ProRodeo Sports News 2022 Wrangler NFR Preview Issue

TIE-DOWN ROPING Money Mayfield Shad comes into NFR as season leader BY BRADY RENCK

2022 TIE-DOWN ROPING STANDINGS

Special to ProRodeo Sports News T ie-down roper Shad Mayfield served for the elite. It’s not if he will win gold buckles, but how many and by how much. Mayfield boasts a world title from 2020, but even by his lofty standards, this season dropped jaws. “Money” Mayfield, as some call him for his ability to perform his best when it matters most, pocketed $203,508 in earnings catapulting him to a No. 1 world ranking as he enters his fourth NFR. Mayfield’s single season earning are a record for tie-down ropers before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Mayfield, the 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion, surpassed tie down roper Tuf Cooper’s record of $190,445 set in 2017. He finished scalding hot with a victory at the Cinch Playoffs at the Washington State Fair Rodeo in Puyallup, Sept. 11. He earned $14,800 at the rodeo. “It felt good to get a good check,” Mayfield said. “I knew what it meant for my money for the single season. Usually, my (13-year old) horse Rampage is resting at home right now, but I asked for him to give me one more month.” The pairing remains unrivaled on the tour. Mayfield operates selectively, picking specific rodeos rather than maxing out events. This strategy can only work by winning the remains impossible to miss. Just 21, he enters rodeos with questions re

1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M.................... $203,508 2. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas. ................ 166,729 3. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont................ 156,027 4. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas..................... 149,516 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La..................... 132,782 6. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La......................... 125,251 7. Tuf Case Cooper, Decatur, Texas............... 124,382 8. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas........... 123,326 9. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas.............. 122,272 10. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla................ 118,708 11. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas.......... 117,505 12. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas................... 114,895 13. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla.................... 114,771 14. Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La................... 105,793 15. Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas.... 101,946

FROM THE CHAMP

“There’s nothing like that place and that crowd, and everything that comes along with being in Vegas. They could move the finals wherever they want to, but it would not be like Vegas.

Shad Mayfield climbed back atop the PRCA standings this season. The Clovis, N.M., tie down roper earned $203,508 in 2022. Dan Lesovsky photo

So, I guess my plan is to do what I did last year. Win as much as I can, make good runs and see what happens.” Smidt

in there.”

believe that nobody can beat me. I just need to do my job,” said Mayfield, whose father Sylvester Mayfield qualified for the NFR in timed events in 1985 and 1987. “I know I can do it if I have my confidence. I just have to do my job.” Mayfield, who expertly uses his strength and size at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, spent his time prepping for the NFR back in Texas. He embraces the process as much as the results. “I just like to practice a lot. I make a lot of practice runs at home, tie a lot of calves, ride horses,” Mayfield said. “I keep my mind focused on roping and that’s what I do when I am at home practicing.”

QUOTABLE “It means the other guys are chasing me and I just have to stay where I am. And it feels like it boosts my adrenaline and makes me rope better going in there.” – Shad Mayfield

Mayfield earned this position by writing a diary of havoc across the country. He won 14 rodeos fromNebraska and Utah toWashington and Colorado, the latter of which included an event record 7.2 second time at the Greeley Stampede in June. Next stop is theThomas &Mack Center, with eyes on another world title. Mayfield aims to improve after finishing 14th in the average, earning $63,994 in Las Vegas a year ago. “Honestly, I don’t feel like my confidence has been great at the finals. "So, I feel like I need to boost my confidence and

– Caleb Smidt

top prizes, and Mayfield dominated in the NFR Playoff Series presented by Pendleton Whisky. It leaves Mayfield as the hunted entering the sport’s premier event in Las Vegas. Just the way he likes it. “It means the other guys are chasing me and I just have to stay where I am,” Mayfield said. “And it feels like it boosts my adrenaline and makes me rope better going

ProRodeo Sports News 11/18/2022

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

DEC. 1-10, 2022

ProRodeo Sports News 11/18/2022

54

55