Have you ever watched a man climb onto a 2,000-pound bull and think, how does someone do that? JB Mauney doesn’t just do it — he made it look like art. For over two decades, JB Mauney dominated the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit in a way no one else ever has. He won two world titles, earned more money than any bull rider in history, and became a living legend before ever hanging up his rope. This is his full story — from a small-town kid in North Carolina to the most celebrated bull rider on the planet.
Who Is JB Mauney?
JB Mauney is a two-time PBR World Champion and the highest-earning bull rider in the history of Western sports. Born James Burton Mauney, he earned the nickname “The Dragon Slayer” for always choosing the toughest, most dangerous bulls in competition. His style was fearless, his talent was rare, and his heart was tougher than the animals he rode. Over 18 years as a professional, JB Mauney became the face of bull riding for an entire generation of rodeo fans.
Where Is JB Mauney From?
JB Mauney was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 9, 1987. He spent his childhood in Mooresville, North Carolina, which is more well-known for NASCAR than for rodeos. But Mauney didn’t need a rodeo town to find his calling — he found it in his own backyard. He attended Lake Norman High School in Mooresville and showed from an early age that he had a special kind of courage. At just 13 years old, he climbed on his first big bull and never looked back.
Growing up in the American South gave JB Mauney the grit and character that would define his career. He was raised with strong cowboy values by his parents, Tim and Lynne Mauney. His French heritage on his father’s side gave him a distinct look and quiet mental toughness. While most kids his age were playing video games, young Mauney was already chasing the dream of riding in the PBR.
How Old Is JB Mauney?
So, how old is JB Mauney today? As of 2025, JB Mauney is 38 years old. His birthday falls on January 9, 1987, which makes him a Capricorn — fitting for a man known for his relentless drive and ironclad determination. JB Mauney’s age may surprise some fans who think of him as ageless in the arena, but the truth is he gave his best years — and his body — to bull riding. He turned pro in 2005 at just 18 years old and competed at the highest level for nearly two full decades.
His age timeline says a lot about his career:
- 13 — First big bull ride
- 18 — Turned professional (2005)
- 19 — Won PBR Rookie of the Year (2006)
- 26 — First PBR World Championship (2013)
- 28 — Second PBR World Championship (2015)
- 36 — Final ride; career-ending neck injury (2023)
- 37 — Inducted into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame (2024)
How Tall Is JB Mauney? Height, Weight, and Physical Build
If you’ve ever wondered how tall is JB Mauney, the answer might surprise you. JB Mauney stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78 meters) and weighed around 140 pounds during his riding years. That’s actually a lighter, leaner build than many people expect from someone who rode the most dangerous animals in sport. But in bull riding, that compact frame is actually an advantage. A lower center of gravity and lighter weight help a rider absorb the wild movements of a bull without being thrown off.
JB Mauney’s height and physical profile made him uniquely suited for the sport. His lean body allowed him to grip tight, twist fast, and recover balance quickly. He was never the biggest guy in the arena — but he was always the bravest. His physical build became a badge of honor in a sport where heart matters more than muscle.
JB Mauney Net Worth: How Much Did He Really Earn?
Few topics get rodeo fans more curious than JB Mauney net worth. And honestly, the numbers are stunning. JB Mauney is the highest-earning Western sports athlete in history, with career PBR earnings of over $7.4 million. His total career earnings across both PBR and PRCA circuits surpass $7.6 million. He was also the first bull rider ever to cross the $7 million mark in career earnings, doing so back in 2016.
As of 2025, JB Mauney’s estimated net worth sits between $6 million and $8.5 million, depending on the source. Beyond prize money, he earned income through sponsorships, paid partnerships, collaborations, and his XV Ranch in Stephenville, Texas. He is a brand, not just a champion. For a cowboy from Mooresville, North Carolina, those numbers are nothing short of extraordinary. His financial legacy mirrors his riding legacy: bigger than anyone before him.
JB Mauney’s Injury: The Bull That Broke His Neck
Of all the stories in JB Mauney’s career, the most powerful is the one that ended it. In 2023, JB Mauney suffered a devastating injury while riding a bull named Arctic Assassin. The fall sent him landing on the side of his head. When he tried to push himself up, he felt something terrifying. “Felt like somebody stuck a hot knife right in the back of my neck,” Mauney described later. He had broken his neck.
Mauney knew immediately what had happened — he’d broken his back before and recognized the sensation. Doctors were crystal clear: another fall on his head could be catastrophic, even fatal. With a young son at home and a full life ahead of him, JB Mauney made the call that no warrior wants to make. He retired. But here’s the twist that only happens in cowboy stories — Mauney later bought Arctic Assassin, the very bull that ended his career. Today that bull lives peacefully on his ranch in Stephenville, Texas. That’s the kind of man JB Mauney is.
