Before heading to Rebecca Farm, I spent a few days at a 9,000 acre dude ranch with my two children, Harry and Lily, and my mother. Terance Eichhorn has worked at the Ranch for eight seasons now, but has a very interesting second career; he’s in his fourth season bull-fighting. When he first told me, I was confused and thought he was a bull-RIDER, but he’s what they used to call the rodeo clowns. In essence, Terance presents himself to the bull as a better target than the bull-rider. Obviously, this is extremely dangerous, so not only is he pretty well protected when he goes in the ring – he wears a standard vest, knee braces, knee pads, elbow guards, wrist guards and a good pair of foot ball cleats – but he also went to school to learn his trade. There are bull fighting clinics where you learn the fundamentals, the footwork, how to work with a partner, even how to submit bids to get work at rodeos and gain sponsorship, and Terance told me he would highly recommend anyone wanting to get into the game to attend.
Check out his belt buckle – bullfighters have competitions too
Terance continues to train with some of the best bullfighters in the business, and is busy working at rodeos every weekend this summer from the the beginning of June through until the middle of August. He kindly explained how and why he chose bullfighting, the risks involved and what it takes to turn pro.
Once he turns pro, Terance hopes to work the NFR rodeo, the same one he saw his father’s friend work on television so many years ago that planted the seed that grew into this passion. I’d like to thank Terance for his time, and wish him luck, and a safe go, in turning pro. I can see I’m going to have to watch 8 Seconds again when I go home! Cowboy up and Go Eventing!
