Margaret, and 3 year old Adam at the finish of the Hawthorn Elephant act.

In 1978 John F. Cuneo Sr. passed away, and John F. Cuneo Jr. taught me to work his big elephant act of 5 elephants. Adam worked in the act, as it was a way to keep an eye on the "little monster", or the Atom Bomb, as his future father in law called him. And now I guess Margaret is validated also.

The the start of the GGW Era--1978 Note the scalloped boots and note GGW's 1978 photos

This was a very exciting competitive time in the American Circus 1970-1985. A great many young men practicing the craft, getting a start, or their foot in the door as it were. Who do you think most of us wanted to be.

My second ever Tiger Trainer Publicity photo--12 months after meeting John and Herta

Pat Anthony made blue boots(Pat was a really neat man), brand spanking new costume only this time it was made by Ice Capades. John usually had costumes made at Nudies, but Nudies was out of business at this time. I was pretty excited when John and I went into Los Angles to pick this costume up. There was my name under Elvis Prestly and above Michael Jackson.

John and Herta Cuneo

For a lot of you readers who do not know them this is John and Herta Cuneo of the Hawthorn Corporation. I first met them in 1976, and the rest as they say is history. When I first received a call from John, I had no idea who he was, remember I was a "townie." I asked my "generational" wife, if she knew who he was. She said, he has 3 white tigers, a big tiger act, elephants, and his wife has bears. I quit listening at white tigers as I thought they all lived in Rewa. What I learned from both these people, is immeasurable. Herta and animal training, John and just about everything there is in the world.
Sometimes there is a passion and love for something that defies a description. John Frank Cuneo, Jr. President of the Cuneo Foundation doing what he loves best. Being smack dab in the middle of a circus, running the control box for the Hawthorn pyramid.

Is this preferable to the pictures of IKA?

For Paul McCarthy---Sultan of the Frosty Sultan mixup in Sports Illustrated

Yes, Paul. Before you say it, in hindsight I should have seen it coming. LOL

First of May--Sorry, my first censor. No "cute names". Thanks for the kind words about GGW

1975 Very first Tiger Trainer Publicity Photo--Subjugating as best I could

Brand spanking new costume made in Mexico. Sharp white boots, made for me by a respected colleague and friend, who gave a warm welcome, Mr. Pat Anthony. I am thrilled that we have some public on this site, as I feel they can offer insight, as long as they don't attack. That's no good for nothing, defend yes, attack no. I am not ashamed of my roots as may be suggested, I learned and improved, as all should, and I have demanded that Adam improve on what is done today. Public compare this to the later White tiger photos. What will get you in the seats. As AR has apparently got the ball rolling, lets try to start it unrolling.
Wade Burck

Now you are really censored, Pal-- Are we getting a drift of a warn welcome?

I have no problem promoting a fellow trouper, On Buckles Blog today:

Toby Styles said...

Checked the date on my slide and it was 1978. Also checked the african elephant studbook and the 1st calf in the western hemisphere was born in Knoxsville in 1978 sired by Diamond (ex Ringling bull).

Toby Styles

28 April, 2008 11:18

Toby Styles who I know from when he was at the Toronto Zoo, and I was training pigs there, sent this post today. I responded:
Toby,
Thanks for the great pictures, They are appreciated. When you get a moment, I would like you to get in touch with me. I would like to discuss "pigs" with you.
Best wishes,
Wade Burck
wburck3@aol.com

I guess it was unseemly? Or just another warm welcome for the new kid on the lot. I have a second generation in this deal. Let me address what "I" think are issues, that may affect his future. Im his father, let me decide. I allow his mother to state her views, being a "show brat". Let this "towner" do the same.

For Kimberly--ARI and Kashmir in 1978 before more room/exercise became PC

There is a quote on Buckles Blog from CFA Henry Edgar, before he resigned as my publicist, because I wouldn't let Clyde be a SuperStar, stating that he recalled doing an interview with me in a984, where I was, "expressing unhappiness" because the show I was on didn't provide exercise cages. In the circus dictionary there is a duo meaning word, called Heat Merchant. I was what was called a "heat merchant", and by Henry Edgar bringing it up again, he is technically also a "heat merchant". And Kimberly we must be careful, that we don't "profile". Wade Burck

IKA--Son of Tony--Brother to Ari

Mary Ann,
As much as I loved Ika, in my "human way", and he will always have a place in my heart, that "human way" accepted long ago that he was not a Herd Sire. Maybe, why some animals eat their young?

