ProRodeo Sports News - March 8, 2019

XTREME BULLS

performance with 173.5 points on two head. “I think I do well there because you get on good bulls and they have a good atmosphere and a lot of energy in the arena and good bull riders, too,” Mize said. Mize made two second-place rides, posting 85.5 points on Honeycutt Rodeo’s Dennis in the first round and an 88-point ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Grey Denim in the second round. “I like winning the X Bulls a lot because it’s just bull riding,” Mize said. “It’s nice to do them back to back. I think the first one warms you up, it gets your motor running for the second one and you have the jitters out.” Oakley had seen Mize since Mize was a kid, but the two didn’t get to know each other until a couple of years ago. Oakley agreed, Mize rides his best when he’s got “the jitters out.” “He has his head right and is focused, he is one of the most focused individuals I have been around,” Oakley said. “He’s really trying to reach the next level and make the NFR.” In addition to his 2017 and 2019 Fort Mohave wins, Mize also won the Llano (Texas) WildWest Xtreme Bulls event in 2018. Mize joined the PRCA in 2016 and went

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to the arena, the journey can be just as arduous. But just like bull riding, a positive attitude makes all the difference. “Confidence is the main thing, I think,” Mize said. “That’s the hardest thing to keep when going down the road. It’s easy to get down on yourself, so just believe in yourself and try not to think about the past. If I make it (to the rodeo), I make it. And if I don’t, then it wasn’t meant to be. Stressing out doesn’t help, so just go with the flow.” Oakley is confident Mize can achieve his goals this season. “He just needs to keep doing what he did in Fort Mohave and keep his head right and be relaxed about it and have fun,” Oakley said. “He wants it so bad he forgets to have fun. You don’t start riding bulls because you think it’ll be a great job when you turn 18. You do it because it’s a lot of fun. Sticking to the basics and having fun, that’s what he needs to do.”

on to place second in the 2017 PRCA | Resistol Rookie Bull Riding Standings with $85,957. In 2018, he finished 28th with $58,813. “My rookie year in 2017 was a good year,” Mize said. “Last year didn’t go so good, but I’m definitely looking to go to the Finals, and I want a world title. I’m going to rodeo as hard as I can and as smart as I can at the same time. I will be entered up deep this summer – you have to be nowadays – as hard as they are going, you have to go hard too.” Before his Fort Mohave win, Mize was 30th in the 2019 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $14,171 and 28th in the Xtreme Bulls Standings with $3,948. Now, he can add $12,149 to each of those. “It’s always good to get a jump at the beginning of the year, but I try not to look at it or pay attention to it too much,” Mize said. “It definitely feels good and helps you not worry much and gives you money to travel.” Although he’s still relatively new to ProRodeo, Mize is well versed with travel delays, and his story has been a unique one. In February 2018, Mize and then-traveling partner Clayton Sellars missed their flight to the final go-round at the Yuma (Ariz.) Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo. Mize quickly learned he was one month too young to rent a car. But there was a loophole – they could rent a U-Haul, and that’s how they got to the rodeo in time. Now, 13 months later, Mize is 22. This meant he could rent a car to get himself and Oakley from L.A. to Fort Mohave. “I’m definitely used to it – every time I try to fly it’s something,” Mize laughed. “I like driving because it’s easier. Hopefully the rest of the year is smoother.” The harshness and grit of rodeo isn’t limited GETTINGTHERE

Jerry Honeycutt, left, of Honeycutt Rodeo, poses with Fort Mohave Classic Xtreme Bulls winner Tristan Mize. Dale Miller photo

ProRodeo Sports News 3/8/2019

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