The main job of the clowns is to protect the cowboys from the bulls. There are three different categories of clowns: bullfighter, barrel man, and clown but they all try to distract the bull long enough to allow the rider to escape from the arena without injury. Distracting the bull from his main target, the cowboy, is no easy job. Bulls are quite fast and agile and their surprising, sudden moves are very dangerous. The "bullfighter" acts the part of the matador but has no equipment other than his wits. Entertainers, animal trainers, bull fighters and public relations men and always a favorite with the kids, it is the clown's job to keep the audience amused during the rodeo. The bullfighter also can "turn" bulls back and make them spin, hich makes them harder to ride, allowing the cowboy to score higher.

Cody Nite Rodeo and Cody Stampede Program 1996, page 13