Angelo/AJ Silver-Bronx Trick Roper

Okay I used to be the Trick Rider from the Bronx that also trick roped. Now I am the Trick Roper from the Bronx that used to Trick Ride? I was born and raised in New York City . I grew up way Uptown-on East 234TH Street in the Wakefield Section of the Bronx. One Block up from White Plains Rd and the 2 Line. My Grandparents were Italian Immigrants. My Father's family was from the Island of Ponza my Mom's from Naples and Bergamo. Growing up in New York City during the 70's and 80's was an incredible experience for a child/teenager! There could not have been any place better!! I went to 12 years of Catholic School-OUCH!! and was obsessed with animals growing up. I had dreams of becoming an Elephant Trainer or at least a Veterinarian. However when our family dog got into a fight with another dog and half her head was hanging off-I decided maybe I did not have the stomach to be a Vet. Okay realized then that Vets do more then hang with animals!! (our Dog ended up fine) I did get to see Elephants quite often at the Bronx Zoo-but realized it was probably not very practical to have one as a Pet! So it is said that the Bronx has the largest amount of Parkland compared to any City in the USA. Boy did I take advantage of that!!! Besides all the other traditional Bronx activities I also rode horses(somtimes swam with my horses in the Ocean near City Island) Water skied,and explored Pelham Bay and Split Rock Parks on horse back and afoot with all my friends from Cy's Riding Academy and Pelham Bit Stables . Not the first things people think of the Bronx? Oh yeah it is also the place where I learned how to be a Rodeo Trick Rider and Roper. Thanks to my mentors Nick and Helen Panzella!!( will have to write a Bolg about them) So now I make a living as a Variete Artist with my Stage act that includes Trick Roping, Bullwhips and Boleadoras. So far I have had an incredible career in the entertainment buisness-Talk about Varied!! Rodeos,Circuses,European Cabarets,Broadway Productions,TV,NYC's hottests night clubs Etc....... Wow I met so many incredible people in my travels. Not bad for a kid from the Bronx that had a dream of becoming a Wild West Star. I will never forget my Mom tucking me into bed when I was a child and telling me I could be anything I wanted-and to follow my dreams! Thanks Mom I did!!