ProRodeo Sports News February 16, 2024

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

BY TANNER BARTH & TRACY RENCK

Teel turns back clock in victory Back in 2012, Cody Teel took the ProRodeo scene by storm, claiming the PRCA Bull Riding World Championship in his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut. The Bryan, Texas, cowboy showed the crowd at Dickies Arena, he’s still got it, recording an 87-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Goin Brandon in the finals to win the prestigious rodeo. “I knew quite a bit about that bull, and he would’ve been my No. 1 if I could have picked one in the draw,” said Teel, 31. “Then, you have to go out there and execute and I was able to do that. My buddy Trey Benton III rode that bull a couple of years ago and I think he was the last guy to stay on him. I picked his brain a little bit about the bull. That bull is smart, and you have to ride him jump for jump and stay aggressive right through the whistle.” Teel, who has qualified for the Wrangler NFR six times – 2012-16 and 2023 – knows he needs to use this winter win – that earned him $25,000 – as a springboard. “A big lick like this to end January coming into February means a lot,” he said. “Last year, I spent some time getting back into rodeo after spendings some time competing in a (different association). I got my eligibility up and I was able to get into Fort Worth and San Antonio. So, to be able to be back at these rodeos and have a shot at this kind of money early on definitely means a lot.” A year ago, Teel finished 14th in the world standings with $166,472. He earned $30,801 at the NFR in Vegas in December. “Bull riding is all about momentum and you just have to keep it rolling,” Teel said. “When you come into the big rodeos like San Antonio, Houston and Austin later in March, this is definitely a start, and you need to keep the ball rolling and that’s what we are going to try and do.”

James Phifer photo Cody Teel showed he’s still going strong by winning in Fort Worth with an 87-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Goin Brandon in the finals.

Mayfield wins first-ever title in Fort Worth

The sport of rodeo presents challenges at every turn in the quest to be crowned a world champion. Shad Mayfield reached ProRodeo’s mountain top in 2020, capturing his first gold buckle in Arlington, Texas. His mission for a second world title in 2024 nearly came to an end before it got started. At the conclusion of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Mayfield met with the Justin Sportsmedicine team and Dr. Tandy Freeman to discuss hip pain that had been hampering him for years. The diagnosis would’ve ended the season for most, but Mayfield had other plans. “The last couple of years I’ve had a lot of problems with my hips, just being tight all the time and getting sore,” said Mayfield. “I went to see (Dr.) Tandy Freeman at the first of the year. After the Finals it was really affecting me. “Tandy told me that I had a torn Labrum in both hips and Femoral Impingement, where there’s just not enough flexibility there. They told me that I needed to have surgery to prevent having hip replacements. That has kind of been on my mind as I was planning to do that, but honestly with the year I’m having and the lead I have, it’s not going to slow me down too much. I like battling adversity, so that’s what I’m going to do this year.” It didn’t seem to slow down the five-time Wrangler NFR qualifier at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Mayfield walked away with his first win at the PRCA Playoff Series stop after clocking a 7.8-second run in the finals. “Being second out tonight was tough with the set of guys coming behind me, Mayfield said. “I had to hold my breath and wait for the rest of the guys to go. Honestly, it was probably good to be second out because I kind of got to set the pace for everyone else.” Mayfield’s trip to Fort Worth was worth $26,500, adding to his already sizeable lead in the world standings. With the lingering injury now on the back burner, he’s chasing his spot back atop the mountain in ProRodeo.

James Phifer photo Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield has won countless rodeos in his career and now he can check Fort Worth off his list, thanks to his 7.8-second run in the finals.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/16/2024

ProRodeo.com

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