The Ironmen Of Rodeo: Meet The 2024 PRCA World Champions Who Earned Their Gold Buckles
The 2024 ProRodeo season culminated in a dramatic, record-setting finish at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada, crowning a new class of PRCA World Champions. The competition, which wrapped up in December 2024, saw razor-thin margins and massive payouts, with several athletes securing their first-ever gold buckles while others cemented their legacies with repeat wins. This comprehensive breakdown provides the final, updated list of every 2024 World Champion, their official total earnings, and the incredible stories behind their season-long dominance.
The total prize money distributed shattered previous records, with the world titles often coming down to the final few rounds of the NFR. From the sheer grit of the roughstock events to the precision of the timed events, the 2024 class of champions represents the absolute pinnacle of professional rodeo talent, proving that consistency, not just a single win, is the key to earning the coveted World Champion status.
The Complete Roster: 2024 PRCA & WPRA World Champions and Final Earnings
The following cowboys and cowgirl finished the 2024 season at the top of the PRCA and WPRA World Standings, securing their World Champion titles based on total season earnings, including their massive payouts from the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). This list includes the official champions in the seven main PRCA events, the All-Around title, and the WPRA Barrel Racing Champion.
- All-Around World Champion: Shad Mayfield
- Bareback Riding World Champion: Dean Thompson
- Steer Wrestling World Champion: J.D. Struxness
- Team Roping World Champion (Header): Tyler Wade
- Team Roping World Champion (Heeler): Wesley Thorp
- Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion: Ryder Wright
- Tie-Down Roping World Champion: Riley Mason Webb
- Bull Riding World Champion: Josh Frost
- WPRA Barrel Racing World Champion: Kassie Mowry
Shad Mayfield: The All-Around King by a Whisker
The race for the PRCA All-Around World Championship was arguably the most thrilling of the 2024 season, coming down to the final round of the NFR. Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield clinched the title, his second career All-Around gold buckle, by a minuscule margin of just $675 over his closest competitor. Mayfield’s clutch performance in Round 10 secured the necessary earnings to edge out the competition, highlighting the high stakes of the final event. His ability to compete at an elite level in multiple events—specifically tie-down roping and team roping—is what separates the All-Around Champion from the single-event winners, demonstrating a holistic mastery of the sport.
Shad Mayfield Biography & Profile:
- Hometown: Clovis, New Mexico
- Total 2024 Earnings: Over $356,000 (Final official total)
- World Titles: 2 (2020, 2024 All-Around)
- Key 2024 Achievement: Winning the All-Around title by the narrowest of margins at the NFR.
The Roughstock Champions: Grit, Power, and Record Earnings
The roughstock events—Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, and Bull Riding—are the heart of rodeo, and the 2024 champions showcased incredible athleticism and mental toughness. Each winner dominated their respective PRCA World Standings, often by placing consistently in the NFR average, which provides a massive payout.
Dean Thompson: Bareback Riding’s New Star
Bareback riding saw the coronation of a new champion in 22-year-old Dean Thompson. The Utah cowboy secured his first-ever Bareback Riding World Championship with a stellar season that saw him top the standings with over $412,000 in earnings. Thompson’s consistent high scores throughout the year, combined with a strong showing at the NFR, earned him both the NFR Average Championship and the World Title, a rare and prestigious double victory.
Dean Thompson Biography & Profile:
- Hometown: Altamont, Utah
- Total 2024 Earnings: $412,121
- World Titles: 1 (2024 Bareback Riding)
- Key 2024 Achievement: Winning both the PRCA World Title and the NFR Average Championship in his event.
Ryder Wright: Cementing the Saddle Bronc Dynasty
The Wright family dynasty in Saddle Bronc Riding continued its reign as Ryder Wright captured his third career gold buckle (2017, 2020, 2024). Ryder, a member of the famous rodeo family from Beaver, Utah, finished the season as the highest earner in the event. His skill and consistency on the rankest horses in the sport solidified his position among the all-time greats. With season earnings approaching half a million dollars, Wright's 2024 season was a masterclass in roughstock riding.
