His honour came at the Ironman 4X4 ABCRA National Rodeo in Tamworth last week after he received the nod from the finalist bull riders based on his protection clown performance over the past year.

He did not put his hand up for the job at the ABCRA finals as he was competing in the steer wrestling.

Norton has been participating as a protection clown since about 1995, achieving the honour of ABCRA Protection Clown of the Year on at least seven previous occasions.

Like many people who follow the rodeo circuit, Norton comes from a family background of rodeo riding.

His father was a cattle station manager in the Western Australian Kimberley region who rode bulls and participated in other rodeo events like steer wrestling and roping.

It was natural for Warren, who left school at age 14 to go contract bull catching, to follow this path.

Having worked with cattle at close quarters, the idea of bullfighting or protection clowning in order to distract the bull and move it away from a fallen rider and ultimately back through the yard gate appealed to him.

“The job requires a high degree of fitness and agility as well as an ability to read the animal’s behaviour,” he said. 

“It is a skill being able to predict the bull’s behaviour and distracting it to allow the competitor to get out of its way and out of the arena safely.

“Sometimes I have to get in and release the rider’s hand from the rope grip when a glove becomes entangled.

“We work as a team of two and sometimes three to get the rider clear and the bull out of the arena as quickly as possible so the next ride can take place.”

The sport is not without its risks. Norton has been hospitalised with serious injuries, including popped ribs and a punctured lung after being hit hard by a bull. 

He also had his ankle pinned as the result of another rodeo mishap.

Norton’s partner Jodie Craig is also an accomplished rodeo competitor, having grown up with parents and siblings also involved in the rodeo circuit. 

She too competed at the national finals this year.

They returned to Goulburn and headed out to the Taralga Rodeo for Australia Day.

These days Norton is a little selective about the events he participates in, preferring to let the younger up and coming protection clowns have a go while he still competes in the steer wrestling, rope and tie and team roping events.

He also devotes time to giving the young guys some pointers about how to draw the bull away from the rider and out from the chute area where the gates and bars can cause additional hazards for an unseated rider.

“ I am pretty lucky with the sponsorship I have secured locally to help with the costs associated with entering the rodeos, the needs of our horses and travelling, he said.

“Without the support of the Clinton St Vet, Work Locker, Merino Fuels, Bi-rite Electrical, Fife’s Stockfeed and Goulpro it would be extremely difficult to participate in the rodeos and to have brought home the ABCRA Protection Bullfighter National Championships buckle.

“At this stage my next protection clown role will be at the Sydney Royal Easter Show Rodeo.”