ProRodeo Sports News - April 17, 2020

BULLFIGHTING & HOLLYWOOD

Triple Threat BY TRACY RENCK G rowing up in the rodeo-rich city of Oakdale, Calif., Rick Moffatt loved the Western way of life. And Moffat’s cowboy roots led to him having a career with several layers – as a bullfighter, pickup man and a notable Hollywood stuntman. “I thought being a stuntman was just a one-time deal,” said Moffatt, who has been a stuntman since 2011. “I was fortunate enough to have guys call me to go to Moffatt said. “I don’t want to let him down. I have been a cowboy my whole life. I tried to ride bulls and wasn’t good at that. I saw one of my friends get hurt from not having a bullfighter there, and that’s when I wanted to become a bullfighter. I got my first start from Running Spur Rodeo and was able to work around (stock contractor) Don Kish and all his bulls. I got a good start.” FINDING HIS WAY Phil Doyle photo Bullfighter Rick Moffatt jumps in to protect a cowboy during the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo in Hayward, Calif. Moffatt, a native of Oakdale, Calif., has been fighting bulls in the PRCA since 2005. Moffatt splits time as bullfighter, pickup man and stuntman

ABOUT RICK RESIDES: Oakdale, Calif. JOBS: Bullfighter, pickup man, stuntman FAMILY: Wife, Jodie; son, Carson, 14; daughter, Ivorey, 10. MOVIES WORKED: Django Unchained, American Sniper and Magnificent Seven.

Moffatt, whose full-time job is as a cowboy working on Scott Handen-Myer’s ranches in California for more than two decades, didn’t break into the PRCA business right away. Instead, he watched and learned from some of the best bullfighters in the nation, namely ProRodeo Hall of Famer Joe Baumgartner, of Red Bluff, Calif. Baumgartner won the PRCA Bullfighter of the Year Award each of the first four years it was given (2004-

Louisiana or wherever, and I will go anywhere. I just hurry up and wait to get the call. Being a stuntman, you just don’t want to let your crew down. The best excitement for me is when they call, ‘Cut!’ and everybody gets up and says good job.” The parallels between being a stuntman and a bullfighter are obvious to Moffatt. “Saving a bull rider is the best feeling in the world,”

ProRodeo Sports News 4/17/2020

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