PRORODEO Sports News - February 21, 2025

BULL RIDER MAVERICK POTTER SHINES IN FORT WORTH B ull rider Maverick Potter made his Wrangler NFR debut in 2022 and seemed on the verge of some good things when he placed 12th in the world standings.

year I made the (NFR). I have been in the gym with a personal trainer, and she has me dialed in and I’m just having fun. I think it was the mental aspect before when I was struggling. I was changing bull ropes, and I was doing everything I could to get myself out of that spot and I felt like I was just digging a bigger hole. I had sur gery on my hand about a month ago and I just got dialed in after that and I had a great bull (in the finals).” Winning in Fort Worth was even sweeter for Potter because it is essen tially a hometown rodeo for him as he hails from Waxahachie, Texas. “This is 40 minutes from my house, this couldn’t be even better,” he said.

However, he was unable to ride any of his 10 bulls in Las Vegas and it seemed like that string of bad luck continued for the next two seasons. Potter, 24, is trying to get back in the right frame of mind and start win ning again. He did exactly that at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Potter had an 89.5-point trip on Sut ton Rodeo's Mr. Demon in the finals to win the prestigious rodeo. “This is truly a blessing to get this win,” Potter said. “I have been fight ing my brain and my body since the

Maverick Potter hangs on for an 83.5-point trip on Sutton Rodeo’s Heatin’ Up Jan. 25 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

MONEY MAYFIELD CASHES IN SECOND-CONSECUTIVE WIN IN FORT WORTH S had Mayfield went for dos – and converted in grand fashion. Lollipop won the 2024 Nutrena Horse of the Year presented by AQHA award in tie-down roping. were a lot of tough guys," Mayfield said. "I knew the round was going to be fast, and I knew I just needed to go out there and make the best run I possibly could."

"Money" Mayfield, as he is known, clocked a 7.6-second run to win the storied Fort Worth Stock Show & Ro deo for the second year in a row. "This is awesome," said Mayfield, 24. "I love Fort Worth. It is one of the most prestigious rodeos in the world and to win it two years in a row is even better, especially on my good horse, Lollipop."

This year in Fort Worth Mayfield unofficially earned $28,433, includ ing $20,000 for winning the finals. In 2024, Mayfield claimed the Fort Worth title with a 7.8-second time in the finals and left town with $26,500 in winnings. "It was a tough set (Feb. 8), there

Mayfield is fresh off capturing his inaugural PRCA All-Around World Championship at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge in Las Vegas on Dec. 14. He won that coveted title with $335,474. Mayfield continues to rope – and win – despite battling hip injuries for two-plus years. "The wintertime is nice because it is easier on my body," Mayfield said. "We are just taking it day-by-day right now. It is hard to stop when you're as hot as I have been. For the past year, things have been really clicking. And I feel like when I rope through pain, I try a little harder and rope a little better and I like to persevere through the pain.”

Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield gets off his horse during a 7.6-second run in the finals of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo on Feb. 8 at Dickies Arena.

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS 35