By Andrea Sheppard
What on earth would make someone decide to become a bull fighter? What if you were waiting to ride your bull and you saw a fellow rider in trouble. He is hung up in the bull rope and being dragged around like a rag doll at the other end of the arena. What would you do? Well, if you are Tori Ammand Carry Ozane, you would jump in the arena, run across without protection and help get your friend free. That is how Tori, 31, became interested in bullfighting.
Tori, known as TACO, to his friends and family and fans, hails from Westlake Louisiana. He comes from a family rich in the rodeo life. Both sides of his family are steeped in the cowboy tradition. This story on the surface is not ‘unique’ except that Tori is African American. On the commercial side of rodeo we do not often see many people of color in the mainstream events. There are lots of well-known bullfighters and largely, with the exception of the great Leon Coffee, they are nearly all white. But in many local rodeos there are many cowboys of color.
Not many cowboys/girls of color break into the potentially lucrative world of mainstream rodeo. The largest American rodeo organization, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (known as the PRCA) sanctions rodeos daily throughout the country culminating with the ‘world series’ of rodeo, the National Finals Rodeo, every December in Las Vegas. The potential money gain for these elite competitors can exceed $500,000 in 10 days. But this is not why most cowboys enter the arena. They do it for the love of the sport. Because only the Top 12 money earners of each event makes it to the NFR.
Considered a very talented football player, Tori did not choose the gridiron over the dirt. His son is following in his football steps. Even though only 6, he seems prefers football to rodeo. But we know how quickly that can change. When I asked about what kind of advice he gives his son about rodeo or football, Tori tells his little boy to follow your heart and trust in himself and not second guess his choices. That seems like pretty heavy advice for a 6 year old. But Tori knows that preparation for success starts early. His advice for other young men and women of color wanting to break into the mainstream is to carry themselves the right way, be professional and keep their reputation clean. That is some pretty sound advice for a young person to follow regardless of the career he/she chooses.
The very interesting thing about bull fighting is that it can truly be art in motion. This heart stopping competition is when the bull fighters go one on one against the bull. Unlike the conquistadors of Spanish fame, the bull fighters do not have weapons. The American Bull Fighter goes toe to horn against the bull. Tori chooses to get in the ring and earn points by taunting the bulls to get them riled up and as close as possible and gets out of the way in the nick of time, doing it as stylishly as possible, dodging the bull sometimes using a barrel. They have up to 60 seconds to earn 100 points. Up to 50 points for style, which includes jumping over the bull. Tori’s signature move is the back flip. Another 50 points is earned by the bull’s performance. Yes, the bull gets judged on engagement with the fighter, rankness (aggression), and speed. The minimum time is 40 seconds. If the fighter does not stay in for at least 40 seconds he is disqualified. Once he makes the 40 second mark he can “declare” and end the performance or keep going for the duration.
Tori has won back to back Gold Buckles in 2016 and 2017 at St Francois County PRCA Greasepaint Tour event in Park Hills, MO. That is one of his favorite rodeos. Every cowboy has a favorite event, favorite arena, signature move that has led to success. But the voice in your head can sometimes make the difference. Tori knows that a being Black Bullfighter comes with the same challenges as breaking into any white dominated sport/business/community and he works to send the message that skin color does not make him different. What sets him apart is his dedication to being great at his sport. He tells me that if he could give the 15 year old Tori some advice he would tell him to go for his PRCA card earlier, get to know more people in the industry, and focus on bull fighting sooner.