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UPDATE: Rodeo apologizes for clown's comments about gender identity at Calhoun Co. fair

Posted at 5:20 PM, Aug 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-24 17:20:16-04

After originally confirming that it fired Robbie Hodges for his comments, Lost Nations Rodeo is now saying that is not the case. It released the following statement to Fox 47 News:

"Lost Nations did NOT fire Mr. Robbie Hodges. Mr. Hodges was hired for this one special event and is no longer employed by Lost Nations as he has fulfilled his contractual obligations.

Thank you.

Lost Nations Rodeo"

The lawyer for Robbie Hodges released the following statement to us:

"My name is Robbie Hodges, aka Rockin Robbie Hodges, a PRCA rodeo barrelman (rodeo clown). I recently worked at a rodeo at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds during which I made statements that were intended to be entertaining while separating the boys from the girls for what is referred to in rodeo as a “sheep scramble”. I said, ""You're either a boy or a girl, y’all understand? If you’re confused then you need help, okay? Everybody in here who's really sure they're a boy raise your hand. If you can tinkle on a fire you go to the boys room, if you can't, you go to the girls room, right?” The crowd laughed. The boys went one direction, the girls went the other and the rodeo performance continued as usual.

I was hired for this rodeo by Shilo Walden of the Lost Nations Rodeo Company and was there to entertain the spectators and to train another rodeo clown for Lost Nations Rodeo. To be clear, I was not fired from any employment nor was any contract terminated with Lost Nations Rodeo Company. I was hired as an independent contractor for this one weekend. As I do with most of my performances, I received a thank you, a hand shake and a paycheck for my services at the end of the rodeo.

In his initial statement, Mr Walden said that “Mr Hodges no longer provides services for Lost Nations Rodeo”. This is technically true because I have not yet been hired by Lost Nations Rodeo to work any future performances. I saw the first of many news stories stating that I was fired for my comments days later. Unfortunately, it seems that several news organizations including Fox News and The Washington Times misunderstood the stock contractor’s statement to mean that I was terminated for my comments. This is simply not the case.

Lost Nations Rodeo Company subsequently issued the following statement in regard to the recent press coverage.

Lost Nations did NOT fire Mr. Robbie Hodges. Mr. Hodges was hired for this one special event and is no longer employed by Lost Nations as he has fulfilled his contractual obligations. Lost Nations Rodeo would like to formally apologize for the comments made by our 2016 Calhoun County Fair Event Rodeo Clown Robbie Hodges. Mr. Hodges is an independent contractor who was hired for this lone event. Mr. Hodges is no longer employed by Lost Nations Rodeo because he fulfilled his contract in its entirety. Lost Nations was unaware that the comments made at the 2016 Calhoun County Fair would be made and were off script. The views expressed at this event belonged solely to Mr. Hodges. We sincerely apologize again to all or our fans and look forward to entertaining you in the future. - Lost Nations Rodeo

Robbie Hodges is from CAVE SPRING. GA; Born: Jan 11, 1968.
Family: sons Reed and Blake, daughter Carli.
- PRCA Membership: contestant, 1991; Barrelman, 2004- present.
- Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (“NFR”) Barrelman 2010
- Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (“NFR”) Alt. Barrelman 2011
- Coors Man In The Can Nominee 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
- Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (“PRCA”) Clown of the Year Nominee 2006, 2010
- Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (“PRCA”) Comedy Act of the Year Nominee 2010, 2011
- Dodge Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo Barrelman 2006 ,2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
- Dodge Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo Barrelman 2005
- Barrleman, Mount Isa Rodeo, Queensland Australia 2012

Rockin' Robbie Hodges has established himself as one of the hottest barrelman and funny guy personalities in the world of Professional Rodeo. In only five short years he was selected as barrelman for his first Wrangler Natinoal Finals Rdoeo in 2010. His quick wit and off the cuff banter, as well as carefully thought out acts, keep the crowd entertained and looking at him for the entire performance. Robbie always promotes positive, non-violent, clean family humor, and has an uncanny knack for instantly bonding with audiences of all ages. He genuinely enjoys being a rodeo clown because he likes to talk to and entertain people, especially children. He eagerly takes on the rodeo performance, attempting to personalize each show by taking the time to talk to and get to know as many families as possible. With his unusual skills as a barrelman he has been acclaimed by bull fighters, rodeo announcers, stock contractors, and cowboys alike, as being the most exciting barrelman in rodeo today."