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Saturday, January 20, 2007
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36 comments:
This is how its done people!!!!
Has there ever been a double pyramid in the history of the circus. This is the first I've seen.
This trick is fairly easy to train but the problem is in having the proper combination in sizes.
Once I had eight or nine elephants form an endless long mount in a circle.
I showed it to Chappie and a few more and was surprised to find that not a one recognized what they had seen.
I never could figure out where to place it anyway, so I let it go.
Thank you Mr. Woodcock for posting this photo. It's looks better than I remember. Once again I am Imprest! However, (your quote....This trick is fairly easy to train) are you hanging me out to dry here Pal?? Could it be that John Herriott is correct, and I owe him a large apology??? After reveiwing this photo again, I like Mr. Herriott have noticed that not all trunks are up! Could I have overlooked and underestimated the dificulty of the Trunk Up trick! I guess I can learn something new if I just listen more. This statement of course is from a frustrated wanna be!
To John Herriott:
What do you mean ( I am not remotely interested in when you were with Howard Suesz)? Photo 60' or 61', that's 46 years ago. My comment was, "During The Time of this Photo" (again 60' or 61') I did not state I was there on the day this photo was taken. I also might add I did not claim to have shaken Ed Sullivan's hand either. Unlike yourself, not that this means anything to you, I really do enjoy reading your comments about the shows you've been with and the people you know and have known. I have fond memories of the stories Gil Gray told me, many of which you were in. I'm sure it will be dificult for you to realize that I met Mr. Gil Gray. In answer to your comment that you personally do not care for what shows I've been on is your privilage. I do not want to upset you but I'm getting the feeling that you really don't care where I've been but are leaning toward telling me where I can go??? If this is so, please do not forget to send route slip! P.S. I am route just closed in Mi.
Jimmy, just follow the arrows!!
Pretty overwhelming photo of the double pyramid.I wasn't aware you had done it Buckles and how the hell did you get them out of it?As to the endless long mount I have always been intrigued by that. I have noticed that when we do a long mount or see one with a sizeable group of elephants that there is always one somewhere in the middle that will always stall for a few moments before going up, and in fact go up after the elephant immediately behind has already mounted, so in essence I felt this would be the key to doing it. I never had the number of elephants in the right size or number to try it and also felt it would be awesome if they then did a few steps of a walking long mount. Anybody out there ever heard of such a thing. I am pleased that you did it and sure would like to have seen it.
To Jimmy. I hope the dust has settled and we can go on to other things. However I am sure you will agree that in all animal acts that we view there is a certain correctness or call it finesse that we are aware of. Be it elephants trunked up, or a cage act where some of the cats are laying on their seats lollygogging, or a bear act where some are pulled in and out of the ring on all fours rather than briskly entering standing up. Both you and I have seen this and I recall general topic of conversation with other trainers and animal people of that fact. Its always a shame to see a photo of, say a five elephant act in a tub sit up when one of them has a paralyzed trunk and its trunk is hanging down. I recall a famous cat trainer that we all commented to each other that during his act his cats were laying all over the seats. Sure the public was not aware. Did it bother us? Not at all. Thats just the way it was.I suppose there are "trainers tricks" and generally each self respecting trainer does like a correctness in his or her efforts. We may not get it 100 per cent but its worth the effort. I have worked with you and visited where you have done your bear act and have always been impressed in regard to your obvious over all excellent presentation. Thats what this business needs and that is what it is all about.
Years ago Buckles and Smokey visited me for a few days in Baraboo in the dead of winter and we spent some of each day in the ring barn where I was adding some routines to my young elephants. Smokey showed me the excellent use of holding the elephants trunk in training. Its kind of the handle on the pot and helps telegraph movements and balance in training and has served me well. When we teaqch a tail up we like to put the trunk on our wrist on the hand that is holding the tail until we sense the grasp, or feel it. Makes sense huh? and that is why we American trainers always insist on "Trunk Up". Maybe I have enlightened some and your critical comments are encouraged. I have nothing to hide and am not trying to get booked or atraining job. Been there and done that and will still call a spade a spade.
Buckles, did the ladies back down to dismount????
Thanks for finally spelling my name right. I would agree that Hall is alot easier to spell and remember. There was a great Polish horse trainer with the name, Chesloff Markowfski,[the actual spelling was even harder] and the Ringling press Dept. even gave up and he was advertised and known as Charly Moroski. Baudindistal was High Pockets name and Frizell was Streamlines name and old bull hand Leo had the name Entwhistle. Virgil Seagraves, elephant guy ones Mills Bros. was an old Kentucky hill billy and was always known as K Y.
I had forgotten all about this trick until I came across the picture.
My first reaction was "How the Hell did they get down?".
But if you look closely, you can see there is another tub in the center from which they would dismount.
Those are really nice looking elephant tubs.
