Australia’s top professional comedy clown Big Al Wilson is returning to Claudelands Arena for the International Rodeo on Saturday 24^thNovember.

Wilson was raised in Balmain Sydney and went to his first Rodeo when on holiday aged 18.  “For some unknown reason I entered the bull riding event even though I had never been around livestock.  Anyway, I got bucked off the bull that day, but I thought it was fantastic” said Wilson who went on to travel the professional Rodeo circuit and become the Rookie Bull Ride Champion in 1984.  In 1985 he won the Bull Riding title at Australia’s biggest rodeo in Mt Isa and throughout the 80’s and 90’s competed at seven National Finals as one of the top five professional bull riding champions in Australia.

But everything changed when Wilson sustained a career ending injury in the arena.  “I was hit in the head by a bull called Pretty Boy, so hard that it fractured my skull” said Wilson. “I was out of work for six months because of the injury due to some sort of brain damage and depression.  What really got me back on my feet was my passion for this industry... you couldn't keep me away.”

While the Bull fighters or protection clowns work to keep the cowboys safe, Wilson is what is called a comedy clown.  “I'm further out, I wear the face paint and let the bull chase me; my job is to get the crowd going.  You need to be mentally relaxed, it's important not to be too tight, that's when you make mistakes. Then when it comes to the crunch you have the energy and adrenalin that you need.  There's lots of skill and courage required to be a good Rodeo clown, plus you need experience with Rodeo itself - you've got to know where it fits.”

Big Al attends about 40 events a year both in Australia and overseas and he said he doesn't really notice much of a difference between the Rodeos in different countries.  “It’s bucking bulls and horses and dirt and excitement – that doesn’t change.  I’m really excited about coming back to Hamilton – it was a world class event last year and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Event organiser Fred Doherty said he was very excited that he was able to attract such talent as Big Al to Hamilton. “The event is shaping up to be hugely exciting for the city.”