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Don Mayo, a former National Finals Rodeo bareback rider, peacefully passed away on May 21 at the age of 84. His remarkable life was marked by his unwavering determination, overcoming adversity, and leaving an indelible mark on the rodeo world.

Born on August 23, 1939, in Grinnell, Iowa, Don Mayo was raised on a bustling family farm, where hard work was a way of life. From a young age, he toiled alongside his parents, Charles and Bernice Haynes Mayo, tending to crops, hogs, and cattle. Even before the sun rose, Don would feed hogs and milk cows, instilling in him a work ethic that would shape his future.

Don’s life took an unexpected turn when, at the age of 12, he stumbled upon an article in Life Magazine featuring Casey Tibbs, a flamboyant rodeo cowboy known for his flashy attire and a purple Cadillac. Captivated by the thrilling world of rodeo, Don made a firm decision to pursue his dream of becoming a rodeo star. With his younger brothers, Paul, Bob, and Roger, he began practicing on the farm’s cattle, honing his bareback riding skills. Don’s passion soon led him to compete in a local amateur rodeo, where he won the bareback riding event and a modest $18 prize. That taste of victory sealed his fate and ignited a lifelong dedication to rodeo.

After graduating from high school in 1957, Don embarked on a challenging journey as a professional rodeo cowboy. Though faced with numerous obstacles, his determination remained unshakable. In 1961, his relentless pursuit of excellence paid off when he qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo, competing in the highly competitive bareback riding event. The following year, Don’s talent reached new heights, finishing as the reserve champion of the world in 1962. In 1963, he was poised to claim the coveted world championship title, but fate had other plans.

Tragedy struck on July 5, 1963, as Don and his younger brother, Paul, were involved in a devastating car wreck. The accident left Don critically injured and paralyzed from the waist down. In a single moment, his dreams of becoming a world champion cowboy seemed irretrievably shattered. However, Don’s indomitable spirit refused to yield. Refusing to be confined to a wheelchair, he embarked on a grueling journey of rehabilitation, determined to walk again. After 18 months of arduous work, Don triumphantly left the hospital, defying the odds and walking on crutches.

Though his rodeo aspirations were forever altered, Don Mayo’s resilience and adaptability shone through as he forged a new path in life. Despite his physical challenges, he emerged as a highly successful businessman in the realms of insurance and real estate. Remarkably, Don also acquired the skill of flying planes, owning four different aircraft that he utilized during his extensive travels while selling life insurance for over three decades.

Don’s enduring legacy extended far beyond the rodeo arena and business world. He became an inspiration to many, admired for his unwavering toughness, grit, and determination. Don’s ability to overcome setbacks and disappointments with a positive attitude resonated with countless individuals, encouraging them never to give up on life’s challenges.

In recognition of his remarkable achievements, Don Mayo was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 2002. His place among the rodeo greats forever solidified his impact on the sport.

In 2002, Don Mayo was honored with induction into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame located in Oklahoma City.

Sadly, Don Mayo’s parents, sister Delores Weaver, and brothers Bob Mayo and Paul Mayo preceded him in death. However, he is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, Myrlen “Ling” Mayo, as well as his brother Roger Mayo. Additionally, he is remembered by his nephews Beau and Les Mayo, Jim and Mark Weaver, and nieces Mary Whitehead and Diane Heaton.

A memorial service to commemorate Don Mayo’s life will take place on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. (CT) at the Cowboy Church of Erath County in Stephenville.

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Tickets for the 2023 NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, July 11-15 in Colorado Springs, Colo., are now on sale online.

The NFR Open powered by RAM, will be one of the biggest rodeos of the 2023 PRORODEO season with $1 million in payouts to contestants, livestock and other PRCA members.

More than 200 top contestants from each of the U.S. and Canadian Circuits, plus national champions from Mexico will be competing in Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Breakaway Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding, culminating with a semifinals and finals on Saturday, July 15 when the national circuit champions will be crowned.

“The NFR Open is one of the most significant rodeos of the year,” said Tom Glause, CEO of the PRCA. “Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Colorado Springs community made this an outstanding rodeo in 2022 and we are excited to build upon that momentum in 2023.”

The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo will take place July 11-15, with evening performances Tuesday through Saturday, and matinee performances Friday and Saturday. The Tuesday evening and Friday matinee performances are new additions to the lineup to satisfy demand for more performances after last year’s sell outs. Evening performances will start at 7:00 p.m. with matinee performances starting at noon and parking is FREE.

Mayor John Suthers added, “It’s our pleasure to welcome people from all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico to Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA as we celebrate the exciting and fast-growing sport of professional rodeo. The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo brings together the very best athletes in the sport, while celebrating the second oldest event in our community. Colorado Springs is the perfect place for this ‘can’t miss’ event.”

