This Independence Day, cowboys, cow girls and their biggest fans were at the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale.
For those who think riding a horse and teaching it tricks is a challenge, try doing that and much more with one arm.
John Payne is better known at the one-arm bandit.
He performs at the rodeo, managing to do all his tricks with only one arm.
He’s a man who beats the odds to do what he loves.
“I got one good leg and one good arm,” Payne said. “I like spinning my mules on top of a trailer while I’m shooting my pistol.”
Payne lost his right arm after being shocked by 7,200 volts of electricity.
“I made the best of a bad situation,” he said. “Go on and don’t give up.”
Payne lives to give his fans a good show. He not only teaches people a lesson by example, he has an outgoing personality.
“I tell everybody I’m a hardcore red neck, Okie cowboy, and that covers all the bases,” he laughed.
Doctors also wanted to amputate Payne’s leg, but he refused since that would have meant he could never ride a horse again.
“I think I’ll just keep this one and make it work.”
The Rodeo of the Ozarks continues through July 7.
5NEWS will bring you live reports from Springdale all week!