*Trick Rider Larry*
On this page ya'll learn 'bout Trick Rider Larry. Ya'll meet his saddle pal, Garrett. You'll learn what he enjoys doin'.
Larry was born in 1970. He was the easiest and smoothest delivery for Buffalo Gal to have. He even started sleepin' "all night" at 2 weeks old! What a relief!!
He grew up, bein' a entertainer!! Was always "a ham!" He kept his family entertained, and in stitches all the time.
He started his kindergarden year at Pleasant Hope, MO. by fallin' "in love" with his teacher, Mrs Caffey.
He joined the elementary school band, at the beginnin' of his 6th grade.
He continued his band, and his drums into junior high and high school. I remember a funny incident durin' his freshman year. "How was that *air conditioner duct* Larry? Do ya Remember?" Mr Wang, sure was proud to have him in the band!! He received MANY letters, for his band participation!!
During his high school days, Larry received many awards and honors. TrickRider Larry received his "greenhorn" award, his freshman year, in FFA (Future Farmers of America). He was elected the Historian in his FFA chapter, his sophomore year. The next year, he was elected Vice President of his FFA chapter. That same year, he received a very special award through the Missouri state FFA. It was the award for "Computers". That year was the very first year it was given out to any FFA members. He was named #3, in the state! Not too shabby for a "small town" country boy!! That year he also received an "excellent" in band, as a drummer.
After four years workin', bull and bronc ridin' in local rodeos, TrickRider Larry attended *School of the Ozarks,* (now called *College of the Ozarks*) in Point Lookout, MO (right by Branson, MO). Durin' his college years there, he organized a college rodeo team.
He worked off campus for his college tuition. He started at the "Grand Palace." He worked with Glen Campbell & Louise Mandrell. Glen must have seen talent there, for he took Larry with him, when he started his own theater! Larry was at Glen Campbell's "Goodtime Theatre" 'til Glen decided to go back on the road.
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Larry noticed that the brand new "Dixie Stampede" were havin' auditions and decided to try out. By hard work and the grace of God, the Dixie staff selected him.
Dolly herself, was there to kick off the first show in the brand new theatre!! From the beginnin', Larry's been there entertainin' folks from all over the world!!
Dixie started their 15th season February 29, 2008. Yep, ya'll know where Buffalo Jim and Buffalo Gal were! Yesiree, we were there at "Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show" with bells on for sure!! We had the pleasure of sharin' the openin' performance with Trick Rider Larry's son and our grandson, Garrett and his mama. It's become quite a tradition for 'Mama Skids' and 'Papa Jim' to be there to help initiate the beginin' of their new season, year after year!!
They have a great show this season!! They have a new theme this year. They have a herd of Texas Longhorns stampedin' into the arena, in the openin'. They have contests 'tween the 'north & south' that's part of the show. They have some new acts this season. Instead of a Southern Barbeque, they have a western chuckwagon feast. Another is a special arial act with our Miss Anna portrayin' a Thunderbird in flight. It is absolutely breathtakin'!! Dolly herself helps out with their patriotic salute, in the finale. What a openin' day they had! I know it was the first show this season, but it was super-fantastic!! Y'all will really enjoy your trip to the Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show, in Branson, MO!!
Please check their website
for the location nearest you.
After bein' part of Dixie Stampede's 'human cast of performers', and bein' one of the 'trickriders', Larry started ridin' and performin' extraordinary tricks atop of the backs of two horses, at the same time, in March 2002. They call it 'Roman Ridin'' when your atop two horses at once. His Pardners were 'Bonnie & Clyde', two beautiful paint horses. He now has as his 'horse pardners', 'Goose & Baldy'. Wow!! Can ya imagine it!! Says he's in 'better shape' today, than when he was workin' on the farm as a 'young cowpoke'.
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We have photos of Larry's 'little buckaroo' and *L'll Pardner*, his son, Garrett Dawson and returnin' home with Larry is his "Queen of the House" Sissy, his multi-colored kitty that came to live with Buffalo Jim and me for a couple of years. Now, she's back home with her papa!Garett is our 7th grandchild. He's Grandma & Grandpa Jim's 'little cowpoke'. God's givin' us 8 healthy grandchildren and we thank him everyday for that! I know y'all is gonna love his page!!
"I grew up on a dairy farm, a typical farm boy," he said. "My first work experience was doing farm work, so I was familiar with animals. Who would have thought I'd be riding horses for a living?"
