Even a casual glance into a rodeo arena where an angry 1,600 pound animal with horns is trying to stomp the guy that he just threw off his back should scream “stay out” rather loudly.

But not the bull fighters.

They aren’t running away from the bull, they’re running toward it, usually waving their arms or hat and yelling at the animal — anything to distract it from the tossed rider and to keep it from doing what it wants to do.

Josh Hernandez, of Capitan, New Mexico, was doing just that over the Labor Day weekend during the 85th Dayton Championship Rodeo.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Rodeo Bull Fighter Josh Hernandez, of Capitan, New Mexico, carries a junior bull rider out of the arena Sunday night at the 85th Dayton Championship Rodeo. The junior bull rider was thrown from the bull.

He’s a professional bull fighter.

“It’s my job to put my life and health in the way,” he said. “We hope it comes for us.”

Hernandez grew up on a ranch and learned the fine art of distracting large angry animals there.

“I was good enough to make a career out of it.” he said.

That career does come with a price.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Rodeo Clown Gizmo McCraken uses a plunger on his "patient" during his doctor skit Sunday night at the 85th Dayton Championship Rodeo.

“I’m currently on a broken foot and a broken tibia.” he said.

It’s probably easier for him to list the bones he hasn’t broken.

“It’s a rough job,” he said.

Micheal Early, of Auzvasse, Missouri, was in the arena with Hernandez over the weekend.

“I’m like a body guard,” he said. “We provide ourselves as a target.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Professional Rodeo Bull Fighter Micheal Early, of Auzvasse, Missouri, is not only great at keeping the bull away from the rider, but he's also a gentleman who will pick up a lady's fallen hat during the opening of the 85th Dayton Championship Rodeo Sunday night.

He’s been at it for 13 years so far. They both plan on going as long as they can.

“As long as I stay healthy, your body is your temple so it will take care of you.” Early said.

“I’m going as long as my body allows.” Hernandez said.

Injuries, even serious ones, are just part of the job.

“I fought nine bulls one night, then I broke my neck.” Early said. “I thought I had dislocated my shoulder.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Professional Rodeo Bull Riders Micheal Early, of Auzvasse, Missouri, at left, along with Josh Hernandez, of Capitan, New Mexico, work on keeping one of the bulls distracted and away from the rider Sunday night during the 85th Dayton Championship Rodeo.

Gizmo McCracken started his own rodeo career as a bull fighter, too. He’s now a full-time rodeo clown and also helps out with the bull fighting as the “Barrel Man,” which is just what it sounds like. He uses a padded barrel to do a bit of what Early and Hernandez do.

“Those guys do all the dangerous stuff,” McCraken joked. “I do all the stupid stuff.”

He also needs a sense of humor. He spends much of the time in the arena making jokes with the ring announcer and then does a skit during a lull in the action.

He said that you not only have to get in good physical shape to do his job, you also have to have a knack for comedy.

“It’s like writing a song.” McCracken said. “A lot of people can sing a Merle Haggard song; not everyone can write a Merle Haggard song. Comedy isn’t easy to teach.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Rodeo Clown Gizmo McCracken entertains the crowd at the 85th Dayton Championship Rodeo Sunday night in one of several outfits he'll use during the evening.

All three, the fighters and the clown, share another trait very common to rodeo — they all have a strong faith. Crosses are often part of the makeup they wear and can be commonly seen tooled into saddles and other gear.

“I don’t do it myself without going to my Lord.” Hernandez said. “We pray together.”

“We pray before the event,” Early added. “We ask God to just be with everybody and keep us safe. It’s not if, it’s when, and how bad someone gets hurt. There’s a higher power keeping everybody safe.”

The rodeo is also a family. Most of the performers and participants spend months on the road. The time since seeing loved ones can sometimes be given in months.

“We have each other’s back,” McCracken said. “It’s family.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Rodeo Clown Gizmo McCracken dons yet another outfit, this one to help out with the Mutton Bustin' event at the 85th Dayton Championship Rodeo.