Maverick Potter pictured on Flea Flicker (88.5 pts) at the Fort Worth Tuff Hedeman Challenge bull riding in April. Potter was the only qualified ride in the championship round to seal the win at the the IFYR Championship bull riding title in Shawnee, Oklahoma on July12.
Congratulations to Maverick Potter of Waxahachie, Texas. We first saw Maverick Potter this season as a pro bull rider in April at the Tuff Hedeman Challenge Bull Riding in Fort Worth. Potter when he returned to the site of his youth where he rode and won the Tuff Hedman Cripple Creek Jr. Challenge Steer riding competition as a youth.
Potter’s Facebook post on July 10, 2019 from Shawnee, site of the IFYR Finals.
Last night he outlasted the long list of accomplished bull riders from around the world to take the IFYR 2019 bull riding title and a total earnings check for $2,250.90.
The 27th International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR), the world’s richest youth rodeo, came to a close July 12 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The IFYR awarded more than $250,000 in prize money, championship saddles and buckles at the final performance.
Bull Riding Champion- Maverick Potter
Maverick Potter was the only one to cover his bull in the short round of the IFYR. He came in first in the average to the short go. “He was a good bull, he was away from my hand, a little strong, spinner – he’s one of the ones you wanted,” said the 18-year-old from Waxahachie, Texas. Maverick started riding when he was 9 years old along with his cousin. “We went to a guy named Lonnie Austin and he helped me.”
He high school rodeoed through the years, but sat out this year due to a broken ankle. He has a rod from his hip to his knee as well as no growth plates in his ankles. “I hobble around, but I love riding bulls – it gets your adrenaline going.” This is his second year at the IFYR. “I like the atmosphere – it’s like a pro rodeo – the crowd gets real loud.”
He’s going to put his earnings from the IFYR into more entry fees or buy something nice for his girlfriend, Mallory Witherspoon. Maverick flies out Sunday to enter pro rodeos in Idaho. “Then I’m going to Cheyenne – that was one of my goals. My family and my girlfriend give me the motivation and support to keep going.”
2019 IFRY Champions (complete list below)
The IFYR boasted 825 registered contestants and 1,304 event entries. The week long competition included two long-go’s and 10 performances, with the top 15 contestants with the highest averages from each event competed in the finale held last night.
IFYR Final Bull Riding Results
1, M. Potter, Waxahachie, TX, 155.5 points on 3 bulls, Total Earnings: $2,250.90. 2, JR Stratford, Bronaugh, MO, 154.5 on 3, $4,007.70. 3, T. Armstrong, Broken Bow, OK, 111 on 3, $1070.55. 4, Cole Skender, Crossett, AR, 79.5 (round 1 win) on 3, $1,290.15.5. ryleen Dees, Paola, KS, 75 on 3, $850.95
The 2019 International Finals Youth Rodeo Champions are:
Bull Riding Champion Maverick Potter of Waxahachie, Texas
Bareback Bronc Riding Champion Hunter Ramsey of El Dorado, Arkansas
Team Roping Champions Stran Morris of Woodward, Oklahoma, and Jessen James of Moyers, Oklahoma
Pole Bending Champion Reagan Davis of Alto, Texas
Steer Wrestling Champion Winsten McGraw of Gill, Colorado
Saddle Bronc Champion Timothy Troyer of Columbia, Kentucky
Goat Tying Champion Heather McLaughlin of Bunnell, Florida
Tie Down Roping Champion Trevor Hale of Perryton, Texas
Barrel Racing Champion Patricia Walden of Wister, Oklahoma
All Around Cowgirl Faith John of Punta Gorda, Florida
All Around Cowboy Connor Atkinson of Needville, Texas
