Young, Lehmkuhler Capture 1997 Coors rodeo clown awards

Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998 | 3:48 a.m.

Rick Young and Butch Lehmkuhler, two of the most popular clowns who add entertainment to pro rodeos across the country while protecting competitors from rampaging bulls, received the two highest Original Coors Rodeo annual awards for 1997.

Young and Lehmkuhler received their awards during last year's NFR at the Riviera Hotel at the annual PRCA Stock Contractors banquet.

Both talented veterans of Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association action as cowboy clowns, Young was honored as the 1997 Original Coors Man in the Can while Lehmkuhler received accolades as the 1997 Original Coors Clown of the Year.

Both extremely popular among the PRCA members who voted on the two awards, Young and Harris each received specially crafted commemorative gold buckles. Young also picked up a bonus check of $10,000 that goes with his award.

Adding to his award package, Young also received a replica trophy of the Original Coors Man in the Can bronze sculpture, which was developed in 1996 by noted "Cowboy to Cowboy" Western artist T.R. Chytka of Spearfish, S.D. The perpetual bronze sculpture is permanently on display at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Original Coors Man in the Can Award has been presented annually since 1984 to the PRCA barrelman who scores the highest in a variety of categories as judged by Wrangler Bullfight Tour participants, bull riders, pro rodeo announcers and the Wrangler Pro Officials.

Young, of Tickfaw, La., was selected for the fourth time as the Original Coors Man in the Can Award.

"At my age (63), I may forget a lot of things, but I won't ever forget this special award from Original Coors," Young said. "But, of course, the good folks at Original Coors have presented me with four of these honors to help remind me.

"They used to call me the Ragin' Cajun, but I've dropped the 'R' now. But I'm not slowing down, the bulls are just getting faster."

Also winning the Original Coors Man in the Can Award in 1991 and 1994 in addition to last year, Young is a 37-year veteran clown who performs at about 32 rodeos a year. He also tends to his 80-acre ranch in Tickfaw, where he raises Appaloosas with his wife, Bernie Lee. Young has a degree in Animal Husbandry from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammon, La.

Lehmkuhler, celebrating his 20th year as a pro rodeo clown, won the Original Coors Clown of the Year award for a record fifth time. A high school computer-aided drafting and woodworking teacher in North Platte (Neb.) Senior High School when he isn't at a rodeo, Lehmkuhler won the honor previously in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993.

"I go back to the classroom and learn for nine months and get to go back out and get paid to do all those things the kids get in trouble for doing at school," Lehmkuhler said.

He was also honored as the Original Coors Man in the Can in both 1989 and 1992. Lehmkuhler, 43, is noted for his acrobatics on a trampoline. He earned a degree in education and psychology at Chadron (Neb.) State College.

ALL-TIME MAN IN THE CAN WINNERS

1997 -- Rick Young

1996 -- Rick Young

1995 -- Rudy Burns

1994 -- Rick Young

1993 -- Quail Dobbs

1992 -- Butch Lehmkuhler

1991 -- Rick Young

1990 -- Quail Dobbs

1989 -- Butch Lehmkuhler

1988 -- J.G. Crouch

1987 -- Tom Feller