| This is quite possibly the most spectacular trick ever to be performed in a wild animal act. Trainied by Josip Marcan and presented by Khris Allen. A full leap over the (standing) trainers head from the ground back to the ground...no props. This was taken on Beatty-Cole in 1996, and remained in the act for several seasons. Tiger's name was Tara. If anyone has anything to top this, please send the photo on in to the blog site. Although I have to admit, that hind leg leaping tiger in Wade's act is certainly a great trick also. But Josip has bought me multiple dinners, and Wade has only come through with one rum coke. So you know where my vote goes!...Jimmy Cole |
Monday, February 25, 2008
Khris Allen 1996
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16 comments:
One of these days I'll learn to clean the dust off the photos before I scan them.
Wow,
I just brought this trick up in a different post. I didn't realize this pic had been run. This is a very spectacular for sure, as was Wade's courbette (hind leg leap over over cats) It would be hard to say which is the best trick, they are both quite amazing.
Wade,
If you promise to buy me a dinner, I will try to convince them it's the courbette, throw in fifty bucks, and I will point out what makes your accomplishment most spectacular.
Casey,
The dinner is your's. I'll keep the 50.00 myself. A great three tiger behavior is more difficult then a great one tiger behavior. I can say behavior. Col. isn't here yet.
Wade Burck
Wade,
I wasn't gonna mention the three cats as opposed to single cat behavior. I was gonna point out the fact that some are lucky (myself included) or have a kind of advantage in that if an animal isn't rite, we can choose to not use it. You can send the cashiers check here, but hurry, I leave for Tulsa day after tomorrow, and I could use the money for diesel.
Wade, As you have bought me many dinners over the years I am inclined to vote in your direction. BUT ! As I have only seen your best trick on video and I did get to see the above photed behavior in person, I'd have to say that, that puts me on the fence. But upon hearing your case (the 3 tiger defense) I would probably have to sway in your direction. with the added note that both of these tricks are some of the best things I've ever seen done
with tigers !
Now the next question is : does anyone have a good photo of Wade performing his great feat ? As the rest of the bloggers deserve to see Mr. Burke's ability.
As many bloggers will attest, some of Wade's comments and critiques are hard to get behind, but we should all be able to agree that your ability inside the cage is without a doubt historical and inspiring.
I should also mention that the photographer of the Chris Allen shot should be patted on the back for a job well done !
P.S.: I should also mention that before I had the opportunity to get into the great cage as a presenter, I had the honor to groom for Wade Burke when he presented a tiger group for the Hawthorn Corp.
I also had the opportunity to groom for the great Josip Marcan, when he was putting the finishing touches on the training of his own group of 14 male lions in a P ark in Puerto Rico.
So I have a personal pride in both of these great trainers accomplishments.
Gentlemen; it has been an honor !
Jimmy Cole,
I respect your honesty. Now that you have reveled how the Best O The Best Wingding of all Time is chosen, I have an extra 50.00 and would love to take you to dinner. I don't have any Tammy Wallenda tapes, but I'll throw in a couple of vintage Susan Lacey's, and a Dan Amecie Ring's around the world. I want to keep my Marcan's though. I'll even audeygraff your copy of Evansville Mishaps 2006.
Wade Burck
Casey,
Actually it has been easier then you may think. I am usually given a list of instruction's like this:
I want tiger's #56,29,14, and 96 to do roll over's, fire jump's, waltzes, and hind leg walks. I want tiger's # 23 and 88 to do a leap frog and shoulder stands. I have to insist that tiger # 16 is the one that does the backflip and the kiss. I know you think # 42 is better, but she is gold, and I want a white one to do it.
See what you can do with that mean one that was left here. He should work out alright for you. You might even be able to sit on him eventually.
Piece of cake actually, Casey.
Great way to learn what your limitation's are.
Wade Burck
Wade, Thanks for the offer. Dinner would have to include Tammy...$50.! What, are you taking us to McDonalds? Why the bar bill alone...
Jimmy Cole
PS If the Sue Lacey Tapes are from Migley 1995, I probably filmed them.
In reflection of the Burck act,
The courbette isn't even my favortie trick. Although probably the hardest to train. The trick that "did it" for me, was the piece of business where two cats walk backwards on hind legs side by side, then split apart as another cat sitting up behind them stands, and hops forward between them. The set up of this trick was much smoother the day I caught the act, then the set up of the courbette. I will throw in that it was at the barn, and time was of no concern.