Not only does Trick Rider Larry, along with 29 other riders, perform twice daily and sometimes three times, in dinner shows that include dancing, singing and equestrian games while guests enjoy a hearty meal that includes a whole roasted chicken, roast pork loin, cream of vegetable soup, potatoes, bread and dessert all eaten without the aid of dinnerware, he also displays his talent for handling animals when he mounts an ostrich and races a fellow performer around the Dixie Stampede's 35,000-square-foot indoor arena.
"I started out as a server in 1995 and worked my way up to production in 1997 and became a riding comedian in 1998," he said. "Riding ostriches is part of the comedian's job and today I'm still racing 6-foot-tall, 300-pound flightless birds around the arena at speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour."
After high school, TrickRider Larry attended College of the Ozarks where he earned a bachelor's degree in agri - business and animal science.
He became familiar with the Branson area and especially the Dixie Stampede. "Coming here to the Stampede seemed like the natural thing to do," he said. Natural, because the performers not only ride their horses but help care for them and groom them each day. "I had worked in the past doing farming, auto body and warehousing," Trick Rider Larry said.
I worked at "The Grand Palace" while goin' to College of The Ozarks and with Glen Campell when he had his theatre here. Then I came to work here full time as a trick rider. I love working here as part of the team. It's a dream come true for this guy."
The Dixie Stampede, owned by country music legend Dolly Parton, is located on 76 Country Music Boulevard in Branson and features 32 horses, 30 riders and 36 costumed servers. The Dixie Stampede offers two shows in one - a one-of-a-kind Carriage Room pre-show and a full-scale arena spectacular. Known as "Branson's Most Fun Place to Eat," the musical extravaganza is centered around an elegant southern barbecue where horse-drawn carriages bring belles and their gentlemen to the party in an atmosphere of hospitality and charm. The show unfolds while guests enjoy a four-course meal. The audience is divided into two teams for a friendly North/South competition. Guests participate in several races and points are also awarded for spectator competitions.
The Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, celebrating its sixth season in Branson in March, is a Dollywood company, originated in Pigeon Forge, TN., in 1988. The company opened its second location in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in 1992. Its third location opened in Branson in 1995. For more information on seeing Larry and the rest of the Dixie Stampede team, call 336-3000. For reservations, call (800) 520-5544.
~Buffalo Reflex - 2001~
*Little Buckaroo*
As a very young buckaroo, Larry was already enjoyin' the life of 'a real cowboy'!! Here he is at 3 years old.
*L'll Pardner*
Howdy all!! Meet Garrett Dawson. He's Trick Rider's son and *L'll Pardner*. He's our seventh grandchild. Garrett is seven months old in this photo. He was born December 12, 2001. When he was born, he weighed in just under five pounds at birth, so he had to stay in the hospital a few extra days. Now, he's a healthy, bouncin' bundle of joy, and the cutest little cowpoke' ya ever saw!! We are so proud of 'em!! Both Buffalo Jim & I, are so very glad, that *L'll Pardner* is in our lives. Grandma & Grandpa Jim ain't gonna spoil 'em none ...... no, NOT US!! Think he's got us 'wrapped 'round his little finger,' already! Thank ya LORD, for givin' us 8 healthy and wonderful grandchildren!!
*Papa & L'll Pardner*
Here's Papa Larry and his son, Garrett(*L'll Pardner*). From this photo, ya'll can already see the love that Papa has for his son. Papa is SO VERY proud of 'em and he has a right to be! Oh my, the bond they already share! May the GOOD LORD keep them safe from harm, and keep watch over them both!!
*Future Dixie Rider*
"Whatta y'all think, is that Stetson, just a might too big on 'em? Looks perdy good," says Grandma & Grandpa Jim. "It's a perfect fit!! Ya suppose he's gonna ride horses for *Dixie Stampede,* when he grows up? Hmm!! Whatta ya think Dad?!!"
*Bros, With Their Boys*
Here's my two grown boys with their 'little men'. Here's Larry Jr. with son Garrett Dawson; and Kris Austin with his son, Austin Blaine. Now don't both dads look mighty proud!!
*Garrett's First Birthday*
Here's Larry and Garrett on Garrett's 1st birthday. Dad's really proud of 'em.!!
*My Two Cowboys*
Papa's ajustin' Garrett's gun and holsters. They're preparin' to 'roundup the bad guys'. The holster and guns are a 'Roy Rogers' set (gift from Grandma and Grandpa Jim from the 'Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Museum & Happy Trails Theatre' in Branson, MO)!!
*Visitin' the Kids*
This was Buffalo Jim and my's first outin' 'alone', since Willus went to the health care facility and Mom & Willus comin' to live with us (8-03). He had went over that mornin' to stay. We went to visit Papa (Larry) and Garrett in their brand new town home. Heidi ( a co-performer at *Dixie Stampede* in Branson, MO.) was also visitin'. We're tryin' to figure out that new intercom system. "Hmm, now how does it work?)"
