Shad Mayfield can be seen wearing an American 100x black felt hat during the colder months but said he would wear a felt year-round if Texas did not reach the scorching temperatures that it does. “I have been with American Hat’s since junior high,” said the 5x Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “They have believed in me every step of the way. “American is all I have ever worn,” he added. “Their quality is the best, for sure.”
Son of Sylvester Mayfield, a two-time WNFR qualifier, Shad ‘Money’ Mayfield said he knew from a young age that he loved the competitiveness that rodeo brought to his life. “I have always been very competitive,” he said. “When I went to the junior rodeos, I entered every event, and I loved getting the chance to compete against everyone.”
Mayfield’s competitive edge sets him apart from other Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association athletes. So much so that at the start of the 2020 WNFR, he led the tie-down roping by $89.479.
“I always said when I turned 18, I was going to buy my card and rodeo,” he said. “So, that’s what I did. My dad rodeoed with me for my first year.” His start in the PRCA was slow. He said he was lucky enough to win money during the spring and early summer, but it was not until later that year Mayfield realized he had a chance at making his first WNFR.
“It wasn’t until late summertime when I placed at Cheyenne, and that gave me a good jump in the world standings and put me in the top 20, that I realized I had shot at the finals,” Mayfield said. “I was actually up at the high school finals and Cheyenne at the same time.” Mayfield was riding the bubble in the 15th spot during the last week of rodeos before the season ended.
Fred Whitfield and Sad Mayfield at the 2023 NFR Buckle Ceremony. Photo Courtesy of Kristen Schurr
“It was a lot for a young kid, thinking about if I didn’t make it,” he said. “There were a lot of ‘what ifs’ in that time. So, I took that week at home to practice really hard and tried to stay positive.”
After winning and placing at several rodeos in the last week of the 2019 rodeo season, Mayfield qualified for his first NFR. He ended the year 12th in the world standings after placing in two rounds. At the start of 2020, he won the San Antonio PRCA Rodeo and The American. He estimated this put him around $100,000 in winnings.
“I was at the Houston rodeo when everything started shutting down,” he said. “Covid slowed down the whole rodeo season for everyone, but it really put a stop to a lot of goals I could have accomplished that year with the momentum I had.” He went on to win his first world title in Globe Life Field at the 2020 WNFR. While thankful for the win, he said it is still at the top of his goal list to win a gold buckle in the infamous Thomas and Mac Event Center.
“I always watched the NFR there as a kid,” he said. “Watching Cody [Ohl], Fred [Whitfield], and Joe Beaver in the Thomas and Mac as a kid, that feeling of being there is like no other.”
Since his first NFR, Mayfield has had five consecutive finals qualifications and won over a million dollars in his pro rodeo career. This year is looking a little different for the 23-year-old cowboy. “I have always been tight in my hips, but this year at the finals, they really affected me,” he said. “I went to my doctor, and he told me I’d have to have surgery on both of them due to torn labrum and impingements.”
He originally planned to have the surgeries after Rodeo Houston this year. However, after revisiting with his doctor and surgeon, he elected to hold off until after the 2024 rodeo season and NFR.
Mayfield said he is working to maintain his health and focus on not worsening his hip conditions. He is doing all of this in hopes of achieving his dream of winning that gold buckle in the Thomas and Mac.
-Article Courtesy of Charity Pulliam
