Who Is the Best Rodeo Rider of All Time? There is no single “best” here, but J.B. Mauney (The “Dragon Slayer”) is often called the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) for his PBR championships, record earnings, and fearless riding of legendary bulls like Bushwacker while legends likeTy Murray (The “King”) , Tuff Hedman, and modern stars like Jose Vitor Leme & Justin McBride are also in the conversation for their greatness and impact on the sport.
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In the world of rodeo, “the greatest of all time” often depends on whether you value total world titles, multiple eventing prowess, or career earnings and modern dominance.
The top contenders for greatest rodeo rider of all time include:
1. Trevor Brazile: The Statistically Greatest
Trevor Brazile is widely considered the greatest rodeo cowboy due to his unparalleled record of 26 PRCA World Championships.
- Record holder: He holds the record for the most world titles in any professional sport, including 14 all-around cowboy titles.
- Versatility: Known as a “timed-event” king, he dominated in steer roping, tie-down roping, and team roping.
2. Ty Murray: The Roughstock King
Known as the “King of the Cowboys,” Ty Murray is celebrated for his dominance in “roughstock” events (riding on animals rather than riding them).
- Championships: He won 9 PRCA World Championships, including 7 all-around titles (1989–1994, 1998) and 2 bull riding titles.
- Historical Impact: He is one of the few cowboys to successfully compete at the elite level in all three roughstock events: bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding.
3. J.B. Mauney: The “Dragon Slayer”
JB Mauney is often cited as the greatest bull rider in particular, known for his courage and for choosing the most difficult bulls to ride.
- Records: He is tied for the most career event wins (32) in Professional Bull Riders (PBR) history and was the first rider to reach 500 qualifying rides in the Premier Series.
- Earnings: He was the highest-earning Western sportsman in history with over $7.6 million until he was surpassed by Jose Vitor Leme in 2025.
Don Gay: The Bull Riding Legend
Before the modern PBR era, Don Gay set the gold standard for bull riding.
- World Titles: He holds the record for the most PRCA Bull Riding World Championships with 8 titles (won between 1974 and 1984).
- Legendary Ride: He famously scored 97 points on the legendary bull Oscar in 1977.
5. Stetson Wright: The Modern Phenom
As of December 2025, Stetson Wright is rapidly climbing the all-time ranks.
- Current dominance: He has already won 9 PRCA World Championships by the age of 26, including 6 consecutive all-around titles (2019–2024).
- 2025 status: He finished the 2025 season as the PRCA all-around and bull riding world champion.
Jim Shoulders: The “Babe Ruth of Rodeo”
Often cited as the standard, Jim Shoulders won an unprecedented 16 world championships. His titles include five all-around crowns, seven in bull riding, and four in back-back bronc riding. A charter member of the Rodeo Hall of Fame, he was called “the greatest rodeo cowboy of all time” by Hall spokesman Jim Bainbridge.
Larry Mahan
A six-time all-around world champion (1966-1971) and cultural icon who inspired a generation.
Case Studies and Comparison
When we apply our criteria, a nuanced picture emerges:
| Cowboy | World Titles | Key Events | Era | Legacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Shoulders | 16 | All-Around, Bull Riding, Bareback | 1940s-1960s | “Babe Ruth of Rodeo,” set the original benchmark. |
| Ty Murray | 9 | All-Around, Bull Riding | 1980s-2000s | “King of Cowboys,” roughstock versatility, major popularizer. |
| Trevor Brazile | 26 | All-Around, Timed Events | 2000s-2020s | Statistical GOAT, redefined all-around dominance in timed events. |
The Brazilian’s 26 titles are unmatched, but his expertise lies in the roping. For many purists, the classic image of the rodeo cowboy is rooted in the high-risk challenge of raw, roughstock events — the domain where Shoulders and Murray built their legends.
Expert Opinions
The rodeo community itself often points to Jim Shoulders as a seminal figure. After weighing the Omak Stampede analysis, standards, and legacy, it concludes that “the honor of greatest rodeo cowboy of all time goes to Jim Shoulders.” This view emphasizes the dominance of his rough stock and role in shaping the sport’s early professional era.
Understanding Rodeo Scoring and Rules
To appreciate a champion’s accomplishments, you must understand the field they conquered.
Scoring: In rough stock events, rides are scored out of 100 points: 50 for the rider’s control, balance and springing technique, and 50 for the animal’s bucking power and difficulty. A perfect score is 100, but anything in the 80s or 90s is unusual.
Key Rules and Penalties: The most basic rule is the 8-second ride. If a rider does not stay still for eight seconds, he receives no points. Other major violations include:
- Touching the animal, yourself or its equipment with your free hand.
- Failure to “mark out” in bronc riding (placing spurs over the horse’s shoulders as it leaves the reins).
- Breaking a barrier in scheduled events, which carries a 10-second penalty.
Safety in Rodeo
Rodeo is an inherently dangerous sport, but extensive rules and equipment protect both cowboys and cattle. The PRCA has more than 70 rules to protect the welfare of the animals and the safety of the competitors. Essential safety equipment for rodeo riders includes:
- Protective vests: To absorb impact from kicks or falls.
- Helmets: Increasingly common, especially in bull riding.
- Chaps: Thick leather leg protection.
- Mouthguards and joint tape to prevent injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions for Who Is the Best Rodeo Rider of All Time?
Aren’t more championships automatically better?
Not necessarily. While quantity matters, the nature of the events (roughstock vs. timed), the era of the competition, and the overall legacy are important factors.
Why is roughstock often considered the ultimate test?
Roughstock events (brayback, saddle bronc, bull riding) are visually dramatic and high-risk, rooted directly in the classic cowboy archetype of mastering a wild, bucking animal.
Could a current rider ever top these legends?
Yes, a cowboy who dominates multiple roughstock events over a long period of time, while also significantly influencing the culture of the sport, could redefine the debate. However, they would have to meet the high bar set by these icons.
What about female rodeo champions?
Legends in women’s rodeo, such as in barrel racing, deserve much more recognition in their respective domains. This particular discussion has historically focused on the PRCA’s traditional, male-dominated events.
The Verdict
So, who is the greatest rodeo rider of all time? If the question is about pure, statistical dominance across all rodeo events, the answer is Trevor Brazile and his 26 world titles.
However, if the question is about the greatest roughstock cowboy — the rider who best embodies the classic, dangerous heart of rodeo — the crown belongs to Jim Shoulders. His record 16 world championships in the toughest events, his era-defining dominance, and his enduring legacy as the “Baby Ruth of Rodeo” make him the standard.
Ultimately, the debate is part of rodeo’s rich tapestry. Whether your champion is Shoulders, Murray, or Brazile, each represents the pinnacle of cowboy skill, courage, and determination. The quest for “the greatest” ensures that the legends of the field will never be forgotten.