LAD,
Thank you. That is special coming from a talented person, who was in the middle of probably one of the nicest lion act's America has seen in recent history. Thank's for not asking how many lion's I have worked with, and making me reveal that I am a little "flinchy" of them.
The only still photo's I am aware of were taken by a wonderful women I was dating, named Dianna Dalenburg. Like the leap over you mentioned it was almost impossible to capture it at the right time. Just as a hind leg walk is lost on still photography. Dianna was the only photographer who focused on my tight black leather covered rear, and she captured it remarkably(the behavior.) I may have copies at home, or I will see if John still has the one's she gave him. Did you want to buy a copy? You know I am kidding, my friend. That's nice you mentioned us first working together. They say the skill in a great teacher, is when the student's surpass them. WHOA!!! Relax, I'm not giving you that one.
My door is alway's open, and I will look forward to our next sitdown.
With respect and admiration,
Wade Burck
Wade, Let's scratch the dinner with Tammy idea for now. I just called her mom, she's stranded at a truck stop in Texas somewhere (enrote to California) with a show truck that lost a wheel. I think she is pretty much out of the tiger buisness for now. But she can sure make a mean snow-cone!
Jimmy Cole
This trick with Buckles or me would be even more impressive because of our height. Happy Birthday Buckles!
Buckles,
It might be too early to get to excited, but have you noticed that in these past couple of day's we have had a great discussion on an often heated topic from many people. And we have learned so much. We had fun, we took shot's at each other, we passionatly stated our opinon's and debated them. AND NOT ONE CHEAP SHOT OR PERSONAL ATTACK OR ACCUSATION'S OF JEALOUSY. I may be wrong, but I did not note many anonymous's or cute name's. If you look closely you will see some other factor's missing, but I'll leave that for other's. It was as if each participant felt qualified, and truely interested with no agenda's, and honored to be at the table. I know I am, and I thank Buckles, and each and every one of you. This is what,it truly doesn't get better then.
Wade Burck
I would enjoy seeing the Corbette routian over the tigers. I liked the Clubb lion act with the "over the garden wall" routine and note that Jorge Pages has included it in his daughters tiger act. Very well done and quite an accomplishment.
An honest question: What is the reason that such spectacular tricks are done with tigers and not with lions. Are tigers more intellegent than lions? Is it a matter of more athletic build, like a poodle/ vs a pug? or is it temperament?
Personally, I think full grown male lions are as spectacular as any animal regardless of what tricks they do, but so few modern trainers use them. Wondering how come?
HM
There just aren't that many male lion acts anymore. There are numerous reasons,1 mainreason in my book is breeding,when the Chipperfields brought the drive through safari park concept to America,lion breeding went down the tubes. second Lions are social animals vs. tigers being naturaly solitary animals. this has a great effect on their attitudes and habits in life. Lions grow up fighting for position in their social group, both as punks and then later in bachelor groups. They seem to truly enjoy fighting and losing has little meaning to it. A limping lion that can make it to the group feed can survive. The tiger on the other hand is solitary basically from the time of puberty. Even small injuries can effect their ability to hunt, thus meaning death by starvation. Consequently, I believe, tigers are not as willing to quarrel over insignificant insults to their social rules.As a seperate specie we make many social errors,in their world. Tigers seem to be more studious and manipulative of their environment (heirarchy)knowing this is very useful in manipulating the learning processes.They seem to me to be more thoughtful, being less willing to be argumentative,just for arguments sake.
Male lions seem to have more testicle to testicle conversations, so it helps to have a pair so as not to get left out of the conversation.
So where male lions like to fight more often, tigers are more treacherous when they do decide to fight.
But basically when it comes down to most folks, when asked which is more dangerous, I usually reply " do want to get run over by a truck or a bus ?"
LAD,
Since 1974 when I first met Lou Regan's 7 tiger's, I have asked most of our contemporaries the same question. The most frequent answer, "that's what Charley and Gunther had when this thing of our's exploded". I think it is as simple as that. Kinda like the beer that made Milwaukee famous. When I am asked, "what is the difference between a lion and a tiger", I respond with,"the same difference between driving a pickup and a Ferrari".
When I "paper the side of a barn with Gunther", I get ribbed a lot. Are you sure, they fainted at the sight of Beatty working, or was it just real hot in the tent that day? If not, I had a couple of those deal's happen when I was on Vargas in 81.
Best,
Wade Burck
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