JB Mauney Biography: Age, Wife, Family, Career & Lifestyle
If you love rodeo, you already know the name. JB Mauney is not just a bull rider — he is a living legend. From his wild early days in North Carolina to the PBR World Finals arena, few cowboys have ever matched his fire, grit, or raw talent. This is the complete story of the man they call “The Dragon Slayer.” Buckle up. This will be an amazing journey.
Who Is JB Mauney?
James Burton Mauney — better known as JB Mauney — is one of the most celebrated professional bull riders in history. He earned the nickname “The Dragon Slayer” because he had a habit of choosing the most dangerous bulls in any competition. JB went straight for the beast that no other rider dared touch, whereas the other riders chose to play it safe. Because of his brave approach, he quickly became a favorite among fans and a dirt legend.
He won the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Championship twice — in 2013 and in 2015. He also became the highest-earning athlete in the history of Western sports. Over his career, he racked up over $7.4 million in prize money, a record that stood unmatched for years. His 32 Premier Series event wins tie him for first in PBR history. Simply put, JB Mauney redefined what it meant to be a bull rider.
How Old Is JB Mauney?
People often ask, how old is JB Mauney? He was born on January 9, 1987, which makes him 39 years old as of 2026. His full name is James Burton Mauney — the “JB” comes from his initials. He was born and raised in North Carolina, though he has spent most of his adult life in Texas.
JB Mauney’s age never slowed him down in the arena. Even in his mid-to-late thirties, he was still riding at an elite level. Over the course of his career, he had sustained numerous injuries to his body, including broken bones, torn muscles, and ones that would have ended most careers, but he kept coming back. That’s just who he is. Age is just a number when you have that much passion for the sport.
Where Is JB Mauney From?
So, where is JB Mauney from? He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he grew up in Mooresville, North Carolina, where he attended Lake Norman High School. Not exactly cowboy country by most people’s thinking — yet it is where one of the greatest cowboys of all time was raised.
The fact that his father is of French descent adds a fascinating layer to his background. JB Mauney started riding bulls at just 13 years old. By the time most kids his age were thinking about high school dances, JB was already competing in rodeo events. In 2002, he won the Southern Rodeo Association Junior All-Around title. That early taste of victory hooked him for life. By 2005, he joined the PBR and never looked back.
How Tall Is JB Mauney? Height, Weight, and Build
Fans are always curious about JB Mauney’s height. He stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall and weighs around 140 pounds (64 kg). At first glance, his lean frame might surprise you. You might expect a bull rider to be built like a linebacker. But in this sport, a smaller, lighter body actually helps. It gives riders better balance and more control on the back of a 1,500-pound bull spinning and bucking at full force.
His compact size turned out to be one of his biggest advantages. JB Mauney’s height and build allowed him to stay centered over the bull, read its movements faster, and adjust in real time. Combined with his mental toughness, his physique was practically built for the sport. Even the toughest bulls in the world — including the famous Bushwacker — could not shake him off when he was locked in.
JB Mauney’s Career
JB Mauney turned pro in 2005, and his rise was swift. He won the PBR Rookie of the Year award in 2006. That same year, he also won the PBR Challenger Tour Championship. In 2009, he made history by becoming the first rider to complete a qualified ride on all eight of his bulls at the PBR World Finals. He also won the Challenger Tour Championship again that year.
His two biggest moments came in 2013 and 2015, when he claimed back-to-back PBR World Championships. In 2013, he did the unthinkable — he successfully rode Bushwacker, a bull that had gone unridden for 42 straight events. That ride in Tulsa, Oklahoma, became one of the most celebrated moments in bull riding history. He finished his career with 538 qualified Premier Series rides (second all-time), 75 rides that scored 90 points or more, and career earnings that topped $7.4 million. In 2016, he became the first bull rider to hit the $7 million mark in career earnings — a moment that cemented his place as the sport’s greatest financial success story.
JB Mauney’s Injury
Without discussing JB Mauney’s injuries, no story about him is complete. He broke a lot of ribs, cut his liver, broke his back, tore ligaments, and got a lot of bruises over the years. In 2005, a bull stomped on his chest before he even turned 19. He went home instead of to the hospital — that tells you everything about his character.
But his most serious injury came in 2023. During a ride, he was thrown from the bull and landed on the side of his head. When he tried to push himself up, he felt a sharp, burning sensation in the back of his neck. He later described it as feeling like “somebody stuck a hot knife right in the back of my neck.” He had broken his back before, so he knew immediately what had happened. His neck was broken.
