6 7 THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO | FWSSR CHAMPION’S SATURDAY “I was in a dark hole there for a while,” said Potter, who finished 45th in the standings in 2023 and 24th in 2024. “This rodeo has changed it around. I’ve been in the gym, dialed in and was ready for more.” And more was what he got as he was the only bull rider to ride all four of bulls, capping it off with the high score of 89.5 points in the final round on Sutton Rodeo’s Mr. Demon to win $20,000. Added to his earlier bracket and semi-finals earnings, Potter took home the biggest paycheck of the tournament at $30,333. Watch Potter’s final ride. TRIUMPHANT RETURN Shad “Money” Mayfield served notice, and served it quick, that he was going to be the one to beat at the 2025 FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament when he scorched the tie-down roping competition in bracket one, round one with a time of 7.2, matching the arena record set by Matt Shiozawa in 2020 and Bryson Sechrist in 2022. Watch the record run. The New Mexico transplant now living in Lipan, Texas, made it a triumphant return to Dickies Arena with a consistency he cultivated on his way to becoming the 2024 PRCA All Around Champion, subsequently roping in times of 8.4 and 8.6 before wrapping up in final calf in a time of 7.6, just a hair faster than second-place finisher Kyle Lucas of Carstairs, Alberta, Canada who roped a 7.7. “This is awesome,” said Mayfield, who earned a total of $28,433. “I love Fort Worth. It is one of the most prestigious rodeos in the world and to win it two years in a row is even better, especially on my good horse, Lollipop.” RISING TO THE MOMENT The third-highest money earner of the Tournament was Josie Conner of Iowa, La., with a total of $28,017. She was one of only three breakaway ropers to rope in a time of less than two seconds throughout the 16-day run and she did it when it really counted, roping in a time of 1.8 seconds to take the final round and $20,000. Conner stayed in the hunt throughout the tournament, roping with times of 2.3 and 2.1 before making it to the semi-finals, which she won with a time of 2.4. The final round proved to be a tough one for the final eight competitors, as the majority fell victim to broken barriers and illegal catches, with only three making qualifying runs. “I’ve never had a good winter before and this is a great way to start it out at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo,” said the 21-year-old who was first out in the final round. “I try to do my job every time and that horse [Stylish Drifter “Dutch”] makes it pretty easy. “ See the final throw. MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 16 - February 7, 2026 www.fwssr.com Shad “Money” Mayfield of Lipan, Texas., matched the arena record of 7.2 seconds in the first round. Josie Conner of Iowa, La., took home the third largest paycheck of the rodeo with a total of $28,017 after a smoking 1.8 second finish in the final round. BAREBACK BRONC RIDING PRESENTED BY FROST Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis. — $26,136 STEER WRESTLING PRESENTED BY BNSF RAILWAY Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore. — $25,818 BREAKAWAY ROPING PRESENTED BY BOOT BARN® Josie Conner, Iowa, La. — $28,017 SADDLE BRONC RIDING PRESENTED BY TX WHISKEY Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho — $27,636 TIE DOWN ROPING PRESENTED BY R. WATSON BOOTS Shad Mayfield, Lipan, Texas — $28,433 TEAM ROPING PRESENTED BY UMB BANK Tanner Tomlinson, Mineral Wells, Texas Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. — $25,350 each BARREL RACING PRESENTED BY CHASE Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas — $27,700 BULL RIDING PRESENTED BY MATTRESS FIRM® Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas — $30,333 TOTAL PAYOUT: $1,503,000 2025 FWSSR PRORODEO TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS James Phifer photos
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