Johnny, an impressive long mount I saw, was one that our friend Axel, did with five of the young elephants he had(some had stars branded on their hips, remember). He walked them forward and then had them stop, and walk backward. He only did this out in the back parking lot, as he had shown it to the show management, and they did not care for it. Go figure. Wade Burck
Johnny, one more thing, speaking of great tricks. One of the best bear tricks I ever saw was a young Syrian bear riding a Killer Whale. Ask Jimmy Hall if he remembers who trained it? Wade Burck
How about Your wife trying to swim with the dolphins during the elephant act Wade. That was a good trick to! I remember a bear trying to ride a motorcycle on water also!
Darryl, As hard as we worked on that trick, it never became consistant. She wouldn't let go of the headpiece, always hung on too long. That, and they didn't have waterproof makeup then. Keep it from being a "powerhouse" trick.
Wade Burck
The elephant bottom, right is doing a "TINY" trunk up. Look closely.
Wade, Axel did do the forward and backward walking long mount in the show and in fact he did it with seven elephants. When we saw it at opening in Venice Arena we were all just bowled over. The did it nice and fast stepping. No lugging.
Hey Mr Burck, I recall Axel doing the foward and reverse walking long mount in the RBBB show.Also am glad Darryl remebers the motorcycle on water trick also you remebering the bear riding on the whale feat.I was going to mention it but I was afraid John Herriott was going to start chanting his version of "Show me the money/Show me the photo,Show me the photo" as I do not have a photo one of this great feat. PS: Wade please do not take credit for breaking the diving girl/ elephant feat. In your heart you know it was broke by Miss Tess. It amazes me that when Kenneth Feld would come for visits at Marineland, he never caught us at our finest hours.
Hey Jimmy,as i recall you are right about the Diving Woman trick. It was Miss Tess who tried to teach Dehli to ride the whale.Instead I found out how fast I could swim.
Jimmy, I will give Tess credit for coming up with the trick, but only if you will admit that you had help in conceiving the remarkable 21/2 twisting backflip, with a gainer, off the kiss platform. We worked hard to impress the Ringling folk's, didn't we my friend. Wade Burck
I believe the "DIVING WOMAN" trick was done when the trainer was scouting the audience for YOUNG females and not paying attention to business. Some of us do remember the facts.
Just a note: Future historians will note that this rash of "first time anywhere" animal training feats, was inspired by John Cuneo making himself a "human speed bump", to stop a run away Daisey on her mini bike. I am always proud to give credit, where credit is due. Wade Burck
A great man once said. "I wish I could buy him for what he is worth, and sell him for what he thinks he is worth"
After all my years working in this biz,I would hate to be remembered for this one Trick! But I guess it's better than being remembered for those F%#*&^@ pink goats, huh Jimmy!! AS for credit,when credit is due,I belive that JC was working the bulls that day.
To MS ;How are you doing kid?
AH, Now MS, that is not 100 true.I was watching that show it was most definatly Mr.Wadey
Yes! It was Wadey scouting for females, JC was working/??/ with the elephants. Answer us JC. Was it you or WADEY? Give us a sign.
I bow to your superior memory Mr. Hall.It was a little hard to see who was working that day,what with the whale shit in my eyes.I am doing just fine,its been a long time,stop in next time you are up this way.
Rebecca, I take offense!!! I have NEVER scouted the seats for young females. They were alway's waiting in my dressing room when I came off stage. I only set the record straight, because I don't want you to start untrue rumors about me. Wade Burck
Came off stage? I thought you were working in the circus ring. I don't start rumors. Just pass along stories that might be entertaining.
Wade I just could not resist this. I just sent all your comments about how great you are to my friend in Germany that you hit on last month. She said you gave her the impression you were HUMBLE and SHY.
I've heard Wade called alot of things,I've even called him a few myself, but HUMBLE and SHY, never.
Before the blog actually starts to think that Rebecca has any knowledge of entertainment, I would like to have Jimmy Hall, or John Cuneo, tell her what the big thing, surrounded by water, that the ring curb layed upon, where the sea and land mammal trainer's stood when they presented the Greatest All-Animal show in North America, was called.
P.S. I'm currently looking for a Public Relations Director. Rebecca, our vibes are so in tune, I think you would be a natural. Wade Burck
Anonymous, Here's what you do. Crawl out from under the bed. Follow that big lion. He will take you to Oz, and show you where to get courage. THEN you can have an opinion. Come on it's fun, we don't bite. Wade Burck (God, I hope Anonymous isn't John Cuneo).
Wade, You may not bite,but I think the Ladies do!!Yes its fun to spar with them,but haven't you Learned by now that you just can't win,your outnumbered!!
Give it up Wade,their are two many of us.You don't stand a chance,you may win a battle or to,but not the war.
MS
When I made reference to the Hall families F%#*&^@ pink goats, it was with out your added prefix, and was meant as a matter of information that there had been such an act, & not meant to be demeaning in any way. In my opinion this is one of the most talented families of our time, possibly of all times. They will definately be remembered for their many achievements, from The Cycling Whiz Kids, who seemed to have ridden unicycles before they could walk, to the recently retired Tavana's Trapeze Act,,,,,not those
F%#*&^@ pink goats!!!!
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