CBR Production Manager, Bull Fighter Ray Clary Wears Many Hats Submitted by John Ludlum

It would be enough for most men to be satisfied with having a job protecting bull riders when their ride(s) have been completed, either after 8 seconds or they buck off. Saving bull riders lives from arena harm is just one of the hats the multi-talented Lufkin, TX cowboy Ray Clary wears on a daily basis. As the production manager and, one of a trio of bull fighters for Championship Bull Riding (CBR), the East Texas cowboy relishes each day of what he considers an incredible opportunity. Clary will head the bull fighting team and doubles as production manager for CBR at their events. He will make his third trip to the 33^rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding May 1-2, 2010.

Clary’s job includes driving the CBR eighteen-wheeler or Dodge truck (purchased by CBR, from Ram Country Dodge, Del Rio) event to event; setting up the arena, fences and at some locations bucking chutes. He makes sure all camera pits are constructed for the television crew; ensures that the holding pens for the bulls are ready to receive their valuable cargo; orders feed for bulls and production horses; assigns his crew tasks; evaluates existing chutes and makes sure they are safe for riders and bulls alike; puts up corporate sponsorship signs; shrink wraps the arena walls for televised events and, all the while, is thinking about one, two or three events in the future. These are just a few of the details that he considers for each CBR bull riding event. The thirty-five year old cowboy bullfighter never sits still yet, keeps a calm demeanor and never finds any task too daunting for the goal oriented cowboy.

Clary has worked for CBR for six years, has been a five-time CBR finals bullfighter who has never missed an event. CBR Clary said, “Is my dream job. If I wasn’t working for CBR I’d be lost”. His theme for successful living is having FUN no matter what you do however; his life has not been without adversity.

Clary attended Tarleton State College in Stephenville, TX on a baseball scholarship but broke his wrist. “Not good when you’re a pitcher.” Life has had twists and turns for the affable Clary. His wife and, the mother if his son, was tragically killed in a car wreck”. When ask how that affected his life he simply states, “You just do what you have to do and manage your time. I had a son to raise and that has always been my number one priority”. As testimony to his dedication to his son, he coaches his son’s baseball team. Recently married to a beautiful blonde named Jori, Ray is thankful that his new wife and son Audy have really bonded. She is great with him and added, “she must be a super person to deal with me”. At the conclusion of the Tuff Hedeman Challenge in Ft. Worth March 6, Clary had the CBR eighteen-wheeler loaded in record time after the night performance concluded and, headed home to Lufkin. He arrived in the early morning Sunday hours but, coached his son and their team to a tournament championship with little sleep.

When interviewed about Ray Clary, CBR President Tuff Hedeman said, “He’s the go to guy I really count on. There is nothing that he doesn’t know about bull riding production and he can do anything. He can drive any type of equipment, fix anything around a rodeo arena, fight bulls and save riders, manage a crew and get the best out of every employee and they like him. I’ll start to tell him something that needs to be done and he finishes the sentence and tells me it’s already been done. He’s like Radar on Mash. Never stops amazing me. He heads the bullfighting crew and knows every bull and what it’s going to do”. The four-time world champion and three time George Paul Memorial Bull Riding winner added, “If I was still riding bulls I darn sure would want Ray out there (in the arena) to protect me. He’s a guy who always has your back and you can count on him, good times or bad”.

Wes Bruce, CEO of CBR says, “Ray’s organizational ability is phenomenal. In this day and time all businesses have to watch the bottom line if they want to stay in business and Ray has come in under budget at every event this year. He has a handle on every aspect of managing and moving a bull riding production and is always one jump ahead of any situation. He anticipates problems before they arise and that saves time, money and unnecessary headaches. Ray works so well with everyone, is always polite and professional and all our committees enjoy working with Ray. He has a host of friends all over the country and never meets a stranger”.

Bobby Paul, producer of the 33^rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding said, “Ray is one of those guys you’re always glad to see and has a way of making a problem seem easy to solve. He’s a guy you can really work with and takes a lot of stress out of producing an event for everyone. Like all of CBR he’s like family to us at the George Paul, is a heck of a bull fighter as well as great at everything he does”.

When asked how he would like to be remembered Ray never hesitates to give the same answer and it’s not what one might think, that he be remembered as the best bullfighter that ever lived, although he is recognized by his peers as one of the all time great protectors of bull riders. Ray simply says “I just wish and hope I can be remembered as the best Dad and husband I can be”. A drawer full of trophy buckles can’t compare to what his friends say about Ray. “When the chips are down and you need a standup guy to be with you, you can always, always count on Ray. He’s the best guy around and all kids should have a dad like Ray”. Wes and Tuff say, “All businesses should have a guy like Ray who never heard the word quit and has more try than anyone in this business.” That is the ultimate compliment from professional cowboys.

Bobby Paul, Tuff Hedeman, Ray Clary and the entire CBR organization will once again co-produce the 33^rd GPMBR recognized as the “Grand Daddy” of all stand alone bull riding.