*We're Ridin' the Trails* Together*
Garrett could hardly wait for Grandma to play cowboys with him when we got there. After gettin' the tour of the place, I did play 'cowboys and cowgirls' with him 'til my legs and back gave out. Guess what our steed's names are? Well ....... Garrett's steed is named 'PEPPY', after Larry's trickridin' horse at Dixie. Have ya guessed mine yet? Not too hard at all! Why, of course it's name is 'TRIGGER', the smartest horse in the movies!!
*Ridin' Happy Trails*
Bet ya thought you'd never see me aridin' 'stick horses"! Well, grandmas will do most anythin' for the sake of their grandchildren! Garrett is ridin' his horse "PEPPY". I'm aridin' Roy's famous "TRIGGER" (yes he's a Trigger). I bought 'em from Roy Rogers Dale Evans Museum gift shop, in Branson, MO and gave him to Garrett! ....... Garrett kept wantin' me and Trigger to jump over this "Toy Story 2" bean bag chair, and for the life of me, I wondered why? Well, as Dad tells it, Garrett is doin' Dad's famous 'Roman Ridin'' with 'Peppy & Trigger'. The bean bag chair represents Dad's big flamin' hoop that he takes Goose and Baldy through each performance. I wished we had had our video camera with us that night. It would have been priceless to capure it on film!! It was so very cute, but goodness me, Garrett was absolutely serous 'bout it all! He rode both stick horses at the same time, right through his personal "flamin' hoop", just like his papa!
*Queen of the House*
Miss Sissy returned to her Papa Larry. Sissy had lived with Buffalo Jim and me for the last couple of years. Larry decided he was able to have Sissy come back home and live with him again. Now, she's back bein' his *Queen of the House*, once more.
*Larry*
Larry does ride other things beside horses. He really enjoys ridin' his motorcycle. He has a Yamaha.
*Trick Rider Larry & Peppy*
Say howdy do, to Larry and his trick horse, Peppy. They do outrageous and unbelieveable tricks together. From what Trick Rider Larry says, "ya have to rely on ya horse"; ya gotta have that "special bond," and he'll do whatever's asked of him. They work mighty good together!!
at Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show*
By: John Brayfield .... July 06, 2001 *The Dixie Stampede in Branson now offers not only a four-course meal, an exhibit of experienced horsemanship and a musical extravaganza, but also showcases the stunt riding talents of a Tin Town, MO native. Trick Rider Larry, who says he feels his life is a Cinderella story thanks to the Dixie Stampede, grew up in the small Polk County community northwest of Fair Grove and graduated from Pleasant Hope High School.
This article was in the Buffalo Reflex, July 6, 2001, in Buffalo, Missouri. The same article was in the Bolivar Hearald Free Press, July 6, 2001. 
**The Gang With Dolly Parton*
Dolly Parton is the owner of Dixie Stampede Dinner & Shows. Here, she's with some of the Dixie's cast, in Branson, MO, in 2001.
*Meet Mr M. T. Pockets*
A few years back, Larry was the comedian, plus ridin' & performin' durin' the 1 1/2 hour "dinner and show." He was known as "Mr. M. T. Pockets." This was his friend, Freddy. Freddy's ready for the 3rd heat, of the ostrich races. He's got awfully short legs, to win a race, if ya ask me. Little did we all know Freddy would turn out to be Fredricka, after layin' a egg right there in the arena floor!
*World Champian Ostrich Rider*
Here's Larry, ridin' an 300 pound ostrich. He's been known as the *world champion ostrich rider*, at "Dixie".
*Need An Instant Replay*
TrickRider Larry is doin' what he's know's best, trickridin'!! WHAT A MANEUVER!! Wonder if he'd "run that one" by us, one more time?
*Dale, Visitin' Dixie Stampede*
Dale Evans was in Branson, MO, for the "Cowboys Heros and Friends Festival", in the fall of 1998. This was just a few months after Roy's passin', July 6, 1998.
*Dale & The Gang*
Here's Dale with "The Dixie Gang". Do ya see Trick Rider Larry there in front?1998.
*Christmas at Dixie*
Larry's inside the horse stall at "Dixie." They take care of all the horses. They feed em',and brush 'em. Didn't get a shot of "Peppy," his trickridin' horse, in this photo.
*Larry & Mama Skids*
Here's TrickRider Larry and his proud mama. At Dixie Stampede in Branson, they call me *Mama Skids". They all elected me as their official, "DIXIE MOM"! Now that's quite an honor!!
Happy Trails,
~Buffalo Gal~
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