ProRodeo Sports News - September 1, 2023

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Mason: I grew up rodeoing, all of my family rodeoed. When I was younger, I used to look up to all of my siblings that were out there doing it. I think I just picked it up from there at a young age and ran with it. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Mason: When I was 15 years old, I went to some open bull ridings and had some success. I got hurt that next year and had to sit out. After that I decided to quit the other sports I was competing in and focus on bull riding. It was pretty much at that point when I decided I was going to put everything into rodeo and go make a living doing it. Why did you decide bull riding would be your event? highlighted by winning the Sitting Bull Stampede and earning $9,202. As of Aug. 31, Moody currently sits 39th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and fifth in the running for the Resistol Rookie of the Year. Mason Moody, 20, got his 2023 ProRodeo season kicked off by finishing fourth at the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals last October. But it wasn’t until recently that he caught fire on the PRCA trail. In the past two months, the Letcher, S.D., bull rider has won $46,777,

MASON MOODY

Mason: My parents used to say when I was younger, I’d leave before the rodeo started and not come back until after the bull riding. I would go behind the bucking chutes and hangout with all the older guys that rode bulls. It was something I always wanted to do, and I fell in love with it I guess you could say. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Mason: In high school, I roped calves and also team roped a little bit. In junior high, I pretty much did every event there was. I always knew bull riding would be the event for me though in the long run. What’s this season been like for you? Mason: I decided to ProRodeo about midway through the season. Since about mid-June, I’ve won about $45,000 and it’s been really good. I know it’s a long shot for me to make the NFR, but you can’t count yourself out until the end of September. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Mason: It would definitely be special to win a big rodeo like Cheyenne (Wyo.) or Salt Lake City (Utah). At the end of the day, it’s always cool to do well at what you consider your hometown rodeo. So, Mitchell (S.D.) would also be up there for me. Who’s someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo? Mason: When I was a kid, I grew up about 10 miles from Charlie Zoss. At the time he was still ProRodeoing quite a bit. I didn’t really know him until I turned 13. He took me under his wing and really helped me with bull riding. He’s just always been there for me, and it always helps having a guy like that in your corner. What’s your go-to restaurant when you’re out on the road? Mason: I don’t really get to pick because my traveling partner (Jeff Bertus) is a big Subway and Cracker Barrel person. So, if we drive past any of those, I know we are stopping. What’s your go-to movie? Mason: When I was a kid it was definitely 8 Seconds , but anymore my go-to movie is probably Happy Gilmore . What was the make and model of the first vehicle you drove? Mason: It was a 2004 GMC Sierra half-ton pickup. Somehow, it’s still a farm pickup at the house. When you’re not rodeoing, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Mason: We like to do a lot of golfing when we have some down time or go to the lake and take a dip in it. What’s your favorite holiday? Mason: I’d probably have to go with Easter. Just because the real meaning of Easter is something that means a lot to me and my family. What type of music do you like listening to? Mason: When we are traveling, anything and everything gets played through that radio. But when I’m at home it’s usually country music that I have going through the speakers.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/1/2023

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