ProRodeo Sports News - March 23, 2018

GRILLE COWBOY

Bull rider TRISTANMIZE made a big impression his rookie year, winning $85,956, ranking second in the 2017 Resistol rookie standings and 17th in the PRCAWorld Standings. Now the Bryan, Texas, cowboy is in hot pursuit of making his first qualification for theWrangler National Finals Rodeo. At 21 years old, the Texan was sitting eighth in the world standings as of March 19.

WITH MATT NABER PSN

You’ve landed some big wins so far this season. How are you doing it? Tristan: Well, things have been going good lately and I’ve beenmotivated bymissing the NFR. That firedme up and I really wanted more consistency this year, too. Somymindset is a bit different this year and that’s helping. I’mmore focused and realizing how much it takes to get to the NFR and get the world title. You were 17th in the world your rookie year. What’s your plan for breaking the bubble and qualifying for your first Wrangler NFR this year?

Tristan: Just staying focused and in good shape. When you’re traveling, it’s hard to stay in shape. I’malso staying positive and getting wins at big rodeos. You won nearly $5,000 at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz., in February. What was it like to win that much money at a single rodeo? Tristan: It’s nice to win that much at one rodeo. I didn’t even win the average, I let a bull get byme in the short round. It really helps out to get some big wins. I’musing it (themoney) to rodeo and get down the road. What do you consider to be your biggest achievement in rodeo so far? Tristan: Last year wasmy first time getting a 90.5 in Caldwell (Idaho), and then in Ellensburg (Wash.) at the X Bulls Finale, I rode (Big Stone, Moreno & Growney Rodeo’s) Mortimer for 90 in the long round to get second in the average. How did you get into bull riding? Tristan: My whole family rodeoed. My uncle CharlieMize rode bulls professionally and he got me started. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Tristan: My dad toldme if you are going to do something, youmight as well be the best at it and not let anyone get in your way. Give it 100 percent and don’t back down. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered and how did you overcome it? Tristan: In bull riding it wasmentality. It’s amental game – it’s hard to be in the samemindset every time you show up and then getting down on yourself after bucking off. In bull riding, if you lose 50 percent of the time, (it means) you are winning, so it’s definitely hard to stay positive, but that is what makes you a winner. Just staying focused and positive and not letting anything get to you is the biggest challenge. If you could ride any bull out there, which one would it be and why? Tristan: (D&H Cattle Company’s) Bruiser, because he is one of the ranker bulls out there. What’s your favorite part about rodeoing? Tristan: Riding and winning, for sure, but I do like to travel and see the whole country and be withmy buddies after the events. The traveling, and atmosphere and all the friends you get to be with ismy favorite part about rodeoing. How big was the biggest fish you’ve caught? Tristan: I’ve never kept track, but I like bass fishing around the house. Seven or eight pounds is the biggest bass I’ve caught. If you weren’t a rodeo cowboy, what would you be? Tristan: I’d be competing in something. I like surfing – I always watched it on TV and I really like the ocean, too. I’ve only tried it a couple of times, but I’d like to get good at it when I’mdone riding bulls. What’s the best song to have playing while you’re in the chute to help you get amped up? Tristan: “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons. Are you picky about your hat’s shape? Tristan: Yeah, I’mpretty picky about the shape of my hat. I have (a local hatter) shape it for me every time. What’s your favorite app on your phone? Tristan: The PRCA’s app. What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had with a rodeo fan?

Tristan: At the CowPalace (Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco) last year in California, there was a 16-year-old kid holleringmy name while I was getting onmy bull. I was looking around and he was tellingme he knewme because he was followingme on Instagram (tristan.mize). You don’t think about it much, but there are people who follow you and watch your success – especially way out there in California, when I’m fromTexas. What annoys you the most? Tristan: When people grab at my hat in a randomcrowd. When someone grabs it off your

head, I don’t like that toomuch. Do you have a nickname? Tristan: Most people just call me T.

TRISTAN MIZE

ProRodeo Sports News 3/23/18

ProRodeo.com

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