The rodeo community has come across multiple rodeo experts but few capture the imagination of fans quite like JB Mauney. He can vouch for having the same love for the realm that he started with, despite facing a major tragedy in his career. This man’s prowess speaks for itself. Any rodeo enthusiast who hears the name Mauney will at once talk about his inspirational journey.
Mauney is known for his memorable rides on some of the toughest and most famous bulls in the PBR, such as Bushwacker, Asteroid and Pearl Harbour. The encounters drew significant attention from fans and the bull riding community. From starting his career, excelling in it by attaining magnificent achievements, looking after his family, to facing a major tragedy, he has seen it all. He has consistently ranked among the top riders in the PBR and even after retiring from the sport, his commendable skills are still etched in everyone’s minds.
The early career of the Dragon Slayer
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
J.B. Mauney is often referred to as the “Dragon Slayer” due to his famous and historic ride on a bull named “Asteroid.” Asteroid was a bull known for being exceptionally challenging and was often compared to a dragon in terms of its aggressive and formidable nature. In 2012, J.B. Mauney made a successful and memorable ride on Asteroid during the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough World Finals. This ride was significant because Asteroid was considered one of the most difficult and dominant bulls on the circuit at the time. The moniker “Dragon Slayer,” signifies his ability to conquer and tame even the most ferocious and intimidating bulls in the sport of bull riding.
This American cowboy has a stupendous level of expertise in bull riding. This 36-year-old comes from a family with a strong rodeo and bull riding background. His father, Larry Mauney, was also a bull rider, and his family has been supportive of his career. His most notable achievement was in the years 2013 and 2015 in PBR which brought the trophy home for the association.
However, it has not been that smooth for the Dragon Slayer, he has experienced his share of ups and downs in his career. In his early career life, he had faced and gotten out of tragedies that are incredibly inspiring. In 2019 March, he performed with a broken leg and torn knee ligaments. Even with the injury, he went 3-for-3 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to move into a tie with the two-time World Champion Justin McBride for the most classic series event wins of all time. This commendable man with his skills has left a legacy for the other cowboys.
JB Mauney’s career earnings and legacy
JB Mauney is natural talent and his entire life earnings have been earned with respect and unmatchable skills. According to Silent Bio, the best cowboy’s net worth is $8 million. He has won his first two PBR World Finals, he has won two times. With this, Mauney is also the undisputed cash winner for Professional Bull Riders with his total earnings of $8,314,805.23.
In the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas in 2013 he won $1.385 million; this is the best year he had. Also, this was the very first victory that he secured for himself in the world rankings. He earned the title of world champion this year as well. While he was vacationing in 2013, even during that period he earned $1,807,710.75.
The rodeo enthusiasts think of him as an icon considering his achievements and records. His records have made him stand atop the legendary list. He became the third bull rider to complete 500 rides in the top series in January 2018. Not just this, he also attained 87.25 points for raising his bull at a commendable height in Round 1. With the World championships in consideration, he has also attained multiple wins surpassing many old records. The highlight of his records is that he broke the longest 90-point ride record. He has the most earnings when compared to the other bull riders. There is no doubt in the fact that he is a classic bull rider but besides that, he is also a wonderful family man.
A determined bull rider and a family man
JB Mauney in his lifetime has attained multiple rewards and recognitions in his career for his exceptional skills and performances. Just after starting his career in 2006, he attained the Rookie of the Year award. It is safe to say that he is a very hard-working and determined bull rider after reflecting on his rodeo journey. He started his interest in this realm when he was just three years old and bought his first bull when he was just 15 years old.
Since then, he has dreamed of being the best cowboy and here he is today right where he wanted to be. Apart from being a superb bull rider, he is also a very graceful family man who looks after all the nooks and crannies of his family’s requirements. His first marriage took place in the year 2012 with Lexie Wiggly, however, it did not last very long, and he called it quits in 2015.
In 2016, he got married to his second wife Samantha Lyne and now they have two children together. They have a daughter named Bella Mauney and a son named Jagger Briggs Mauney. This sweet happy family now lives in Stephenville, Texas, as JB bought a home in this location in the year 2020. However, after having such a dreamy and successful life, things went a little south for the Dragon Slayer when he met an injury in 2023.
Major injury that led to the bull riding champion’s retirement
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Like many professional bull riders, Mauney has faced various injuries throughout his career. Despite these challenges, he has shown incredible resilience and determination to continue competing. After all the records and accomplishments that JB Mauney had nabbed for himself, the rodeo community lost the best cowboy in their arena. The rodeo sensation suffered an injury on the 6th of September 2023 that decided his retirement. It was an extremely tragic accident, and the entire rodeo world was aback by what had happened.
In an event in Lewiston, Idaho, JB Mauney got thrown away from his bull making him land on his head. This landing broke his neck brutally. This inspirational icon was already performing with a broken foot, little did he know a neck injury was waiting for him. After this accident, a disk was removed and a rod, plates, and screws were placed in his neck.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After his surgery, he took to his social media to announce that he is on the road to recovery, but this marks the end of his career in rodeo. After riding 1000 bulls and winning $7 million, this iconic 36-year-old bull rider was forced to retire due to this threatening injury. However, J.B. Mauney garnered a large fan following due to his charisma, fearlessness, and impressive performances in the arena. If he is ever present at PBR events, he would instantly be the crowd favorite.
Watch this story: Freshman from Central Arkansas Rides to National Rodeo Victory