This word was used adnausem with pride to describe showing wildanimals. And now we want a different word? Did the world/thoughts change?

sub·ju·gate (sbj-gt)

tr.v. sub·ju·gat·ed, sub·ju·gat·ing, sub·ju·gates

1. To bring under control; conquer. See Synonyms at defeat.

2. To make subservient; enslave.


You research how many times it was used with pride and reverence in describing someone, and calling them the Greatest Subjugater of all time. Now it isn't good enough, and we should emulate as has been suggested, to showcase our skills? Me, I'm a Welfareist. I prefer the 21 century, and what I have learned. Wade Burck

When "what is training", is addressed I suggest a good place to start is 322 BC

Still, care must be taken that the colt is gentle, tractable, and fond of man when he is sent to the horse-breaker. That sort of business is generally done at home through the groom, if he knows how to contrive that hunger and thirst and horseflies are associated by the colt with solitude, while eating and drinking and delivery from irritation come through man's agency. For in these circumstances a foal is bound not only to like men, but to hanker after them. [2.4] One should also handle those parts in which the horse likes most to be cherished, that is to say the hairiest parts and those where the horse has least power of helping himself, if anything worries him. [2.5] Let the groom be under orders also to lead him through crowds, and accustom him to all sorts of sights and all sorts of noises. If the colt shies at any of them, he must teach him, by quieting him and without impatience, that there is nothing to be afraid of. I think that the directions I have given on the subject of horse-breaking are sufficient for the private person. Xenophon--THE ART OF HORSMANSHIP


I don’t want to give the impression that Xenophon had everything figured out. His primary focus was to establish sound training principles for the war horse. But, he was on the right track. And I don't think it involved any thing "adult" or "jungle bred". Wade Burck

SuperStar status belongs to one animal---Snowflake

Photo taken by Steurt Dewer 1996

I am one of the veterinarians from Barcelona Zoo and have taken care of his health for the last 9 years. I got a message regarding albinism in snow fale (or "Copito de Nieve" as we say) from the Primate curator of BZ (Tereas Abello). There was a presentation in the American Association of Veterinary Dermatologist few years ago titled "Albinism in a Gorilla" by Ferrer, Fernandez, Castellels and Fernandez...if you want we can send you a reprint (it is a short communication). We conclude in that paper that snowflake is affected by a oculocutaneous albinism that could be equivalent to Type I-B or yellow albinism in human beings. This seems to be associated with reduced but sufficient levels of residual tyorinase activity to produce small amounts of pigment. His skin is totally white and the membranes are pale pink. hairs are also whiten although in some areas (head and shoulders) they were light yellow creamy. Iris is blue to gray and small amounts of pigment were found in the iridial stroma and in the retina. Pigment was absent in the posterior epithelium and the iris was fully translucent on globe transllumination. I hope this information is useful for your considerings, Regards,

Jesus Fernandez Moran
Servicio Veterinario
Parque Zoologico de Barcelona, España

120,000 came to see Bushman when it was thought he was dying, and then he was mounted when he did die.
When the decision to uthenize Snowflake on Nov. 24, 2003 because of painful skin cancer was reached, the citizens of Spain/Barcelona were given the opportunity to say good bye. The decision split the city in half. Half accused the zoo of exploiting him further as displaying him had done in the past.

I truly believe it is harder to make an animal/person hero in todays world. You had better have an over abundance of CHARISMA.

While we are stuffing and displaying Gorillas lets not forget the legendary circus Gorilla

I gave Gargantua a separate place, as the "snarl" away's disturbed me. He was also stuffed and displayed. I was in the tweener generation, between Bushman/Phil and Snowflake. Any body know how he got the fierce snarl on his face?

Let's evaluate the Clyde Beatty/Frank Buck/Marlin Perkins animal era

"Phil the gorilla, who lived at the Ape House from 1941 to 1958, was one of the all-time favorite animals at the Saint Louis Zoo
Sometime after his death on December 1, 1958, a mounted exhibit of Phil was prepared by Schwarz Studio. This exhibit of Phil is a part of the Safari Shop near the Zoo's South Gate entrance."


But no other animal in a Chicago-area zoo has ever drawn the crowds as Bushman did in his stark steel cage. On a single June day in 1950, about 120,000 people flocked to see Bushman when he was thought to be dying.
His mounted remains are displayed at the Field Museum of Natural History.

Let's look at a 21st century opinion:

Bosses at a Chicago zoo are hoping a gorilla which died 50 years ago
will still pull in the crowds since the other stuffed animals they have
been using have failed.

Bushman was stuffed before he died in the 1950s, but Lincoln Park Zoo
is giving him a prominent place among the exhibits in its Field Museum.

Museum president John McCarter said: "For every kid who grew up in Chicago
in the 1930s and '40s, a trip to the zoo to see Bushman was mandatory.
Bushman came to Chicago as an orphaned baby gorilla in 1930 and left in the
80's as a piece of furniture.

