Rick Wanchuk, better known as Ricky Ticky, is a name Synonym of Rodeo of a small town for innumerable sport fans, from the coast of BC to the floors of Manitoba and almost everywhere.
And this summer, with a final holler, an explosion and a cloud of smoke, the rodeo clown officially put its innumerable yellow and wrangler shirt of large size to graze after almost half a century on the surrounding path.
“My head wants to move on,” Wanchuk told CBC News. “The only reason I retired is that my head wants to go, but my feet do not want to stay with me.”
Wanchuk, who is now approaching 74, made his personality of the stage a basic entertainment element during the decades, returning year after year to act in events such as Grande Prairie Stomponde, Lea Park Pro Rodeo and, for his memory, “almost all the rhodes in Saskatchewan.”
He acted for the public in the Rodeo of the Canadian finals in Edmonton five times, and even traveled around the world to give the Australian public a sample of Ricky Ticky in 1992.
But his most appreciated shows have always been the small town stops.
“Each of them is a favorite,” he said. “There are none to those who would not return to tomorrow and the clown.”
His final show was August 31 at the Rodeo Association of Lakeland in St. Paul, Alta.
A proud Canadian talent, Wanchuk said that the idea of tours in the United States did not tickle his elegant, no matter trying to obtain his trailer, supplied with ducks, foxes, goats and a lot of colored colored dynamite, on the border.
Keeping Wanchuk’s legacy alive
Although Wanchuk launched his barrel for the last time this year, the next generation is on the way to keep the name alive and well in the world of rodeo.
He and his wife Joan are eager to join their children Kolby and Kyle, affectionately known as Halfchuk and Quarterchuk, in the circuits as they advance in the classification in the assembly events and bronch strings.
During the last seven years, Rick’s nephew, Casey Wanchuk, has been helping in the circuit and will now take the center of the stage.
“It makes me feel great, I think he’s ready,” said the patriarch of his nephew.
“We have done everything possible to prepare it. It’s as good as anyone who goes along the way.
“He has something sharp to do here and there, but that will come when he realizes that he is alone.”
In an interview with CBC News, Casey described the development of a fascination with the clown to see his uncle and his father, known in the circuit as Tony Twochuk, perform extravagant acts and acrobatics.
“[Rick] And my dad were the heroes of my childhood; They wanted to be in the worst way, “Casey said.
“When other children played at home or they were simply jeans, I was recreating the clown’s acts on my own.”
Casey said that while waiting to continue the family tradition of taking fun beyond the fence and the crowd, it does not aim to replicate the act of his uncle.
“I will try to bring both style to my shows as I can, but it will still be in a way of Casey Wanchuk.”
Meanwhile, Rick’s retirement plans do not imply attending their garden or hitting the links; After saving the comic outfits and exploiting accessories, he is eager to return to the road and visit many of the friendly faces he met over the years.
“I really want to go to more surroundings and sit with people and visit,” he said.
“I’m going to miss that more than anything, just putting [on] A smile, have a conversation, … forget everything else that is not right in the world.
“Put a smile on your face and enjoy the day.”
