2020 Wrangler NFR Round 7 Event Program

TIE-DOWN ROPING SEASON LEADER Mayfield stays ahead of competition

The 2020 PRCA regular season was one for the books with its start, stop, start, and finish because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all the uncertainty, there was one constant through- out the season – tie-down roper Shad Mayfield winning rodeos. Mayfield finished No. 1 in the regular season with $156,668. “Going in No. 1 is the most pressure of any other spot, but it is also a good thing because you have the advantage to try and stay that way,” said Mayfield, 20. “I have a pretty good lead, so I want to go in No. 1 and go out No. 1.” As a rookie last year, May- field qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in the 13th spot, but had a disappoint- ing performance, finishing 12th in the world standings after only winning $36,654 at the Finals. Mayfield placed in just two rounds, splitting third in Rounds 2 and 3. “I learned a lot from last year’s NFR, especially from having a bad one,” he said. “Going into the winter of the 2020 season it really pushed me to be better and that’s what I tried to do. Last year I was on the bubble all year long and that’s somewhere you re- ally don’t want to be. I told myself that I wanted to try and be in the top five for as long as I’m rodeo- ing. If you stay in the top five all Tuf Cooper is second with $89,479 behind Mayfield.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo In 2020 Mayfield earned $603,000 at The American in Arlington, Texas – $50,000 of which counted toward his season earnings – and pocketed $24,500 after winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

“Wichita is the same every time,” Mayfield said. Mayfield is also taking Rampage, 11, and Jag, 11 to the 2020Wrangler NFR. “I have a good lineup of horses this year,” he said. “I feel like Globe Life Field is going to be somewhat likeThe American but with more people. I know that feel is going to be big and is going to be a little different than theThomas & Mack (Center in Las Vegas), but is nothing we won’t be prepared for.” Mayfield is thankful he has the opportunity to win a gold buckle amid the coronavirus pandemic. “After the winter I had and everything started shutting down, I was really concerned that there wasn’t going to be an NFR and that we did all that for nothing,” he said. “To the PRCA and everyone else, we are extremely blessed that they were able to go out there and do that for us because we know it wasn’t easy.” – Tracy Renck

year, then you’re good to go to the NFR. That’s my game plan from now on.” This season Mayfield earned $603,000 at The American in Arlington, Texas – $50,000 of which counted toward the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. He also earned $24,500 from winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Feb. 22. “I could have never imagined I would have this type of (regular) season or COVID happening,” Mayfield said. “Right before COVID hit, I think I had like $130,000 won and that was crazy. After the NFR last year I only won $127,000. That’s a good feeling.” Mayfield noted a few reasons for his big success. “I started working harder and I got a new horse in October (of 2019) namedWichita,” he said. “He made it so easy for me and I’ve trusted him so much that I just had to worry about myself. I knew he would do his job.” Wichita is 12, and Mayfield purchased the horse fromWyatt Imus.

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO 15