Doctors performed spinal surgery, and they were clear: another fall on his head could have catastrophic, life-altering consequences. With a young son at home and a family to protect, JB Mauney made the call that most hard-headed cowboys struggle to make. He chose his family over the arena. It was the injury that finally ended his career — not his will, but his love for his kids.
When Did JB Mauney Retire?
When did JB Mauney retire? He officially retired from professional bull riding in 2023, following the neck injury that required surgery. His 18-year professional career came to a close — not with a quiet exit, but with the respect and admiration of an entire sport behind him.
Shortly after retirement, he was inducted into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in 2024. The Hall of Fame had been taking ballots and added him after his announcement; he polled more votes than any other nominee. In 2025, he was also inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor, another major recognition of his lifetime achievements. When JB Mauney retired, he left behind a legacy that may never be matched. He holds records for career earnings, tied first in event wins, and sits second all-time in career qualified rides.
JB Mauney’s Wife:
Who is JB Mauney’s wife? Her name is Samantha Lyne Mauney. She is a professional barrel racer and was a qualifier for the 2014 National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Samantha is also the daughter of Phil Lyne, a five-time PRCA World Champion rodeo cowboy — meaning rodeo runs deep in both sides of this family.
The couple got engaged in November 2016, when JB shared a photo of Samantha’s ring on Instagram. They married on January 3, 2017, and have been together ever since. JB Mauney was married to Lexie Wiggly from 2012 to 2015 before Samantha. That marriage ended for undisclosed reasons, and both moved on. Samantha graduated from Texas Christian University, and while she is known for her rodeo roots, she has also worked as a businesswoman. The couple lives on their ranch in Stephenville, Texas, and by all accounts, their partnership is as strong as JB’s grip on a bull rope.
JB Mauney’s Kids
How many kids does JB Mauney have? He has two children. His daughter, Bella Mauney, was born in 2011 from his first marriage to Lexie Wiggly. His son, Jagger Briggs Mauney, was born on January 23, 2019, with his current wife Samantha.
JB Mauney’s son Jagger has already been spotted riding calves on the family ranch at just five years old — a sight that puts a big smile on his dad’s face. It looks like the Mauney rodeo tradition might carry on for at least one more generation. JB has spoken warmly about how fatherhood changed his perspective. When the neck injury came in 2023, his son was one of the biggest reasons he chose to retire. His kids clearly mean everything to him. Off the dirt, JB Mauney is just a devoted dad who loves watching his boy grow up around horses and cattle on the Texas ranch.
Where Does JB Mauney Live?
Where does JB Mauney live? He currently lives in Stephenville, Texas, with his wife Samantha and their children. The town is known as a hub for rodeo culture in Texas, and it suits him perfectly. Life on the ranch keeps him grounded and connected to the cowboy lifestyle he has always loved.
What makes this story even better? JB Mauney actually bought Arctic Assassin — the very bull that caused his career-ending neck injury in 2023 — and that bull now lives peacefully on his ranch in Stephenville. Only JB could turn the animal that broke his neck into a pasture neighbor. That speaks volumes about how he processes things. There is no bitterness, just respect for the sport and its animals. His ranch is where he raises his family, trains future bull riders, and finds peace after one of the most intense careers in sports history.
JB Mauney’s Net Worth
What is JB Mauney’s net worth? His net worth is thought to be between $6 million and $8 million in the years 2025 and 2026, with some sources saying it could be as high as $10 million. He is widely recognized as the highest-earning athlete in Western sports history, having earned over $7.4 million in PBR prize money alone.
Beyond prize money, JB Mauney built wealth through sponsorships, endorsements, merchandise sales, and smart investments. His ranch in Stephenville also represents a significant asset. After retiring from riding, he moved into coaching as head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters in the PBR Team Series, which added another income stream. His wife Samantha also contributed through her career as a barrel racer. The combination of long-term planning and a sport that made him a household name across the rodeo world has left JB Mauney financially comfortable and well-positioned long after his last ride.
JB Mauney’s Tattoos
JB Mauney’s tattoos are another part of his identity that fans find fascinating. While he has not given a detailed tour of every piece of ink, his tattoos are visible in many photos and videos from his career. They are bold, traditional, and deeply personal — much like the man himself.
