Why J.B. Mauney intentionally chose the most difficult bulls to ride throughout his career
In short: Known as the Dragonslayer, J.B. Mauney defined a generation of bull riding by aggressively pursuing the sport's toughest animals. His philosophy was simple: to be the best, one must conquer the best. This relentless drive led to two world championships and a record-setting career that transformed professional rodeo history.
Born in 1987 in Charlotte, North Carolina, James Burton Mauney began his professional journey in the PBR in 2005, quickly earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2006. Over a career spanning nearly two decades, he became a legend by consistently selecting the rankest bulls available, particularly in championship rounds. His rivalry with the three-time world champion bull Bushwacker, whom he faced 13 times, remains a hallmark of his career. In 2013, he became one of only three riders to successfully stay on the bull for the full eight seconds.
Mauney’s career was marked by both immense success and physical toll. He secured PBR world championship titles in 2013 and 2015 and became the first rider to surpass $7 million in career earnings in 2016. However, his body endured significant damage, including a 2017 arm injury requiring 13 anchors and a screw. His riding career ended abruptly in September 2023 after a wreck in Lewiston, Idaho, left him with a broken neck, requiring surgery to install rods and plates. Remarkably, he later purchased the bull that ended his career, Arctic Assassin, to live out its days on his ranch.
Following his retirement, Mauney transitioned into coaching, serving as the head coach for the Oklahoma Wildcatters in the PBR Team Series from 2024 until February 2026. He stepped down to focus on his family and his BuckTown XV Ranch, where he continues to raise bucking bulls and mentor upcoming riders. With 32 Premier Series wins and 75 90-point rides, Mauney is widely regarded as one of the greatest bull riders in PBR history, leaving behind a legacy of grit and an uncompromising commitment to the sport’s highest level of difficulty.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: J.B. Mauney
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