Bullfighters

"Modern rodeos have seen a shift in the duties of the rodeo clown, focusing more on entertainment value rather than the double duty of providing safety and assistance to the riders. These duties have now been taken up by rodeo bullfighters, a title preferred by the PBR."

"Rodeo bullfighters are exposed to the dangers of the bull from the moment it leaves the chute, until it exits the arena. Their job is to get in close to the bull and distract it from the dismounted bullrider and any one else in the arena, as well as to release the bullrider's rig, if need be, and rescue any "hung-up" riders."

Wikipedia

Captain Jeremy Sparks

Cheyenne, Wyoming. Born: May 31, 1977 in Helena, Arkansas.

Family: wife, Jamie; son, Jas..

College: University of Central Arkansas (Conway), University of Arkansas (Monticello), bachelor's degree in communications.

Other Occupation: Captain in the U.S. Air Force.

Special Interests: sports, snowboarding, hunting.

Style of Dress: blue-flamed Air Force/Wrangler jersey, cowboy hat, black socks.

PRCA Membership: 2000

Achievements: Seven times Cheyenne Frontier Days bullfighter; Four times College National Finals Rodeo; Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo; First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo; Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (Alt); Cheongdo International Bullfight Festival(South Korea); Three times Military World Finals Bullfighter.

Web Site: www.jeremysparks.com

Darrell Diefenbach

Azle, Texas. Born: March 7, 1974 in Gympie, Queensland, Australia.

College: Maryborough T.A.F.E. (Australia)

Other Occupation: construction.

Special Interests: working out, raising cattle.

Style of Dress: red shirt, red and blue bandannas, black hat, red and blue makeup.

Specialty Acts: backwards bull riding.

PRCA Membership: 1998

Achievements: DNCFR bullfighter, 2001-02; Pace Picante ProRodeo Chute-out (Las Vegas) specialty act, 2001, bullfighter, 2002, 2004; Pace Picante ProRodeo Classic (Dallas) bullfighter, 2003-05; California Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfighter, 2000-01; Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfighter, 2001; National Rodeo Association of Australia Bullfighter of the Year, 1997; Australian world champion bullfighter, 1996-97; Houston, 2005-06; fort Worth (Texas), 2005-06; Calgary Stampede, 2004-06.

Mike Matt

Arlington, Arizona, Born: August 11, 1972 in Missoula, Montana.

College: Dickinson (N.D.) State University, Western Montana College (Dillon), bachelor's degree in biology and physical education.

Style of Dress: black taped shoes, baggies, straw hat, white makeup.

PRCA Membership: 1994

Achievements: Cheyenne Frontier Days, 2004-06; PRCA Bullfighter of the Year nominee, 2005-06; PRCA Specialty Act (dres) of the Year nominee, 2005; Wrangler NFR opening, specialty act, 2004; Wrangler world champion bullfighter, 1996-97, 2000; Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals, 1995-98, 2000; Copenhagen Cup Finale (Las Vegas) bullfighter, 2000; DNCFR bullfighter 1996; Canadian National Fianls bullfighter, 1996; Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfight qualifier; Indian National Finals bullfighter, 1994-95; George Strait/Wrangler commercial, 1995; Mountain States Circuit Finals bullfighter, 1995; All Frontier Conference defensive back, 1992-93.