JB Mauney is a two-time PBR World Champion bull rider (2013, 2015) who earned over $7.4 million in career earnings, making him the highest-paid Western sports athlete in history. Known as “The Dragon Slayer,” he famously ended Bushwacker’s 42-ride buckoff streak and retired in 2023 after a neck injury. He now coaches the Oklahoma Wildcatters in the PBR Team Series.
Who is JB Mauney?
James Burton Mauney stands as one of the most fearless competitors professional bull riding has ever witnessed. Born January 9, 1987, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mauney turned an early passion into a record-breaking career that changed bull riding forever.
Mauney joined the PBR in 2005 and won Rookie of the Year in his first season. What set him apart wasn’t just his skill. He became known for deliberately choosing the most difficult bulls, stating, “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to ride the best”.
The North Carolina cowboy stood just 5’10” and weighed 140 pounds, but his slight frame carried an outsized competitive spirit. At age 13, he rode his first “big” bull after being mentored by 1995 World Champion Jerome Davis. That early start shaped a career defined by toughness and an unwillingness to back down.
The Bushwacker Rivalry That Made History
No moment defines JB Mauney’s career more than his battles with Bushwacker, arguably the greatest bucking bull ever.
Bushwacker was a three-time PBR World Champion Bull who maintained a 96.969% buckoff rate during his elite career. Only three riders ever completed an 8-second ride on him. Mauney was one of them.
On August 17, 2013, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mauney broke Bushwacker’s 42-consecutive premier series buckoff streak with a 95.25-point ride. The bull scored 46.75 points on the ride. The crowd erupted. Announcers shouted. Bull riding history changed.
What makes this achievement remarkable goes beyond the score. Mauney faced Bushwacker 13 times throughout his career, and the bull’s brand number was also 13. The ride happened in 2013. Even the location, Tulsa, Oklahoma, contains 13 letters.
After the historic ride, Mauney told CBS News he got “a little luckier that day” and described Bushwacker as “so big and strong” with intelligence that made him nearly unbeatable.
The rivalry benefited both legends. Stock contractor Julio Moreno believes the ride made Bushwacker even more popular and cemented Mauney as “the rider that rides the unrideables”.
Championships and Career Milestones
Mauney’s trophy case tells the story of sustained excellence few can match.
World Championships
He won PBR World Championships in 2013 and 2015, recording 538 qualified premier series rides in his career (second all-time in PBR), including 75 90-point rides.
His 2013 championship run came shortly after conquering Bushwacker. That year, he earned $1.8 million, including $1.385 million at the PBR World Finals alone.
Record-Breaking Achievements
In 2009, Mauney became the first rider to record a qualified ride on all eight of his bulls at the PBR World Finals. This perfect performance showcased his consistency under pressure.
He tied Justin McBride for the most Premier Series wins in PBR history with 32 victories. Each win required conquering the toughest bulls available.
In 2016, Mauney made history as the first bull rider to reach $7 million in career earnings. This milestone stood until 2025.
Riding the Unrideable
Mauney built his reputation by seeking out bulls others avoided. He was one of only five riders to successfully ride Asteroid, the 2012 World Champion bull, scoring 93.50 points in San Antonio in August 2012.
His philosophy remained consistent throughout his career. While most champions draft bulls strategically for business reasons, Mauney always chose the baddest bull available. As he once said, he’d “rather get dragged to death than starve to death.”
The Injuries That Came With Greatness
Bull riding demands a physical toll few sports can match. Mauney paid that price repeatedly.
In 2005, when he was 18, a bull stomped his chest, breaking ribs and lacerating his liver. He was hospitalized for 10 days and missed four months of competition.
In 2017, he suffered a significant right arm injury requiring surgery to install a screw and 13 anchors. Most riders would have retired. Mauney returned.
He suffered a serious back injury in April 2018 but fought through recovery to continue competing. When asked about riding despite injuries, he told Forbes: “For some reason I’ve always fought through it; I’m hard-headed, I guess. A lot of times I shouldn’t have ridden, but I still did.”