His tattoos reflect his cowboy lifestyle, his love of the sport, and the experiences that have shaped him. Bull riding culture and rodeo art are common themes in the Western tattoo world, and JB Mauney’s tattoos fit right into that tradition. For fans who love the rugged, authentic cowboy aesthetic, his ink adds another layer to the image he has built over decades in the sport. His overall look — lean frame, signature hat, tattoos, and a cigarette in hand — has become iconic in its own right. It is the look of a man who has lived every bit of his story.
JB Mauney’s Cowboy Hat
Ask any rodeo fan about JB Mauney’s hat, and they will tell you it is as iconic as the man wearing it. His JB Mauney cowboy hat style features a wide brim and a distinctive crown shape that has spawned its own trend in the Western fashion world. On the internet, hat shapers and fans frequently refer to the shape as the “JB shape” or the “JB brim.”
His preference for traditional felt and straw cowboy hats over helmets says a lot about his personality. After 2013, JB chose to wear a classic cowboy hat in competition instead of a protective helmet — a bold choice that reflected his deep connection to cowboy culture and his confidence in the arena. His hat shape has inspired countless fans, hat shapers, and Western wear enthusiasts who search specifically for the JB Mauney hat shape. Hat shops across the U.S. and Latin America regularly get requests for “the JB style,” which speaks to just how influential his look has become beyond bull riding itself. That is a legacy that extends beyond any championship belt or trophy.
JB Mauney as Coach
Retirement from riding did not mean retirement from the sport. In 2024, JB Mauney stepped into a brand-new role as head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters, one of the PBR Team Series’ newest franchises. The team played its first-ever event during “Wildcatter Days” in Oklahoma City in July 2024 — a historic moment for the franchise and for JB personally.
His coaching style mirrors everything he was as a rider: no-nonsense, tough, and grounded in genuine respect. He has said that coaching is “the most stressful thing” he has ever done, and that he would still rather be riding. But he is all in. In one unforgettable moment, he actually jumped into the arena during a competition to shield one of his young riders from being trampled by a bull. The team was fined for it, but nobody cared. That is the kind of coach and leader he is. In March 2025, the Oklahoma Wildcatters won the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge — a strong early sign that the Dragon Slayer leads as well as he rides.
FAQs
1. How old is JB Mauney right now?
JB Mauney was born on January 9, 1987, making him 39 years old as of 2026. He has had a career spanning over 18 years in professional bull riding before his retirement in 2023.
2. What is JB Mauney’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is between $6 million and $8 million, based on his $7.4 million in PBR career earnings, sponsorships, coaching income, ranch assets, and other business ventures. He is the highest-earning athlete in the history of Western sports.
3. Who is JB Mauney’s wife?
JB Mauney is married to Samantha Lyne Mauney, a professional barrel racer and daughter of five-time PRCA World Champion Phil Lyne. They married on January 3, 2017, and live together on their ranch in Stephenville, Texas.
4. How many kids does JB Mauney have?
He has two children. His daughter Bella Mauney was born in 2011 from his first marriage. His son Jagger Briggs Mauney was born on January 23, 2019, with his current wife Samantha.
5. What injury ended JB Mauney’s career?
In 2023, JB Mauney broke his neck after being thrown from a bull. He described the feeling as a hot knife in the back of his neck. Doctors performed spinal surgery and warned him that further falls could be catastrophic. He retired shortly after, citing both medical advice and his responsibility to his young family.
6. What is the JB Mauney hat shape?
His signature JB Mauney cowboy hat style features a wide brim and a high, defined crown. Hat shapers commonly refer to this as the “JB brim” or “JB shape.” The look became so popular that fans across the U.S. and internationally request this specific style from hat shops.
Conclusion
There are cowboys. And then there is JB Mauney. From a 13-year-old kid climbing on bulls in North Carolina to a two-time PBR World Champion, the sport’s richest rider, and now a coach shaping the next generation — his journey is one of the most remarkable in all of professional sports.
He rode when he should have rested. Every time he was knocked down, he got back up. He chose the rankest bull when everyone else backed away. And when the time finally came to hang up the bull rope, he did it not out of fear, but out of love — love for his son Jagger, his daughter Bella, his wife Samantha, and the life waiting for him on the ranch in Stephenville, Texas.
The Dragon Slayer has not gone anywhere. He is just coaching now. And if the first season of the Oklahoma Wildcatters is any indication, his fire burns just as bright from the sideline as it ever did on the back of a bull. If you are a fan of JB Mauney, share this article with a fellow rodeo lover, follow the Oklahoma Wildcatters, and keep watching — because this legend’s story is far from over.