By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Josh Frost added to the Frost family legacy last year by following in the bootsteps of his cousin Lane Frost and winning the 46th Annual George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding.
This year, a new champion could be crowned at the longest, continuous, stand-alone bull riding in the world as Frost is not scheduled to compete at this year’s event.
Winning the George Paul last year was a giant stepping stone for Frost. He went on to win 10 other events and capped his 2024 season by winning his first PRCA world bull riding championship with total earnings of $476,887. He also won the average at the National Finals Rodeo in December, adding another $265,000 to his coffers.
However, Frost took the latter part of the 2024 season off to try and rehab a shoulder injury before returning at the NFR. The injury was thought to require surgery, and sure enough he had rotator cuff surgery and has not competed at an event thus far this season.
But Frost’s absence opens the door for a new champion to make his name or for former champions to add to their legacies.
One of those cowboys that should be favored to win their first George Paul buckle is Wacey Schalla of Arapaho, Ok. The current leader in the PRCA’s bull riding standings already has six wins under his belt in 2025 and has earned over $130,000 competing in bull riding and bareback riding. He’s currently ranked second in the all-around division.
Sitting at number one in the all-around, and second in the bull riding, is Stetson Wright from Beaver, Utah. Wright is not currently listed as competing at the George Paul on either night, but he has felt the dirt at the world-famous Val Verde County Fairgrounds and fans shouldn’t be surprised if he is added to one of the nights before the weekend is said and done.
As for the rest of the top five riders in the PRCA, the third, fourth and fifth riders in the standings are scheduled to compete in Del Rio this weekend.
Tristen Hutchings of Monteview, Idaho is ranked third and is scheduled to compete on Saturday night. He’s drawn Zebulon for his first bull.
TJ Gray of Dairy, Ore., who is ranked fourth in the current standings, is scheduled to ride on Friday night. If his name sounds familiar it’s because Gray’s name is etched among the champions of the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, winning the event in 2021.
Mason Moody of Letcher, SD, rounds out the top five. He is slated to ride Corn Pop Saturday night in the long go round.
Cody Teel, the 2015 George Paul winner, will ride Friday night. He will be looking to become the ninth rider to win multiple championship buckles in Del Rio. Also competing this weekend will be 2023 PRCA World Bull Riding champion Ky Hamilton.
The 47th Annual George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding begins at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. This is a ticketed event. Contact the bull riding office at 830-775-9595 for ticket information.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
