IT'S NO BULL: TEENAGER WANTS TO BE CLOWN BULL FIGHTER ON RODEO CIRCUIT

For three days last month, a Cape Girardeau high school student ran with the bulls.

Richie Couch, 17, attended the Coyote Hill Arena Rodeo School of Champions in Hastings, Okla., Sept. 27-29.

He learned basic skills needed to become a rodeo clown and rodeo bull fighter.

"I've always wanted to do this," said Couch, whose parents are Richard and Shirley Couch of Cape Girardeau.

"I was raised down in Sikeston and watched the rodeo since I was born. The rodeo clowns, those were the guys I always admired," he said.

Last year, at the Sikeston rodeo, Couch talked with bull fighters about attending a rodeo school.

"They told me about Rex Dunn, who happens to be a three-time national finals rodeo bull fighter."

Dunn operates the school Couch attended.

"I decided that is what I wanted to do. My dad's always been supportive of me, and I really wanted to do this," Couch said. "I had done no bull fighting at all before this. I had just pretty much watched rodeos.

"Most of the time, the bull fighter is the rodeo clown," Couch said. "The main thing you do is protect the cowboy riding the bull."

But the rodeo clowns also compete in an event called bull fighting. They are judged on how they manipulate the bull in the ring.

"The rodeo clowns also provide entertainment for the rodeo spectators," he said.

Participants in the course ranged in age from 16 to 24. Couch said one of his classmates is ranked fifth in the nation right now in bull fighting. "He was in sharpening his skills. Rex Dunn has a lot of experience, 20 years."

Rodeo teacher Dunn taught more than just rodeo techniques, Couch said.

"He taught a lot about the rodeo moves with the bull, but the main point was your mind and your mental attitude."

He said the class taught him a lot about concentration and positive thinking. "Now that I've learned it, I use it in every-day things.

"He (Dunn) said that 70 percent of bull fighting is building up your mind. Once you get out there in the ring, you have to have your mind right.

"I figured when I got out there the first time, I would freeze up," Couch said.

"But once I was out there and my mind was right, I did just what I was supposed to do."

Couch admits it's a dangerous sport.

"You can't make one mistake. If you don't read the bull right, there is a lot of danger.

"That first time I was scared. But you're always scared before you get in the ring. That bull looks really big.

"But there is no other feeling like accomplishing something you've always wanted to do, and you did it right."

Couch said he hopes to pursue his rodeo career in college.

"There are colleges in Oklahoma and Texas that offer rodeo as a sport like football or baseball," he said. "I'm hoping to get into college at one of those schools and participate in bull fighting.

"I'm hoping to do a little more now that I have some experience."

He is hoping to compete in high school and amateur rodeos this year.

"My ultimate dream would be to compete there in Sikeston," Couch said.

In college, Couch plans to major in design drafting. "A desk job," he said with a sigh, "but practical. I can handle the drafting, but not 24 hours a day. There is no excitement. With bull fighting, you never know what will happen next."