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Board President, Scott Johnson, said, “This year’s Rodeo is going to be incredible, with the top talent in the sport coming here to compete. The addition of two performances gives families and working folks more opportunities to come enjoy this with us. And from what I hear, the national champs from Mexico are coming to take home the title. It is going to be another great one.”

Tickets are on sale online now at pikespeakorbust.org and sellouts are expected.

Courtesy of PRCA

Team roping heeler Jake Long, a 12-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, is dealing with some adversity and still succeeding.

Long broke his right foot at the 11th Annual Cervi Pro-Am in Casa Grande, Ariz., on Feb. 22, but was still able to come back and rope at RodeoHouston and advance to the semifinals, highlighted by winning round 1 with his partner Clay Smith in their bracket with a 4.7-second time on Feb. 28.

“I was at the Mike Cervi deal team roping and a steer went down in front of me, and my horse tripped over him,” Long said. “My horse went down and broke my foot. They put a cast on my foot on Feb. 26, two days before I roped (with Clay) at RodeoHouston. I was told I would be in the cast for a month and then a couple of weeks in a walking boot.”

Although Long broke his foot, he has remained upbeat.

“It is not too bad honestly,” Long said. “I put an inner tube on for a stirrup, just a piece of an inner tube and it basically works as a shock absorber for me. It takes a lot of the hard stuff away, where it doesn’t really hurt my foot. It kind of hurts when I first put it in there because of the angle I have to put it in at. It is kind of weird because you don’t have the stability of a real stirrup obviously, but it doesn’t hurt me.

“It is not as comforting as a real stirrup, but you have to do what you got to do. I have to zone in and focus a little bit more.”

The inner tube concept was Long’s based on past experience.

“Well actually I broke my foot in high school right before the high school finals and that was an idea we came up with back then and that was my first go-to thought when this happened,” Long said.

The irony to Long’s broken foot is last summer Smith, his partner and two-time PRCA World Champion Header, broke his right leg on June 28 and he continued to rope with the injury and the duo qualified for the NFR.

“I sure hope we are done with this stuff after this,” Long said. “I wasn’t planning on being on the other end of that ever. We have had to take care of each other a lot more than you normally would. I think we both stepped up when we needed to and been helpful and we definitely have a routine down.”

Courtesy of PRCA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Winning the 2023 Permit Finals provides a bonus for contestants.

Each event winner of the Permit Finals, Oct. 7-9 in Waco, Texas, will secure entry into RODEOHOUSTON® in 2024.

“The PRCA has made a concentrated effort to better support permit holders by establishing the Permit Finals. We are excited to join in that effort and promote these up-and-coming contestants by inviting the 2023 Permit Finals Champions of Waco to Houston in 2024,” said Dr. Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

PRCA CEO Tom Glause says this presents an incredible opportunity for the Permit Finals winners to compete against the best of the best.

“The Permit Finals gives our young, up-and-coming contestants a chance to showcase their skills as they prepare to take the next step in their ProRodeo careers,” Glause said. “The Permit Finals winners will now have the opportunity to compete against ProRodeos biggest stars at RODEOHOUSTON®, which is exciting.”

The Top 10 contestants in the permit standings will qualify to compete in the Permit Finals in Waco, with three go-rounds of competition determining the champions.

Courtesy of PRCA

Former standout Cervi Championship Rodeo’s bareback horse F42 Hostage, a multi-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, passed away Saturday at the Cervi’s ranch in Stoneham, Colo.

“She wasn’t necessarily the best horse, but she was the most consistent,” Binion Cervi said. “She was one that cowboys could win money on every time. Cowboys knew when they drew her they may win first and if not they will place. She was so easy to ride.”

F42 Hostage was born in 1997 on Cervi’s ranch in Stoneham and retired from rodeo in 2016. She was a multiple-time competitor at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Bobby Mote won Round 4 of the 2007 NFR with 85.5-point ride on the way to winning the world championship that year.

“I had that horse in San Antonio this year,” Mote said moments after his ride. “I didn’t get along with him as good then. I just didn’t bring it and didn’t make as good a ride as I could have. I had a little better game plan today. I just tried to stay as aggressive as I could and fortunately they rewarded me for it.”

At the 2004 NFR in Round 1, Larry Sandvick split second with an 86-point ride on Hostage. In 2005 at the NFR, Wes Stevenson won Round 1 with an 87.5-point ride on Hostage.

F42 Hostage has had 17 foals. Many of which have made NFR appearances, including P16 Hell’s Fire Hostage and W30 Guardian Angel.

“Hostage is one of those horses that if you had a trailer load of them, you would never have to stress being in the rodeo business,” Cervi said.