Here Is One For The Books
Posted By thecircusblog on February 25, 2011
I need some help in finding out the name of this trainer. The photo was taken on the Gil Gray show. but when and where is also the question………………. Read comment made by Kandra.
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
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The trainer is Bucky Steele, but I don’t think it was taken on Mr. Gray’s show. The elephant doesn’t look familiar, must be Bucky’s. Also, because of the aerial rigging in the background (looks like a tiger & other animals on a carousal). Mr. Gray had an aerial ballet one year (about 1964 or 65) with carousal animals but the animals were made out of fiberglass & looked like real carousal animals (3 dimensional).
I agree 100% with Kandra about this not being on Dads show. The aerial rigging is so unlike the one I recall. Dads looked like real carousel animals rather than cut outs.
Bob Atterberry used “flat” carousel animals for a number of years on the Texas dates, as well as on the Hamid Morton Circus in the mid 70’s. That looks like Rassini’s Rocket car in the background, which was also used in Texas many years. This might be one of Hamids elephants named Bombay, whom later was sold to Hawthorn Corp. I recall Bucky telling me one time that he did a pony carry with Bombay, similar to Hugo Schmidtt and later Axel Gautier on Ringling.
Definatley Bucky Steel he liked white ponys. And yes 1964 Maxs CRaig built rigging for fiberglass carousel at Gil Gray winter quarters.