The Career-Ending Injury
On September 6, 2023, during a PRCA ProRodeo event in Lewiston, Idaho, a bull named Arctic Assassin threw Mauney squarely onto his head, breaking his neck.
He tried to raise his head, and pain shot through his neck like a hot knife. Following advice from his mentor, Jerome Davis, who had been paralyzed by a bull, Mauney somehow got up and walked out of the arena with help.
Four days later, he announced his retirement. “This is not the way I wanted to go, but everything happens for a reason,” he said.
In a gesture that speaks to his character, Mauney purchased Arctic Assassin in early 2024. The now-retired bull lives out his days on Mauney’s ranch in Stephenville, Texas.
Life After the Ride: Coaching the Oklahoma Wildcatters
Retirement from riding didn’t mean leaving bull riding behind.
In 2024, Mauney returned to the PBR as head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters, one of two new teams in the PBR Team Series. The team is owned by professional golfer Talor Gooch.
Building a Young, Tough Team
Mauney’s coaching philosophy focuses on finding “young, gritty, tough guys,” explaining, “You can teach someone how to ride bulls, but you can’t teach the try part. They’re either born with it or not”.
The Wildcatters roster reflects this vision. The team selected 18-year-old Hagen Braswell, 20-year-old Kase Hitt, and 18-year-old JC Guiton, among other promising young riders.
Coaching With the Same Fearlessness
During a 2024 event, when Guiton’s bull threatened to trample him after a buckoff, Mauney leaped into the arena and used his body to shield his rider from injury. The team was fined, but Mauney protected his cornerstone player.
“It’s a game of inches,” Mauney explained. “That bull steps on you the wrong way, you’re done.”
The Challenges of Coaching
Mauney admits coaching is “the most stressful thing I’ve ever done,” adding, “I would rather be riding”. The transition from individual competitor to team leader requires different skills.
During their inaugural 2024 season, the Wildcatters went 11-16-1, finishing 8th in the league. While not the championship Mauney hoped for, he’s committed to building something special.
In December 2024, reflecting on his first coaching season, Mauney said: “If a guy gets bucked off, I can’t do nothing about it. The day they put me in the grave, I’ll still be wanting to get on bulls”.
JB Mauney’s Net Worth and Earnings
Mauney is the highest-earning Western sports athlete in history, with career PBR earnings totaling $7,419,474.90. His combined PBR and PRCA earnings exceed $7.6 million.
How He Built His Fortune
His earning timeline shows consistent excellence:
- 2006: Earned $66,616.50 as PBR Rookie of the Year
- 2013: Won $1.8 million, including his first world championship
- 2015: Secured his second world championship and over $1.5 million
- 2016: Became the first bull rider to reach $7 million in career earnings
Beyond Prize Money
Mauney built wealth through multiple revenue streams:
- Major sponsorships with Monster Energy, YETI, Wrangler, and American Hat Company
- Coaching salary with the Oklahoma Wildcatters
- Co-ownership of Ultimate Bullfighters (UBF), a freestyle bullfighting organization founded in 2020
- His Stephenville, Texas, ranch, known as Bucktown XV
- Merchandise sales and social media endorsements
Current estimates place his net worth between $7 million and $10 million as of 2025.
Awards and Hall of Fame Honors
Mauney’s legacy is permanently cemented in bull riding history.
In 2024, he was inducted into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame. In 2025, he received the PBR Ring of Honor, regarded as the highest honor for a professional bull rider following retirement.
The 2025 Heroes & Legends Ceremony was held July 10 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, ahead of the Wildcatters’ homestand.
In 2023, Mauney was ranked No. 9 on the list of the top 30 bull riders in PBR history.
Personal Life and Family
Behind the tough cowboy exterior lives a dedicated family man.
Mauney was married to Lexie Wiggley from 2012 to 2015. In 2017, he married Samantha Lyne, a barrel racer and the daughter of legendary cowboy Phil Lyne.
On January 23, 2019, Mauney and Samantha had their first son together. He also has a daughter born in 2011 from a previous relationship.
