ProRodeo Sports News - Oct. 18, 2024

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Jax Mills, 20, had a Resistol Rookie season to remember. The Montgomery, Texas, bull rider just wrapped up his first season of PRORODEO sitting top 50 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $52,846. His biggest payday during the 2024 season came by finishing second at the Bulls in the Ballpark event in Round Rock, Texas. Mills pocketed $8,270 for his 86-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Six Shooter. He finished sixth in the race for the Bull Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year title.

JAX MILLS

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Jax: When I was growing up my dad was riding bareback horses. So, I always saw him doing it and I grew up around rodeo. Rodeo was something I always wanted to do, and I just started riding bulls. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Jax: I won my (Texas) State Finals in high school rodeo and did pretty good at Nationals. After that I told myself there was no looking back. I told myself you got this, and you can make it as a pro. Why did you decide bull riding would be your event?

Jax: With my dad being on the roughstock end of the arena that’s what I grew up trying. I didn’t like bareback horses at all. I liked bull riding. I liked the adrenaline rush it gave me and just stuck to bull riding from that point. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Jax: I did some bareback riding in practice pens, and I didn’t like it very much. I didn’t like getting jerked down and popping out. I just stuck to the bull riding. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card last season? Jax: I was always told that there’s no sense in putting stuff off, so that’s one of the reasons I got my card. If you’re putting stuff off that just means you don’t believe in yourself. So, I just bought my card when I could because I believed I had it in me to win. What did you learn during your Resistol Rookie season? Jax: I definitely learned that you are going to put a lot of stress on your body between the driving and the rodeos every day during the summer. It’s going to be difficult on you, you just have to keep your head up and keep going at every bull. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Jax: A few guys that I’ve always looked up to are Parker McCown and Boudreaux Campbell. I grew up right around them and always going to their houses to get on practice bulls. They have always just helped me with my career. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Jax: Houston is the one rodeo I really want to win. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to quit until I win it. I grew up 45 minutes from Houston and that’s what I consider my hometown rodeo. What’s your favorite movie? Jax: I think I’d have to go with Gladiator . What’s your go-to restaurant before or after a rodeo? Jax: When I’m back home it’s probably McDonalds or something like that. But if I’m up north we are probably stopping at In-N-Out Burger. What’s the first vehicle you drove? Jax: It was a 2013 Chevy Silverado. I put a lot of miles on that thing.

Do you have a favorite candy? Jax: Let’s go with Peach Rings.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Jax: I like to go golfing when I can and if we’re not rodeoing, we will just go drive around the new cities we are in. What’s your favorite holiday? Jax: Christmas would be my favorite holiday because we get to celebrate Jesus. What type of music do you like listening to? Jax: Country music is definitely my go-to whenever I’m listening to music. Right now, my favorite band is probably Treaty Oak Revival.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/18/2024

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