When Did JB Mauney Retire? The End of an Era
The question “when did JB Mauney retire” has a straightforward answer — 2023 — but the story behind it is anything but simple. JB Mauney didn’t ride into the sunset on his own terms. He was forced off the dirt by a broken neck. For a man who rode through broken bones, torn muscles, and countless injuries throughout his career, hanging it up was never going to be easy.
What made JB Mauney’s retirement meaningful was the way the sport honored him. In May 2024, the PBR held a ceremony celebrating his career at the PBR World Finals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That same weekend, the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in Fort Worth inducted him into its 2024 class — and Mauney received more votes than any other candidate on the ballot. In 2025, he was also inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor. The sport didn’t just say goodbye — it said thank you.
JB Mauney Bull Rider: Career Records and Championship Glory
When you look at what JB Mauney accomplished as a bull rider, the numbers are hard to believe. He racked up 48 event wins on the PBR circuit, tying him for the all-time record with fellow champion Justin McBride. He recorded 538 qualified premier series rides, second-best in PBR history. He also had 75 rides scoring 90 points or more, the third-highest total ever.
His two PBR World Championships came in 2013 and 2015 — years when he simply couldn’t be stopped. One of the most iconic moments of JB Mauney’s career came in 2013 when he ended the legendary bull Bushwacker’s then-record streak of 42 consecutive buck-offs. Bushwacker was considered unrideable. JB Mauney rode him. That single ride in Tulsa, Oklahoma, captured the spirit of the Dragon Slayer perfectly. In 2009, he became the first rider ever to record a qualified ride on all eight bulls at the PBR World Finals. His legacy as a bull rider is simply without equal.
JB Mauney Wife: Love, Rodeo Roots, and Family Life
Every great cowboy has a great partner behind him. JB Mauney’s wife is Samantha Lyne, an American professional barrel racer and the daughter of rodeo royalty. Samantha’s father is Phil Lyne, a five-time PRCA World Champion — so rodeo runs in her blood as naturally as it does in JB’s. The couple married in 2016 and have built a life rooted in the Western lifestyle they both grew up loving.
Samantha Lyne isn’t just a supportive spouse — she’s a competitor in her own right. She went to Texas Christian University, where she studied, and she has made her own name in professional barrel racing. Her athletic background, combined with her deep understanding of rodeo culture, made her the perfect match for someone as intense and driven as JB Mauney. The couple settled in Stephenville, Texas, where they raise their family on JB’s XV Ranch. Before Samantha, Mauney was married to Lexie Wiggly from 2012 to 2015.
JB Mauney Kids: Meet the Next Generation of Cowboys
JB Mauney has two children, and fans are always curious about JB Mauney’s kids and family life. His son, Jagger Briggs Mauney, was born on January 23, 2019, with Samantha Lyne. Little Jagger has already been seen on the family ranch riding calves, which makes it easy to imagine the Mauney family’s second generation ripping up the PBR one day. Mauney himself has watched footage of Jagger riding calves with obvious pride and no small amount of amusement.
JB Mauney also has a daughter named Bella, born in 2011 from a previous relationship. So when asked how many kids does JB Mauney have, the answer is two — one daughter and one son. Both children are growing up surrounded by the Western world that shaped their father. With bulls on the ranch and rodeo in the family bloodline from both parents, the Mauney kids have a pretty remarkable heritage to live up to.
Where Does JB Mauney Live? Life on the XV Ranch
These days, JB Mauney lives in Stephenville, Texas, a town known affectionately as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” He owns the XV Ranch, a sprawling property about 90 minutes southwest of Fort Worth. He bought the ranch while he was still competing — not as a backup plan, but as a statement of lifestyle. Mauney has said he never had a backup plan; bull riding was the plan, and the ranch was just the right place for a cowboy to call home.
The XV Ranch isn’t just where JB Mauney lives — it’s where he breathes. He keeps cattle, manages the land, trains young riders, and even houses Arctic Assassin, the bull that retired him. Life on the ranch is busy, loud, and full of animals. For a man who spent 20 years risking his life in arenas across the country, the ranch offers something even more exhilarating: peace, purpose, and permanence.
JB Mauney Hat: The Signature Look of a Champion
Ask any rodeo fan to describe JB Mauney and the first thing they’ll mention — after his riding — is his hat. In Western fashion, the JB Mauney cowboy hat has become a fashion statement. He favors a wide-brimmed felt cowboy hat with a classic crown shape that is now referred to simply as the “JB Mauney shape” among hat enthusiasts and Western wear fans. Hat shapers across the country regularly get requests from customers who want their hats shaped exactly like JB’s.
The JB Mauney hat shape features a high crown with a distinctive crease pattern and a wide, slightly curved brim that frames his face perfectly. He wears high-quality felt hats — the kind built to last in the Texas sun and wind. What makes the JB Mauney cowboy hat so compelling isn’t just the style; it’s what it represents. It’s the headwear of a man who chose to ride with a traditional cowboy hat instead of a helmet — after 2013, at least — as a symbol of grit, tradition, and pure cowboy identity.
