T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
photo by Matt Cornelius
(L-R) Korbyn, Lainey, Tanner, Rostyn, Emma, Legend and Rylan Zarnetski
At one time, bullfighters were known simply as rodeo clowns. These were the guys who painted their faces, wore baggy clothes and suspenders and jumped in to help a dismounted rider get out of harm’s way. They also worked to entertain the crowds between the events. These days, rodeo clowns and bullfighters are two separate roles. The rodeo clown provides a bit of comic relief, but bullfighters are only there to protect the riders. While some bullfighters choose to dress athletically in jerseys with no face paint, Tanner has chosen to follow the model of traditional bullfighting attire. He is easily recognizable in his red shirt, denim baggies with black suspenders and trademark face paint. “I like the face paint and the baggies… people get to know you and recognize you.” Bullfighting is a dangerous sport that brings bullfighters face to face with a thrashing and sometimes bone-crushing beast, and Tanner has definitely had his share of bone-crushing encounters. During his career, he has broken his ribs, fingers, wrist, hip and knee. He has fractured his vertebrae, punctured lungs and tore his rotator cuff. Currently, he is preparing to undergo reconstructive surgery to repair a crushed foot. “It’s hard on your body, and it’s not something you can do for the rest of your life.” Tanner knows the day will come when he retires from this sport he loves so much. When asked what he will do when he is no longer fighting bulls, Tanner
says he would consider judging. “I will always be around the rodeo.” Tanner is married and his wife, Emma, loves the rodeo life almost as much as he does. He is also the father of five children: Rylan, Korbyn, Lainey, Rostyn and Legend. His two oldest are already following in their dad’s footsteps. At ages nine and twelve, they are junior bull riders. Tanner looks forward to watching his children pursue their love for the rodeo as well. “My kids are going to grow up seeing their dad pursue his dreams and I want them to know they can do the same thing. I don’t want them to feel that they are tied down to a day-to-day, nine-to-five job. You know, there is so much more to life than that.” Bullfighting is a sport, and while it is a contracted job that Tanner is fully compensated for, he also gets to fight competitively. In the rodeo, as in all competitive sports, there are stages of the competition. When bullfighters can demonstrate their skills at the highest levels in the rodeo circuit, there are prizes to be won. The traditional award in rodeo competition is a trophy buckle, and Tanner has 25 buckles to commemorate his time as a bullfighter. Tanner describes one of the proudest moments in his career. The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) has a competitive protection match for bullfighters. It is by invitation only, and you only get one chance to compete. “If you know rodeo and you see a buckle that has got NFR
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C OMM U N I T Y & C U L T U R E
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