john herriott said...Wade, you are lost or so jealous its bugging you. I pointed out that Mr. Beatty closed a season in late Fall, Got together some twenty, p0lus, lions and tigers and opened in Detroit in a repeat engagement from the year before in January with all new animals and was again a wildly heralded feature. You have not commented on that. I wonder why. I would like to see you acquire some twenty cats, not cubs, in September and present them as an act in Evansville.
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Wade G. Burck said...
Johnny,
I didn't realize you were waiting for a comment about getting the cats together and going to Detroit. Maybe you don't realize I am waiting for your answer on a number of things also. In regard to Detroit, heres the best I can come up with. It may or may not be what you are looking for.
In 1978 I had to fly into Oklahoma City to work the first white tiger act with 17 animals. I was in Florida at the time, when a call came in that the cats were enroute to Oklahoma and I had to be there in 3 days. 8 of the tigers, I hadn't worked in 4 months, and 9 I had never worked with. The man who did train the 9 let the assistant who was to work the act, get mauled severely. It was a career ending injury. I arrived in Oklahoma, had one practice, and opened with that tiger also. I was 23, John. An experienced old timer handed me that. AND SO WHAT JOHN. BIG DEAL. In July of 2002 a few years later, an man showed me 2 15 minute practices with 7 tigers, and left. Because another act was not ready, I had to have 15 ready for your Evansville in November. Again, I know that is 4 1/2 months, and only 15, but that's the best I can offer to you. I know it had those stupid hind leg walks, and 15 sitting up on the floor, that the people don't like, but cut me some slack. You have put so much emphasis on time in this debate, I can almost guess who has been wild animal training you, and telling you the world is ready for a big fighting act. And he is not very good John. Do you want your mirror back? Jealousy, John? Pompous, John? That's not the belittling deal you mentioned I do, is it? No, I didn't think so. You would have to be a little pompous and jealous to belittle don't you think, and I have just asked questions to find a standard?
Tell you what John. I'll make a big grand Beatty act, if you make a Gran Prix Dressage horse?
I know I have worked with more horses, then you have cats, so what? That's not been an issue for me. Elephants? I don't know? But I do know in a couple of days when they are developed, you can see pictures of my 3 year old son and I working an elephant that was deemed "unmanageable", later in 1993, and spent the rest of her life in a "non contact" world, similar to some zoo's, that we frown on so much. Her name is Billie, and she has been featured and spoke of on this blog in the past. Jealousy? Maybe there is some of that, John?
Regards,
Wade Burck
Now we get a lesson on Pete Taylor. Which is so irrelevant , read it on the other blog. And we continue below:
Obviously you seem either bitter or frustrated in reading between the lions. Your comment about the Potentates underwear made me realize that probably over 80 per cent of your career has been on various Shrine Circuses where in reflection mine has been pretty much the exact opposite.
Incidentally, I have never referred to myself as Col. professionally or otherwise. Sincerely, johnny johnny said...
What do you mean how wild animal training has gotten better in the modern times. We have had Court, Mathis and great trainers here and Buckles blog has shown some awesome pictures of great cat acts, trainers and routines of which I have not seen duplicated. I am quite aware of the strtch and ground sit up of multiple groups of tigers as it seems to be quite common in tiger acts today along with tigers on their hind legs. I wish you would refrain from the use of the Spainish Riding school word "corbette". A tiger doing a jump on its hind legs is just that, as is a dog, a bear, etc. I have not seen the jumps and rolls of GGW and doubt if I ever will. I believe since Cuneo invented the erector set pyramid,leap prop that all Cuneo consist of pretty much the same designated John Cuneo routine with elephants as well. Josip Marcan has certainly changed the norm by doing complete acts without any props. I assume that would give him additional credentials to those he already has.
Again John, why do we have to go back 50 years to reference great high school riding in the American Circus. We can find great examples in Europe today? I'm wondering. Do you know why after "60 years in the trenches?" Wade Burck
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