JB Mauney Tattoos: Ink That Tells a Story
Fans find JB Mauney’s tattoos to be another fascinating aspect of his identity. Like the rest of his outfit, he wears his ink in a bold, individual, and uniquely Western style. His body art includes traditional rodeo and cowboy-inspired designs that reflect his lifestyle and values. JB Mauney’s tattoos are not just decorative — they’re visual chapters of his story.
His ink style leans toward traditional American and Western motifs, the kind you’d expect from a man who has spent his life in arenas and on ranches. While Mauney doesn’t often talk at length about the meaning behind each piece, fans who follow him on social media have caught glimpses of the detailed work that covers parts of his arms and body. His tattoos, like his hat and his ride, all come together to create the complete picture of a modern cowboy who lives by his own code.
JB Mauney After Retirement: Coaching and Building a Dynasty
Retirement from riding didn’t mean retirement from bull riding. In 2024, JB Mauney took on a brand-new challenge as head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters, one of the newest franchises in the PBR Team Series. He brought the same fire and toughness to coaching that he brought to riding — direct, demanding, and deeply committed to winning.
His first season with the Wildcatters had its ups and downs, but by early 2025, the team was gaining serious momentum. In March 2025, the Oklahoma Wildcatters won the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge — a major team event that signaled JB Mauney had what it takes to build a dynasty from the coaching box. He has also jumped into the arena when needed, once using his own body to shield a young rider from a dangerous bull — earning a fine from the PBR and zero regrets from himself. That’s coaching the JB Mauney way.
JB Mauney’s Legacy: What Makes Him the Greatest of All Time?
What separates JB Mauney from every other bull rider who ever lived? It’s not just the two world titles or the $7.4 million in earnings. It’s the way he rode. He always chose the hardest bulls. He never backed down from a challenge. He rode injured when other men would have walked away. He ended Bushwacker’s unbeatable streak. He was the first to record eight qualified rides at a single World Finals.
But beyond the records, JB Mauney’s legacy is about character. The bull that broke his neck was purchased by him. He coaches teenagers with the same intensity he brought to championships. He lives on a working ranch, raises his kids with Western values, and stays connected to the sport that defined him. He is genuinely, authentically, irreplaceable. Many in the bull riding world consider JB Mauney the greatest of all time — and when you look at the full picture, it’s very hard to argue otherwise.
FAQs
Q1: How old is JB Mauney in 2025?
JB Mauney is 38 years old in 2025. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 9, 1987. He spent over two decades competing in professional bull riding before retiring in 2023 due to a career-ending neck injury. Despite his retirement from riding, he remains active in the sport as a coach.
Q2: What is JB Mauney’s net worth?
JB Mauney’s net worth is estimated at between $6 million and $8.5 million as of 2025. His career prize money alone exceeded $7.4 million, making him the highest-earning bull rider and Western sports athlete in history. He also earns from his ranch, endorsements, and his coaching role with the Oklahoma Wildcatters.
Q3: Who is JB Mauney’s wife?
JB Mauney is married to Samantha Lyne, a professional barrel racer and the daughter of five-time PRCA World Champion Phil Lyne. The couple married in 2016 and lives on the XV Ranch in Stephenville, Texas. Samantha is a rodeo athlete in her own right and has been a constant source of support throughout Mauney’s career and retirement.
Q4: How tall is JB Mauney?
JB Mauney stands 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78 meters) and weighed approximately 140 pounds during his competitive years. His lean, compact frame gave him a natural advantage in bull riding, allowing for superior balance, quick recovery, and explosive grip strength. His height and build helped him stay on some of the most dangerous bulls in PBR history.
Q5: How many kids does JB Mauney have?
JB Mauney has two children. His daughter Bella was born in 2011 from a previous relationship. His son Jagger Briggs Mauney was born on January 23, 2019, with his wife Samantha Lyne. Young Jagger has already shown interest in riding calves on the family ranch, giving fans hope that the Mauney legacy in bull riding may continue into the next generation.
Q6: When did JB Mauney retire from bull riding?
JB Mauney retired in 2023 after suffering a broken neck while riding a bull named Arctic Assassin. Doctors warned that another fall on his head could be life-threatening, and with a young son at home, Mauney chose his family over the arena. He was honored with a PBR career celebration ceremony in May 2024 and inducted into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame the same year.
Conclusion
JB Mauney rode bulls the way a poet writes verse — with everything he had, without apology, and for the love of something bigger than himself. From a 13-year-old kid in Mooresville, North Carolina, to the greatest bull rider who ever lived, his journey is one of the most remarkable in American sports history. Two world championships, $7.4 million in earnings, 48 event wins, a broken neck, and a dynasty in the making — that’s JB Mauney.
He didn’t just compete. He inspired. He showed a generation of cowboys that courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s climbing on anyway. Whether you’re a lifelong rodeo fan or you’re just discovering the world of bull riding for the first time, the story of JB Mauney is one you won’t forget. And if you feel moved, share this article with a friend who loves the Western way of life. The Dragon Slayer deserves to be known by everyone.
