Bareback rider Paul Mayo, won two world championships and qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 11 times.
Mayo, along with his brothers, Don and Bob, and Jim Houston, is credited with altering the style of bareback riding in the 1960s, taking a position farther back on the horse, and being “a little more wild.” Mayo, of Sutherland Springs, Texas, became so expert at the technique that he won gold buckles in 1966 and 1970 and was the reserve world champion three times (1965, 1967 and 1971), losing the ’65 title to Houston by just $641.
A talented all-around hand, Mayo, 68, also qualified twice for the NFR in bull riding, rode saddle broncs and occasionally roped steers. He twice finished among the top three in the world all-around standings and won the Linderman Award for all-around excellence at both ends of the arena in 1968.
