Tristan Mize Wins Fort Mohave X Bulls for Second Time
By Matt Naber
FORT MOHAVE, Ariz. – Bull rider Tristan Mize continues to thrive on rough rides in the arena and on the road. History repeated when Mize won the Fort Mohave (Ariz.) Classic Xtreme Bulls event March 2 for the second time after multiple travel delays.
“We missed our first flight and were on standby, and then flew to LAX and were on standby for Las Vegas and they were full. So we rented a car and drove from L.A. to Fort Mohave, and we barely made it,” Mize said. “It was a pretty long trip, and I lost my phone at the airport, so it was a heck of a trip.”
Two years ago as a rookie, the Bryan, Texas, cowboy won Fort Mohave with 173 points on two head. This time around he made an almost identical repeat performance with 173.5 points on two head.
“I really like that event since it was my first X Bulls win, and it was nice going back there since I have a lot of confidence in Fort Mohave,” Mize said. “I think I do well there because you get on good bulls and they have a good atmosphere and a lot energy in the arena and good bull riders, too.”
Mize made two second-place rides to win the average at Fort Mohave. He placed second in the first round with 85.5 points and returned to the arena for an 88-point ride.
“I like winning the X Bulls a lot because it’s just bull riding,” Mize said. “It’s nice to do them back to back. I think the first one warms you up, it gets your motor running for the second one and you have the jitters out.”
In addition to his 2017 and 2019 Fort Mohave wins, Mize also won the Llano (Texas) Wild West Xtreme Bulls event in 2018.
“It’s just as sweet as the first time,” Mize said.
Mize joined the PRCA in 2016 and went on to place second in the 2017 PRCA | Resistol Rookie Bull Riding Standings with $85,957. The 2018 season didn’t go as well for the Texas cowboy as he finished 28th with $58,813.
“My rookie year in 2017 was a good year,” Mize said. “Last year didn’t go so good, but I’m definitely looking to go to the Finals, and I want a world title. I’m going to rodeo as hard as I can and as smart as I can at the same time. I will be entered up deep this summer – you have to be nowadays, as hard as they are going, you have to go hard too.”
Before his Fort Mohave win, Mize was 30th in the 2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $14,171 and 27th in the Xtreme Bulls Standings with $3,948. Now, he can add $12,149 to each of those and his bank account.
“It’s always good to get a jump at the beginning of the year, but I try not to look at it or pay attention to it too much,” Mize said. “It definitely feels good and helps you not worry much and gives you money to travel.”
Getting down the road is hard enough without having financial hurdles to overcome. Although he’s still relatively new to ProRodeo, Mize is well versed with travel delays, and his story has been a unique one.
In February 2018, Mize and his former travel partner Clayton Sellars missed their flight to the final go-round at the Yuma (Ariz.) Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo and quickly learned he was one month too young to rent a car. But there was a loophole – they could rent a U-Haul, and that’s how they got to the rodeo in time. (Full story here)
Now, 13 months later, Mize is 22. This meant he could rent a car to get himself and fellow bull rider Lex Oakley from Los Angeles to Fort Mohave.
“I’m definitely used to it – every time I try to fly it’s something,” Mize laughed. “I like driving because it’s easier. Hopefully the rest of the year is smoother.”
The harshness and grit of rodeo isn’t limited to the arena, the journey can be just as arduous. But just like bull riding, a positive mental attitude makes all the difference.
“Confidence is the main thing, I think,” Mize said. “That’s the hardest thing to keep when going down the road. It’s easy to get down on yourself, so just believe in yourself and try not to think about the past. If I make it (to the rodeo), I make it. And if I don’t, then it wasn’t meant to be. Stressing out doesn’t help, so just go with the flow.”
For more coverage of the Fort Mohave Xtreme Bulls, check out the March 8 edition of ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA