefits and drawbacks of it. It begins in January and finishes in November each year. He said he enjoys it, but it can be challenging at times.
“The hardest part is always being on your A game,” Rumford said. “As a rodeo clown, you’re supposed to be upbeat, but there are some days you’re ready to be home and you just need a few hours to chill out.”
Rumford then went on to explain what makes his profession so special and why he enjoys it so much.
“One thing I love about my job is that it gives me freedom to travel,” Rumford said. “I do all of my booking, and we work for ourselves. I can do rodeo as much as I want, and I enjoy it.”