Bullfighters help cowboys stay safe at the California Rodeo Salinas

There are bull riders, and then, there are bullfighters.

“A lot of people refer to us as rodeo clowns, but our job is actually there to protect the bull riders. During the bull ride, when they come off or hit a bad spot, we step in, distract the bull and lead them away,” said bullfighter Tim O’Connor.

For these guys at the California Rodeo Salinas, there is no room for clowning around.

“Sometimes, it’s to get really close in proximity. You position yourself between the bull and the cowboy. You might have to jump on one’s head or try to get his head picked up to where he is not looking at the cowboy no more and coming to you,” said O’Connor.

Because of the large number of contestants this year, O’Connor said him and his partner will face almost 30 to 40 bulls a day.

These bullfighters say it’s the love of the game that keeps them coming back. Getting hurt is just a part of it, and their safety is usually not the priority.

“That comes third in line to me. Because first is the bull rider, second is my partner, and then third is me,” said bullfighter Eric Layton.

Layton says he has been fortunate.

“I’ve torn my rotator, you know any my shoulder, knee surgeries, broken fingers, broken ribs. The scary thing in this industry is, torn ligament in the knee, its not that big of a deal, it is because you have to get surgery, but it’s long away from the heart,” said Layton.

There is something else he fears much more than injuries.

“Failure. Stuff happens: not being there, being here and still get ran over. It’s hard on a guy,” said Layton.

And he has a word of advice for inspiring bullfighters.

“You gotta find a local practice pen and get down there, and put some cleats, and go get run over. And if you get up laughing, keep going. It’s a tough way to make a living, but it’s a great way as well,” said Layton.

Bumps and bruises have not stopped this pair from running towards each bull that rushes into the arena.