ProRodeo Sports News - February 19, 2021

he worked for and practiced under the guidance of two-time World Champion Tie-down Roper Junior Garrison. “When I left his place, there was nobody faster than me,” Sylvester said. That speed took him to wins at big rodeos such as the Calgary Stampede in 1985 and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo in 1987, which helped himmake his second NFR qualification. Sylvester, 66, buys and sells feeder cattle in the Clovis, N.M., area with his wife, JoEllen, while watching Shad’s career blossom. “I should have been one (a world champion), but I didn’t have the backing he has,” Sylvester said. “I didn’t have anyone to tell me how serious it was.” During Shad’s first year in ProRodeo, Sylvester took a year off from work to drive with him. “I was like Shad, I set a lot of records, but I was wild and didn’t take care of business too well,” Sylvester said. “I don’t want himmaking the mistakes I made, so that’s why I went with him.” Shad went out on his own in 2020, winningThe American and the San Antonio PASSING THE TORCH

BIG WINS • Sheridan (1977)

Stock Show & Rodeo en route to the gold buckle. “Every few years a roper like that comes along – Cody they were like that,” Sylvester said. “One Ohl, Joe Beaver –

• Calgary (1985) • Oakdale (1985) • Salinas (1986) • Santa Fe (1986) • Scottsdale (1986, 1987) • Caldwell (1987) • Casper (1987) • Fort Worth (1987) • Greeley (1976, 1987)

Photo courtesy JoEllen Mayfield With his dad, Sylvester, by his side, Shad Mayfield started riding calves before getting into roping.

will come along who is above the rest, and that’s what he (Shad) is now, but he works at it and is serious about it. I did whatever I could to be the best. I’d pick up stuff from guys like Cody Ohl, and I’d piece together different ropers’ styles and taught it to him (Shad).” Shad knows the lessons from his father are a combination of the things Sylvester learned. “My dad has had a huge influence on my roping and taught me everything I know,” Shad said. “The mental and physical part of roping I learned from him since he has been around so many guys. He has learned from them and handed that to me.” From an early age, it was clear that Shad had inherited his father’s love for rodeo. “When I’d come home, he would be out tying a calf by himself, so I’d turn out calves for him,” Sylvester said. “He would rope, rope, rope, and I kept him in good horses with lots of calves.” Shad also played a role in that most special day for his dad, 35 years after Sylvester made that first NFR appearance. “The biggest day of my life was Dec. 12, 2020 – my daughter, Shelby, graduated from Texas Tech and Shad won the world,” Sylvester said. “That all happened in one day.”

Jackie Jensen photo Shad Mayfield, center, followed in his father’s footsteps and made his NFR debut in 2019. His parents, Sylvester and JoEllen, were among the fans cheering him on.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/19/2021

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