TJ Gray had a strong 2023 regular season, earning $93,000 and finishing No. 22 in the PRCA Bull Riding World Standings. However, one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season is Gray’s meteoric rise—after never qualifying for the NFR, he now holds the top spot in a wide-open bull riding race.
Gray dominated in the regular season, earning over $244,000 thanks to PRCA-leading five Playoff Series wins.
St. Paul Rodeo, $11,222
After a strong showing throughout the Texas Swing, Gray kept his season rolling at the St. Paul Rodeo over the Fourth of July, where he was 85.5 points to get the win. Gray earned $11,222 and proved he would be a major factor in the bull riding race throughout the season.
After Cowboy Christmas, he went from No. 13 to No. 8 in the PRCA World Standings. And from there, it was one.
Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, $18,050
One of the most lucrative rodeos of the year for Gray came at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo where he took home over $18,000. Gray opened the rodeo with an 87.5-point ride on Yealwolf to earn $5,000 as the only cowboy to ride in the First Performance. In the Finals, Gray added an 85.5-point to win rodeo’s only Gold Medal.
Cheyenne Frontier Days, $10,627
TJ Gray’s dominance continued on the biggest stages. This time it came at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo where he took home over $10,000 and was crowned champion. Gray’s first two rides were good enough to get him to the Finals, but neither was above the 84-point mark. That would change in the Finals, where he was 90 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ No Doze. Gray won the rodeo by two points and was one of two bull riders in the 90s over nine perfs.
Pendleton Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale, $11,381
Gray made good money throughout the year at Xtreme Bulls events which he capped off with a nice showing at the Tour Finale in Pendleton, Oregon. Gray opened up with an 81-point ride which was good for seventh in Round 1. In Round 2, he placed fifth with an 83-point ride. After not placing in Round 3, Gray placed second in Round 4 with an 89-point ride. Gray would also place fifth in the average after going 253 on three.
North Dakota Roughrider Cup, $17,879
Gray was crowned the inaugural North Dakota Roughrider Cup Champion after his 88-point ride on Time In A Bottle. Gray took home nearly $18,000 and made a big jump in the standings. While he still wasn’t No. 1, the top spot was now in reach.
Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, $14,611
Gray ended the season in Sioux Falls, where he would do just enough to officially claim No. 1 after a September-long battle with Hayes Weight and Jace Trosclair. Gray went 1-for-3 at the rodeo, but his one ride was a big one. He was 91.5 points on Hard Rock to win the second round and jump to the No. 1 spot in the PRCA World Standings.
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