show there in the late 1800s), seemed a
fitting place for the Kirnan show.
The Kirnans’ produced several rodeos
in the states as well. One of their most
famous bucking horses was a horse
known as “Fiddle Face,” whom they coowned with Buck and Tad Lucas.
Although he was credited with being
one of the best in his day, a long-time
rodeo contestant can not escape injuries
forever. Tommy was no exception.
According to the “Clipper” newspaper
of New York, while reporting on the
Madison Square Garden Rodeo, Friday,
November 23, 1923, “Tommy Kirnan
was doing fine in the trick riding event
when, in doing a roll under the saddle,
he swung loo far under his horse, whose
hoof clouted Tommy on his lame ankle.
The rap was so severe
he dropped off and
had to be assisted out
of the arena. A doctor
attended to it.” He had
several other injuries
while performing
dangerous stunts
a-horseback as well.
Although Tommy put
on Wild West Shows
and Rodeos in competition with the
great Tex Austin, he was also friends
with, and worked for Tex. In 1920, when
a film crew decided to get footage of the
Tex Austin Rodeo at Chicago, Kirnan
was one of the cowboys Tex had the
cameras aim at most. This old footage,
which has been miraculously salvaged,
may be the best tribute we have left of a
once-legendary rodeo man. Tommy was
not much of a publicity hound in
his day.
Just as mysterious as his boyhood
years, Tommy Kirnan’s life after rodeo
largely remains a mystery as well. He
died, March 26,1937 Iowa Park,Texas.
He was posthumously inducted into
the National Cowboy Hall of Fame
in 1977.
MONTY ROBERTS
the horse whisperer
DON’T MISS THIS
RARE “Bucket List”
APPEARANCE! FOR MORE
INFO CALL 928-300-5490
Arizona Equestrian Connection
Proudly Presents:
HORSE WHISPERER MONTY ROBERTS
“FROM MY HANDS TO YOURS” World Tour
Jackpot Ranch Arena
March 14th, 2015 • Camp Verde, AZ
Tickets Available Online • Seats are Limited • VIP Tickets Available
ArizonaEquestrianConnection.com
Email: [email protected] • Phone: 602-314-5413
AZintheSaddle.com
February 2015
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