Ryder Wright Biography & Profile:
- Hometown: Beaver, Utah
- Total 2024 Earnings: $479,957
- World Titles: 3 (2017, 2020, 2024 Saddle Bronc Riding)
- Career Milestone: Surpassing $2.9 million in career earnings.
Josh Frost: The Bull Riding Powerhouse
In the most dangerous event in rodeo, Josh Frost stormed to his first Bull Riding World Championship. The Utah cowboy, known for his relentless style, covered seven of his ten bulls at the NFR, a phenomenal achievement that secured his gold buckle. Frost’s season earnings topped the entire PRCA, making him the highest earner of all the 2024 champions, a testament to the high-dollar nature of the bull riding circuit and his consistent performance. His victory was a defining moment in his career, following multiple NFR qualifications.
Josh Frost Biography & Profile:
- Hometown: Randlett, Utah
- Total 2024 Earnings: Over $476,887
- World Titles: 1 (2024 Bull Riding)
- Key 2024 Achievement: Highest earner among all 2024 PRCA World Champions.
The Timed Event Experts: Precision and Speed
The timed events—Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, and Tie-Down Roping—demand lightning-fast reflexes and flawless execution. The 2024 champions in these events won through sheer consistency and an ability to shave off critical milliseconds.
Riley Mason Webb: Back-to-Back Tie-Down Roping Dominance
In Tie-Down Roping, Riley Mason Webb successfully defended his title, becoming the back-to-back World Champion. Webb’s talent for speed and accuracy in the arena is unparalleled, allowing him to accumulate massive earnings throughout the regular season and the NFR. His final earnings placed him well over the $400,000 mark, a figure that highlights his consistent placement and round wins against a field of elite competitors, including All-Around Champion Shad Mayfield.
Riley Mason Webb Biography & Profile:
- Hometown: Denton, Texas
- Total 2024 Earnings: Over $417,743
- World Titles: 2 (2023, 2024 Tie-Down Roping)
- Key 2024 Achievement: Second consecutive World Championship, demonstrating sustained excellence.
J.D. Struxness: The Steer Wrestling Breakthrough
The Steer Wrestling World Champion title went to J.D. Struxness, who secured his first-ever gold buckle. Struxness, known for his power and technique, won the title by the slimmest of margins—just $1,507—over runner-up Will Lummus. His victory was a testament to the value of consistency, as he benefited significantly from placing well in the NFR Average standings, proving that every dollar earned throughout the season matters in the final standings.
J.D. Struxness Biography & Profile:
- Hometown: Milan, Minnesota
- Total 2024 Earnings: $309,220
- World Titles: 1 (2024 Steer Wrestling)
- Career Milestone: Clinched his first World Championship in his sixth NFR qualification.
Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp: Back-to-Back Team Roping Gold
In a rare feat of synchronized excellence, the duo of Tyler Wade (Header) and Wesley Thorp (Heeler) secured their second consecutive Team Roping World Championship, a back-to-back victory. Their partnership is one of the most dominant in modern team roping, combining Wade’s flawless head catches with Thorp’s quick and accurate heel shots. Their consistent performance in both the regular season and the high-pressure NFR rounds ensured they topped the PRCA World Standings for their respective positions, leaving no doubt about their status as the best team in the world.
Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp Biography & Profile:
- Tyler Wade (Header) Hometown: Terrell, Texas
- Wesley Thorp (Heeler) Hometown: Throckmorton, Texas
- World Titles: 2 (2023, 2024 Team Roping)
- Key 2024 Achievement: Back-to-back World Titles, establishing a new era of dominance in the event.
The WPRA Champion: Kassie Mowry’s Emotional Victory
The WPRA Barrel Racing World Championship was a dramatic showdown between two legends, with Kassie Mowry finally capturing her first-ever gold buckle, edging out four-time champion Hailey Kinsel. Mowry’s emotional victory capped a challenging but ultimately triumphant year, with her final season earnings of over $457,000 securing the title. Her win underscores the intense competition and high level of performance required to succeed in the WPRA, especially at the NFR.
Kassie Mowry Biography & Profile:
- Hometown: Dublin, Texas
- Total 2024 Earnings: $457,809
- World Titles: 1 (2024 WPRA Barrel Racing)
- Key 2024 Achievement: First career World Championship after a year of intense competition and personal challenges.
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