The family lived in Mooresville, North Carolina, for years before moving to Cotulla, Texas. In late 2020, they purchased property in Stephenville, Texas, relocating there in early 2022.
In summer 2024, Mauney proudly showed footage of his five-year-old son, Jagger Briggs, riding calves on the family property. Despite his son’s early interest, Mauney avoids any “next JB” talk, saying: “Maybe he’ll ride, or maybe he’ll play piano or something. Either way, I’ll be proud of him.”
The Dragon Slayer’s Lasting Impact
JB Mauney’s influence extends beyond statistics and championships.
He redefined what it means to be fearless in a sport built on danger. While modern bull riders practice yoga and meditation, Mauney chain-smoked Marlboros and rode the rankest bulls available. When asked about his unconventional lifestyle, Wildcatters GM Brandon Bates admitted: “I had this vision of what a champion athlete should be, and J.B. was really the antithesis of that, at least on the outside”.
Yet that authenticity made him a fan favorite. He never pretended to be something he wasn’t.
His willingness to ride impossible bulls inspired a generation. When drafting bulls for championship rounds, Mauney would say: “When you feel good, you ride good. I’m picking the way J.B. picks,” – meaning big picks in big moments.
Two-time world champion Justin McBride summed it up best, calling Mauney “in a class of his own” and “the best bull rider of his generation.”
What’s Next for JB Mauney?
The Dragon Slayer’s story continues beyond his riding career.
As he builds the Oklahoma Wildcatters, Mauney faces new challenges. Team dynamics differ from individual competition. Managing young riders requires patience; he’s still developing.
He’s also staying connected through his training facility, Bucktown, and his podcast, MauneyCast. These platforms let him share knowledge with serious students of the sport.
After Bushwacker died on July 2, 2024, at age 18, Mauney attended the bull’s memorial events and spoke fondly about his longtime rival. “I hung on to him long enough for them to say I made the whistle, but in my eyes, he is the greatest bucking bull there will ever be.”
FAQs
Is JB Mauney still bull riding?
No, JB Mauney retired from professional bull riding in September 2023 after suffering a broken neck. He now serves as head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters in the PBR Team Series.
How much money did JB Mauney make in bull riding?
JB Mauney earned $7,419,474.90 in PBR career earnings, making him the highest-paid bull rider in history. His combined PBR and PRCA earnings exceed $7.6 million.
Did JB Mauney ride Bushwacker?
Yes, on August 17, 2013, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, JB Mauney became one of only three riders to complete an 8-second ride on Bushwacker, scoring 95.25 points and ending the bull’s 42-ride buckoff streak.
What happened to JB Mauney?
On September 6, 2023, a bull named Arctic Assassin broke Mauney’s neck during a PRCA ProRodeo event in Lewiston, Idaho. The injury forced his retirement from professional bull riding.
How old is JB Mauney?
JB Mauney was born January 9, 1987, making him 38 years old as of 2025.
Where does JB Mauney live?
JB Mauney lives on a ranch in Stephenville, Texas, known as Bucktown XV. Arctic Assassin, the bull that ended his career, also lives on the property.
The Dragon Slayer’s Legacy
JB Mauney rewrote what was possible in professional bull riding. He proved that raw talent combined with fearless determination could conquer bulls deemed unridable. His $7.4 million in career earnings set a standard that stood for years.
But numbers don’t capture the full story. Mauney changed how riders approach the sport. He showed that choosing the hardest path often leads to the greatest rewards. His battles with Bushwacker gave bull riding one of its defining rivalries.
Now, as he shapes the next generation through coaching, the Dragon Slayer’s influence continues. Young riders on the Oklahoma Wildcatters learn from someone who lived the cowboy code completely. Toughness. Authenticity. Never backing down.
Whether judged by championships, earnings, or the respect of his peers, JB Mauney stands among bull riding’s all-time greats. His story reminds us that legends aren’t born from playing it safe. They’re forged by facing the biggest challenges available – and refusing to let go until the whistle blows.
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