Wild West Shows and Rodeos
Clay spent his college years doing what he knew how to do — ride horses. After a brief stint at the College of the Sequoias, near his home in Visalia, CA, he went to Merced College and then Fresno State. He admits to sitting on various animals more often than sitting at a desk.
Clay competed in steer wrestling, bull riding and saddle bronc riding.
Clay's forte in College Rodeo was always saddle bronc riding. In 1975, he was 3rd in the Nation.
It was the above bull that broke a few of Clay's bones, a fraction of a second before this photo was snapped. But, that only slowed Clay down for a few weeks, and as often happens, a door starts closing, and several windows open.
Clay traveled the world performing in a series of Wild West Shows: Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and the first and only Wild West Show to go to China, in 1984. The horses and he traversed continents via air, boat, truck, train — and Clay loved the adventure.
Clay and his brother worked for a time driving stagecoaches in Yosemite. And, of course, there were several stints in commercials and films.
And then there came Clay's introduction to Friesian Horses, and the launching of his very successful carriage driving career.
Clay competed in steer wrestling, bull riding and saddle bronc riding.
Clay's forte in College Rodeo was always saddle bronc riding. In 1975, he was 3rd in the Nation.
It was the above bull that broke a few of Clay's bones, a fraction of a second before this photo was snapped. But, that only slowed Clay down for a few weeks, and as often happens, a door starts closing, and several windows open.
Clay traveled the world performing in a series of Wild West Shows: Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and the first and only Wild West Show to go to China, in 1984. The horses and he traversed continents via air, boat, truck, train — and Clay loved the adventure.
Driving a stagecoach pulled by Hungarian horses in Antwerp, Belgium.
Clay and his brother worked for a time driving stagecoaches in Yosemite. And, of course, there were several stints in commercials and films.
Taking a break from driving around Yosemite Valley.
And then there came Clay's introduction to Friesian Horses, and the launching of his very successful carriage driving career.
Clay drove in 10 Rose Parades (photo above, 1987); the carriage carries the Pasedena Valley Hunt Club. The Hunt Club originated the Rose Parade, and Clay is driving a "Park Drag," a vehicle very similar to what was driven in the very first parade decades ago.
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