2-Time World Champ Had Double Hip Surgery. Now He’s Chasing an Impossible Rodeo Comeback

Shad Mayfield told everyone he would be back, and he kept his promise. Now, he needs to make a significant push if he wants to return to the box at the Thomas and Mack Center in December 2026.

There’s no doubt that Mayfield has the ability to achieve this. He is a seven-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier with nearly $2 million in career earnings. Having his name listed as “unranked” is something that hasn’t happened in his impressive career.

Mayfield is a two-time World Champion, and he knows exactly what it takes to make his eighth appearance at the NFR. His journey back into the rodeo world has been anything but easy.

The Comeback

Mayfield didn’t just take a break—he had to undergo major surgery to rebuild his hips. The medical condition he faced was called Femoroacetabular Impingement, along with a macro-fracture surgery. He had this procedure done twice during his time away from the sport.

The first surgery took place immediately after the 2025 NFR on December 18, and then he returned for the second surgery on March 26. Now, he’s back in the arena, ready to remind everyone that he’s not only back but also aiming for the standings.

His performance began to show signs of improvement in June, with events in Reno, Nevada; Mesquite, Texas; Pecos, Texas; and Lehi, Utah. So far, Mayfield is regaining his footing and working through the mental challenges of returning from two major surgeries.

He is currently ranked fifth in the average at the Reno Rodeo, where he tied his first run with a 9.1 and followed it up with a consistent 9.2 in the second round. He will compete in his first short round of the 2026 season on Saturday evening.

Moving Up the World Standings

The tie-down roping world standings are led by three-time World Champion Riley Webb, who has earned over $166,000 this season. He holds a strong lead over Kincade Henry, who has accumulated $124,744. Both of them are far ahead of the rest of the competition, with Shane Hanchey in third place at $72,144.

For Mayfield, the goal is clearly to reach the top. However, the most important number right now is how much he needs to earn to secure the No. 15 position. That cutoff spot is currently held by Ty Harris, who has $46,697 as of June 27.

On the same date, Mayfield has only $3,648 in his account. But for a World Champion like Mayfield, the show is just beginning. It will be exciting to watch what he can accomplish in the next three months.

The Fourth of July and Beyond

The Fourth of July is a great time for athletes to hit a hot streak. Last year, bull rider Hayes Weight made headlines by earning more than $52,000 during the Cowboy Christmas period.

So, is it possible for Mayfield? Absolutely. Can he do it? Definitely. How will the rodeo road treat him? No one knows for sure.

Everyone loves a comeback, and the rodeo world will be watching closely as Mayfield tries to shake up the standings once again.