The Best Bull Rider of All Time: J.B. Mauney

He’s changing the game. He does things no one else does. There’s not a title in the world that he can’t win. The best bull rider in the world, J.B. Mauney is a throwback cowboy from Moorseville, North Carolina. VICE Sports traveled with J.B. to check out his atypical workouts, his superior technique and unrivaled work ethic that has taken him to unprecedented ground in the bull riding community.

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[VICESports]

VICE Sports traveled with J.B. to check out his atypical workouts, his superior technique and unrivaled work ethic that has taken him to unprecedented ground in the bull riding community.

[frisco]

Years ago, late at night I ran into J. B. at a convenience store after he had competed at an event at the Molalla Buckaroo in Oregon. He was all banged up, sweating and in obvious pain, and there he was at the counter, paying for a big-ass bottle of aspirin! I said to him, "You all right there, buddy?" to which he replied "Livin' the dream." That memory has always stuck with me.

[loganthornton]

bull riding got started with hold my beer

[nancyschall]

I was raised in a rodeo family. . . My dad was a cowboy through & through. . .all around. . .bulls, bareback, saddlebronc, doggin, & roping; but that was back in the 50's when cowboys were all arounds. He was the best horseman I ever knew. He could break a horse like no other & only had thoroughbreds. He was an old school cowboy. . .they broke the mold when he was born. He didn't even have ahigh school education, but built 6 nice homes. He was a logger & a cattleman. But most of all the best cowboy I ever knew. He never rode a saddle in his later years, only bareback. Used a stock whip or bull whip to gather his longhorns & never wore spurs (he said spurs were only made for bucking stock). He taught us to use a quirt. . .not spurs. . . He was a great man. . .my dad. . .Billy Schall

[nickronin]

WTF Joe rogan im still waiting to see J.B. Mauney on your show

[littlemoo]

I can honestly say in my entire life I never saw anyone balance on a basketball like that. With cowboy boots no less.

[mtgmicheal]

He already looks like the actor that would play him in a movie

[CaptRich-bigp]

I was a P.R.C.A. bull rider in the 80s. I'm now 58, I hurt everyday.
I was not on the level this young man is, but for a couple of years I was going and blowing pretty hard.
Back then pain was like rain, you just dealt with it.
I never have liked those pain pills; dulled your senses to much made you sluggish and slow. The pain let me know I was alive.
I wore a mouth guard to protect my grinners, that was it. No protective vests, dang sure no helmets back then; we were hands, we never would consider such a thing.
I'm still tougher than woodpecker lips, but I'm a whole lot slower.
I was 29 when I got on my last bull, it was hard to walk away from.
Bull riding isn't something you do its what you are, it's who you are.
After my 2nd shoulder surgery looking at a 3rd not twisting to many toros at that point, I called it. I miss the lifestyle every day.

[justinmix]

I don’t even watch goddamn bull riding, and yet here I am, watching this for like the 6th time. Dude is just James Dean-level cool.

[Gantzephon]

It must be hard for the bull, having gigantic balls of steel on his back.

[philhanley]

I met him once in a local diner. I had just found out who he was just before I was introduced to him. Obviously I am nobody...but he was so humble...I have nothing but respect for MEN like this!

[eddiewright]

"I was the kid with the try when the other guys had the talent." That statement hit me hard. That’s the statement of my life! Thank you JB sir. Semper Fi !!

[yetanotherjohn]

"No mater how strong you are, you're never going to out-muscle a bull." ~J.B.M.

[ghostrider-xgny]

"I know when I get old I'll be as crippled as hell. But I'm willing to sacrifice that to be number one". I've had two discs replaced in my back. Surgeries to both knees. Broken ankle with two steel plates and sixteen screws holding it all together. Ribs cracked and broken numerous times. Been layed out unconscious with my face straight down in the shit and dirt. Fingers dislocated or broke to many times to count. All when we did it for a silver buckle and change. I'm sixty years old now and can't even sit in the saddle on my horse. But I know why you do it so I respect that. Being number one sometimes costs to much. I never got there but most of us don't. But we ride anyway. " Let er buck ".

[godsmdic]

I never question the first person who thought it would be a good idea to get on a bull and ride it. I always questioned the 2nd person who decided to do it next lol

[eddiespagetti]

This is a real life cowboy. Perfect ambassador for the sport. I love this guys style and attitude. Great guy. Also fly weight at 140 soaking wet. Just a little guy with HUGE heart and soul. His passion is enormous. Body size means nothing . Bull riders are tough guys who take a beating and get back on and take another beating. Only a few men have this ability to handle pain and injury the way a bullrider does .. I am a new fan of this sport. This man is amazing.

[brandongross]

JB lives 30 seconds down the road from me in the log cabin my childhood friend owned before his family sold it to JB. Watching him ride horses through his land and interviews inside the house brought back some good childhood memories out there.

[nathanlanders]

Dirty. Rotten. Tough. Cowboys. God bless

[jamescohn]

I served with this man in the Air Force, Alabama ROTC Summer Training 2008. Good man! Great leader!

[Rosicrisp]

“If you’re not doing it to be the best then you might as well stop now” damn that hit hard it’s inspirational I’ve watched this like 5 times and I don’t even follow bull riding