| Whiplash | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1987 (age 24–25) Miami, Florida |
| Residence | Weatherford, Texas[1] |
| Other names | Pistol[2] |
| Occupation | Rodeo performer |
| Years active | c. 1990-present |
| Height | 30 inches (76 cm) [3] |
| Weight | 7 pounds (3.2 kg) [3] |
| Relatives | Tommy Lucia (trainer)[1] |
| Website | |
| http://www.whiplashrides.com/ | |
Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey (b. circa 1987) is a White-headed Capuchin monkey known for riding a Border Collie at rodeos across the United States.[1]
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Animal trainer Tommy Lucia purchased Whiplash as a baby from the widow of an animal enthusiast in Miami, Florida.[4] As Lucia raised the young monkey, he introduced him to balancing on a saddle, then to the family's dogs. Over time, the dogs became used to carrying the capuchin.[2]
Whiplash has been riding since age two and travels with The Tommy Lucia Review, appearing at rodeos in North America and Europe.[5] Since 2004,[6] he has starred in a series of television advertisements for the fast-food chain Taco John's.[7] He has also appeared on ESPN,[8] Good Morning America, and The Today Show. On January 29, 2009, Whiplash was knighted in St. Paul, Minnesota, by the St. Paul Winter Carnival royalty at Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub near the Xcel Energy Center.[5][9]
Whiplash is also known for being the inspiration for the catch phrase 'Round em up' which was first yelled out in 1991, at a rodeo as whiplash was rounding up sheep.