Clowning around: Dalton Morris captures crowd at Gold Country Pro Rodeo

Dalton Morris has always been around the rodeo business. Growing up in Missouri, his father was a bull rider and trick rider and his grandfather was a trick rider, but Morris didn't want to be a traditional cowboy. He was always enamored with the rodeo entertainment and decided at a young age he wanted to be a rodeo clown. "I didn't want to be a bull rider or ride bucking horses or rope or anything like that. My family started a rodeo back home in Missouri, and I just put makeup on one day, started following another rodeo clown around," said Morris. "That was when I was 3. I'm 30 now, so I think I can do this for the rest of my life and I enjoy the heck out of it." Morris was the entertainment at the Gold Country Pro Rodeo over the weekend, and he captured the attention of the crowd during his three-day stay in Auburn. It was his first time at the Gold Country Pro Rodeo and he was impressed with what Auburn had to offer. "When you think about rodeo, you don't necessarily think about California, but the Flying U Rodeo has made California a rodeo state," said Morris. "The people in the crowd have been great. That's why I come and because whenever I come to California, I know it's going to be a good production and a great crowd." Morris grew up watching local rodeo clowns in his region and drew inspiration from them. He said he was most infatuated with one clown in particular, Gizmo McCracken. "I feel like when I watched him, I was watching a cartoon, and that's why I really liked him," Morris said, adding he's inspired by Will Ferrell for some of his jokes. Being a rodeo clown isn't all fun and games and joking around. Morris says there is plenty of work that has to be done before the performance, and he has to be sure he's on time and helping keep the rodeo moving on schedule. Morris also says he has to do homework on each town he's in so he can relate to the local crowds. He said he often finds himself reading the local newspaper to stay up with current events around the region so if he wants to make a joke he can connect with the crowd. "Sometimes, I get the local newspaper and just check out what's going on around town," said Morris. "When I am in California, I'm gonna start talking about sports because everybody loves their teams out here. I'm gonna watch stand-up comedians and performers so that I can work on my timing and my jokes." While much of Morris' act is based on the schedule and timing of things, there is also plenty of improvisation. He says when riders are hurt or there is an issue with an uncooperative animal, he has to find a way to fill time and distract the crowd so the workers can do what they need to. "We're working with wild animals, so you never know what could happen. A bull could lean on a guy's leg or a horse doesn't want to leave the arena," said Morris. "Well, that's my time to go up in the crowd and play with the people that are dancing, steal the popcorn from the old lady, random things like that. That's when the improv comes out." Morris found himself doing the improv no rodeo clown wants Friday night when he was staring down an angry bull in his barrel. The bull charged at Morris, who had to retreat into his padded barrel. He was all right, but he received an unwanted ride from his bovine partner in the arena. Despite the temporary dangers, Morris says he loves what he does and wouldn't change anything. He also said he encourages the next generation of rodeo clowns to follow their dreams and pursue it if it's what they want to do. Said Morris, "If someone wants to be a rodeo clown starting at a young age, go to some youth rodeos or go to some local rodeos around here to get their feet wet and just keep at it until you get a shot."