PublicationProRodeo Sports News - March 22, 2019

GRILLE COWBOY

SHADMAYFIELD, an 18-year-old from Clovis, N.M., is in the midst of a successful rookie season. As of March 19, he was second in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings in tie-down roping with $14,005. Mayfield, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds, is following in the footsteps of his father, Sylvester, who qualified twice for the National Finals Rodeo in 1985 and 1987.

WITH TRACY RENCK PSN

Is rodeo something you’ve done ever since you were a little kid? Shad: Yes, it was. My dad got me going and helped me every step along the way. I want to follow in his footsteps. He’s my idol. Did you always want to be a tie-down roper? Shad: Yes. That’s what my dad did, so that’s what I was around my whole life. I enjoy the athletic part and the mindset. You have to have a good mental game in (tie-down roping) and have to be athletic to do it. It’s probably the toughest event rodeo has going right now. What’s it like living and growing up in Clovis, N.M.? Shad: It’s really a team roping town. There are a lot of team ropers who live here. My dad was born and raised in Clovis, and I was born and raised there as well. It’s where I call home, and I travel all over the place to go to rodeos. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Shad: Yes. I have a sister, Shelby, and she’s 19. She is a barrel racer, and she’s on the rodeo team at Texas Tech University. From your perspective, how has your rookie year gone so far?

Shad: It has been good. I’m sitting right around the Top 25 in the world standings and I got into San Antonio and I did good there. The first rodeo I went to – the Denver Qualifier – I filled my permit, so I just decided to buy my card. I’m going to go all year and hopefully get a chance to make the National Finals Rodeo. The coolest part of being a PRCA cowboy is getting to travel and seeing different places. What would be going through your mind if you were able to compete at the 2019 Wrangler NFR?

Shad: I’ve been there and watched the NFR – I was there last year watching it. If I made it, I think I would be nervous, and it would be humbling. It would certainly mean a lot for me to be there because it is something I’ve always worked for.

What did it feel like to win $10,000 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in February? Shad: That was a big rodeo. I was just glad to be a part of it and rope against those guys and former world champions. I really liked the atmosphere there, and it was pretty cool to get to rope at the home of the San Antonio Spurs. When 2013 Tie-down Roping World Champion Shane Hanchey won the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Feb. 23, he gave you high praise. What does that mean to you? Shad: That feels good to have Shane say good things about me. I’ve looked up to all those guys my whole life, and to be able to rope against them and follow in their footsteps is something to be proud of. What horse are you riding?

Shad: I’m riding a horse I own. His name is Cracker. He’s 14. I’ve had him about six months, and I started out the year on him. He’s working great, and he’s a big part of my success. His best quality is probably the fact that he works the same every time, and I trust him. Who are your favorite sports teams? Shad: The Denver Broncos and the Golden State Warriors. When I was a little kid, I had a friend who liked the Broncos and he got me started liking the Broncos. I’ve liked them ever since. Golden State I like because they are a winning a team. What is your favorite restaurant? Shad: Raising Cane’s (Chicken Fingers). I get the chicken strips and sweet tea to drink. What is your favorite dessert? Shad: Pumpkin pie. I try to eat it year-round, but I do eat a lot of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. What is your go-to movie? Shad: Let me think about this. I think it would probably be 8 Seconds . I’ve seen that movie too many times to count. What was your favorite cartoon to watch growing up? Shad: Scooby-Doo! I was always interested in watching that cartoon.

What was the best birthday gift you received? Shad: I got a four-wheeler for my birthday this year.

SHAD MAYFIELD

If you had your choice to listen to one song, what would it be? Shad : Still the Same by Bob Seger. I’ve always liked Bob Seger.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/22/2019

ProRodeo.com

8