Specialty Act

101 Wild West Rodeo

   
 

Specialty Act: John Payne A.K.A. The One-Armed Bandit

 

Taken from The Ponca City News written in August of 1988 – “John Payne from Shidler entertained the crowd with his trained horse and dog giving a demonstration of herding techniques with several steers. The high point of the act, known as the One-Arm Bandit & Company, was when the dog drove the steers to the top of Payne's customized trailer, Payne rode his horse onto the trailer with the cattle, and then he got up into his saddle and waved his hat to the crowd”.

Since that time The One Armed Bandit & Company has appeared at the 101 Wild West Rodeo in 1993, 1996, 2000, 2003, and 2006. So you see it just doesn’t seem right without The One Armed Bandit & Company being here to be a part of the 50th Anniversary of the 101 Wild West Rodeo

Take an Oklahoma horseman, two dogs and a whip. Add a herd of buffalo, mustangs or longhorn cattle right off the range. Now round 'em up, and put them ON, that's right, on, not IN, your trailer.

The One Arm Bandit & Company have been doing all of that and more with wild west flair since 1988 at major rodeos, shows, and fairs.

This act is the only one like it in the world. It truly is a "must see to believe".

Born to a rancher in 1953, this Oklahoma cowboy has spent his entire life on a back of the horse, with dogs along side. The breed Florida cur head dogs. Which he raises and trains himself, can trail and bayed, the meanest bovine in the woods or plains! Cattle gathering expeditions have taken John as far south as Southern Florida, where alligators lay and wait for hot, thirsty dogs to come to the water’s edge, to Georgia, where large timber companies like Weyerhaeuser harbor maverick cattle in brush and vines so thick that is almost impossible to walk in, much less ride a horse. Then to New Mexico, the west coast of California and the vast plains of the Kansas Flint hills, where fattened cattle are gathered for market, sometimes weighing in excess of 1,100 pounds and proving to be a real pain to handle. And, of course, his native state of Oklahoma, where he has been in partnership with his dad and four brothers for the past 45 years.

On June 12, 1973, John took the place of an electrician for one day, thinking the electricity was off. John sustained 7,200 volts for 10 seconds. The electricity exited his abdomen, leaving intestines showing. While the voltage was destroying his leg muscle, it burnt through his fingers, allowing John to fall to his death. But John received CPR, licked his wounds for two months and went back to ranching, through this shocking experience; John became….John S. Payne a.k.a. "The Notorious One Arm Bandit"

Discovered on a ranch in Oklahoma by Walter Alsbaugh, John was hired to pen some bucking bulls that Walter had bought. The bulls didn’t seem to know any boundaries, nor would they respect a cowboy on horse. But after a short while, they learned to respect John’s Cur head dogs. They were penned and Walter was Very much impressed with John’s talent. This led to John’s appearance in the rodeo arena.

In 1975, John took a liking to Judy C. Crabtree, and they later married.

On January 8, 1976, David L. Payne "LYNN" was born. Lynn learned to be a cowboy early in life. He rides a multitude of horseflesh popping a bullwhip in each hand while steering his horse with his legs. He has been spotted in Canada and the lower 48 states. Lynn has been on the run since the early 90s, when his name appeared on the most wanted list.

On May 2, 1978, Amanda J. Payne was born. Quickly picking up the cowboy life style, she started riding horses at a very early age. Amanda hit the road at the age of 18, traveling back and forth to North America. She has proven a woman can catch a fish and skin a deer just as well as any man. Don't let her smile fool you . . .she is just as captive as the men in the gang.

She's the only girl to ever attempt to follow in the Bandits footsteps. Don't let your guard down either. She can handle two bullwhips at the same time while guiding her horse with legs and her Cur Head Dogs are always watching you. If you're lucky you might get a glimpse of her. She too is on the most wanted list . . .

Together John and Judy are responsible for what now is the most sought after gang in the rodeo world today—the One Arm Bandit Gang. They have been on the most wanted list since 1988.

The One Arm Bandit and Company has now taken their legendary act throughout the United States and Canada. This act has been seen at some of the top horse shows and rodeos. This entertainment has been awarded PRCA Specialty Act of the Year in 1989-90-91-92-93-94-95-96 and 2008.

 

VISIT THE ONE-ARMED BANDIT & COMPANY WEBSITE

   
 
 
   
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