Thursday, November 29, 2007

Rudy Rudynoff #1 (From Joey Ratliff)


Rudynoff2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Good evening Buckles,

Had a fun time this weekend. Royal Hanneford was in
town for the annual Jerusalem Shrine Circus. Visited
with Randy Peterson and his "girls" after the Friday
night performance. I first met him some years back in
Baraboo and he is still just as hospitable as ever. On
Sunday after all shows were done at the zoo, myself
and former Frisco elephant man "Apache" Carl Perry
went back to the lot to see Randy and met Swiss
elephant man Vincent Manero and the C.F.A.'s Louisiana
chairman Matt Bourque. They visited with me at the zoo
the following day. Very good folks and I look forward
to knowing them better.

Here are a couple of Rudy Rudynoff photos. The first
is a Charles H. Fink photo. The signature reads: To
"Curly", to a very nice fellow. Sincerly Rudy Rudynoff
19?4. There is a tear over the year. Is this
"Mary"(#8), the horse that did the blindfold portion
of his act?
For sometime now I have been searching for a copy of
the Rudynoff book, Hoofers on the Sawdust Stage. If
anyone knows where I can buy one please let me know.
Thanks

Joey

Posted by Buckles at 11/29/2007 06:23:00 AM

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was delighted to see the series on Rudy Rudynoff. Certainly he will be remembered in circus history as one of our all timr great trainer and flambouant presenter of liberty horses and related equestrian feats. plus with his family the class of the High School with their "Rudynoff Ballarina Dancing Horses". Obviously when you have "special Paper" by the GSOE puts you in a special class and would imply that you are one of the best of the best. From success in Europe as especially great bareback riders and then to AMC John Robinson, H-W and Ringling with excellence in both fields of bareback and High School Liberty. Mrs. Rudynoff sustained a serious fall from a bareback horse and injury that caused the total amputation of one of her legs. However with skill and determination it never stopped her from performing and she rode high school into her late years with the public never knowing of her handicap. Rudy would go on to training a great twelve horse act for rodeo producer Joe Greer that would be a big hit on the shrine circuses presented by his helper, cowboy Bill Bushbom. From there the high school act would round out their careers presented by Rudy, his wife Erna and Rudy Jr. and with addition of wife Beverly.I have this wonderful fascinating book-manuscript and it is a must read by fans, historians in the intimate details of circus during those times. Detailed the Triumphs and Tradgedies of this marvelous circus families. It is titled "Hoofers", "dancing on a sawdust stage". I note my copy is limited edition , however the authors are;
Clark and Kathryn Beurlen
Circus Day Productions
5162 Orchard Green
Columbia, Md. 21045-1930
Or call,Rudy or Bev Rudynoff Gebhart at 727-772-6387 about its availability.

29 November, 2007 11:26
Anonymous said...

Thanks for the book info. Though I have never seen any of his acts in person, I must say that the energy and excitement nearlly jumps of the page of every photo I have of him. Thanks.

29 November, 2007 13:03
Buckles said...

Joey

The book about the Rudynoff family can be purchased by contacting Clark Beurlen at circusday@earthlink.net He and his wife Kathy co-authored the book.

Pete Adams

30 November, 2007 11:18

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