The intangible of magnetism /charisma are often used in the Beatty/Gebel debate. Acceptable if we accept the "political" difference in regards to animals in the 30's-60's and the 70's-00's. Which era was easier to succeed with animals should answer magnetism/charisma. Marlin Perkins was involved with the two fellows above. And I suggest Perkins was the transition/change between Buck and Hanna. As Robert Baudy/Gilbert Houcke may be suggested as the transition change between Beatty and Gebel. I am not sure, but maybe Joey Ratliff, our resident "zoo guy" can confirm. Are there any recent incidences of mounting and publicly displaying of the resident famous gorilla?

Then why don't you pack up your bull durham pouch, in your empty cigar box and go back?

johnny said...

Just great. Thanks Sue. I just love those times and history of "Overland Shows", both here and the British Isles. Great pictures of trucks trailers of those times and the people. Its where I came from and am quite proud of it.

28 April, 2008 08:40

As I, as an animal trainer/performer am quite proud of what some of the trainers and shows have done today in the 21st century. Wade Burck
28 April, 2003 09:10
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Monkey Roll DVD--Elite Behavior/trick

I finally have a DVD of the infamous "monkey roll trick that Gunther had in his act, when he first came over here, and the time span/how long of which the trick was done. When we figure out how to put it on this site, we will along with all the comments that were given, on Buckles Blog, and what each person responding saw. It was an incredible circus discussion quite similar to a UFO sighting. We will let you look at the tape, and decide if it is an elite behavior/trick worthy of being the standard as Horse Trainer John Herriott suggest, and worthy of emulating. I would like GGW's SuperStar title to be pure, and valid and would offer double hindleg walks and tigers holding fire sticks as the example of Elite Behaviors, from a Tiger Trainers point of view.
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SuperStar-- Clyde Beatty--Gunther Gebel Williams

So far the ballot for valid votes stands at 2 for Gebel and 0 for Beatty. I know Gunther would decline before he would accept under those circumstances. So make your vote like a president. No opinion, or reasons, just the set critique as the standard. I don't want to assume that anybody is afraid. We have already shown the warm welcome. We can't topple Hussein so buck up, little Buckaroos. We will watch so he doesn't jerk you out of the polling booth. For those who feel the need to tightrope and feel it isn't important, I'll agree and say don't try to give it to Clyde then just because you want to. All who feel a standard is important, now is the time to set a standard.
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Dianne Olds Rossi and her Friesian Arno with Dr. Reiner Klimke at the Dressage World Cup

Reiner Klimke was the son of a psychologist and a neurologist. With his wife, Ruth (also a top show jumping and dressage rider), he had 3 children: daughter [[Ingrid Klimke]], who competes successfully at the international level in [[eventing]] and [[dressage]], as well as two sons, Rolf and Michael (the latter who also competes at the Grand Prix level in dressage). Klimke not only rode and trained, but also ran a law firm and served on several boards, including the [[FEI]] Dressage Committee. Klimke died at age 63 in [[Münster]], his place of birth, due to a [[heart attack]].

Dr. Klimke's event/medal record:

Equestrian
Olympic Games
Gold	1964 Tokyo	Team Dressage
Gold	1968 Mexico City	Team Dressage
Bronze	1968 Mexico City	Individual Dressage
Gold	1976 Montréal	Team Dressage
Bronze	1976 Montréal	Individual Dressage
Gold	1984 Los Angeles	Team Dressage
Gold	1984 Los Angeles	Individual Dressage
Gold	1988 Seoul	Team Dressage
World Championships
Gold	1966 Bern	Team Dressage
Gold	1974 Copenhagen	Individual Dressage
Gold	1974 Copenhagen	Team Dressage
Gold	1982 Lausanne	Individual Dressage
Gold	1982 Lausanne	Team Dressage
Gold	1986 Cedar Valley	Team Dressage
European Championships
Gold	1959 Harewood	Team Eventing
Bronze	1965 Copenhagen	Team Dressage
Gold	1965 Copenhagen	Team Dressage
Gold	1967 Aachen	Individual Dressage
Gold	1973 Klew	Individual Dressage
Gold	1973 Klew	Team Dressage
Gold	1983 Aachen	Team Dressage
Gold	1985 Copenhagen	Individual Dressage
Gold	1985 Copenhagen	Team Dressage

Dianne Olds Rossi and her Friesian Arno

Arno appearing in the movie, LAST ACTION HERO

Dianne Olds Rossi - The Master of the Dance
The Magical World of Dancing Horses
PO Box 726
Forrest Hill, CA 95631
262-903-7530
Producer of Night of the Friesians
http://www.worldofdancinghorses.com