Biography

James Burton Mauney (/ˈmuːni/; born January 9, 1987) is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. He was a top contestant in the Professional Bull Riders circuit (PBR) for several years, eventually winning the PBR world championship in 2013 and 2015. Mauney was known for choosing the most difficult bulls, explaining "If you want to be the best, you've got to ride the best." During the latter years of his career, Mauney was nicknamed "the Dragonslayer" for his ability to conquer several of the toughest bulls he was matched against. He is considered one of the greatest bull riders of his generation, and the ninth greatest bull rider in the history of the PBR.

At the very beginning of his career, he rode in both the PBR and Championship Bull Riding (CBR) circuits, before deciding to ride full-time in the PBR in early 2006. He won the PBR Rookie of the Year title that same year. During the last few years of his career, he competed full-time in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).