At just 19 years old, Shad Mayfield is currently the biggest name in tie-down roping. Not only is he No. 1 in the World Standings, he set a new PRCA record in February for the most money accrued that early in the season, having earned more than $75,000. After his win at RFD-TV’s The American this past weekend, Shad continues to sit securely at the top of the leaderboard, now with a total of $130, 700.52. (Next in line is Tuf Cooper with $42,534.86.)
Even with his spot at the 2020 NFR all but certain, there’s no indication that Shad “Money” Mayfield will be slowing down anytime soon.
“You gotta set big goals to accomplish them,” he says. “I set a big goal last year of making the NFR, and I got that done. My goal this year is to win the world — and I mean, that’s the hardest thing to do, so we will see what we can do.”
The son of former tie-down roper Sylvester Mayfield, Shad started roping when he was just seven years old.
“He was raised to rope,” says world champion Monty Lewis. “Sylver’s had big plans for him since the time he was hatched.”
“From the start, he put a lot of pressure on me,” says Shad. “It was a good thing though because he taught me so much.”
The lessons have taken, and the hard work has paid off. So far this year, Shad has won in San Antonio, Kansas City, and at The American. In San Angelo, he earned the Cinch Chute-Out buckle with a time of 7.75 seconds, besting roping legend Marty Yates and hometown favorite Ty Harris.
“Amazing talent, we all know that,” says Tyson Durfey. “Yah know, we knew that when he was 17 years old, the first time he competed at The American. And back then, he was all about speed, but now he’s really matured into this athlete that’s consistent and yet super, super fast. I don’t think you see athletes like that come around in any sport.”
As Cory Solomon says, Shad Money Mayfield has a “bright, bright future.”
Photos | Jake Link Photography
