South Dakota Cowboy Mason Moody Ready to Ride at the NFR: "A Dream Come True"

The month of December brings the world's most prestigious rodeo event, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), and Northeast Radio SD had the exclusive chance to catch up with one of South Dakota's own making his debut: Bull Rider Mason Moody. Joining hosts Steve and Dorene Foster from Treasure Island in Las Vegas, Moody shared his excitement, his journey, and his preparation for the biggest 10 days of his career.

🌟 Arriving in Vegas

Moody, currently ranked 12th in the world standings, confirmed the NFR runs from December 4th through the 13th, featuring 10 intense rounds of bull riding. He admitted the reality of being at the NFR hadn't fully "set in" yet, but acknowledged that this is what he has worked his whole life for.

"Yeah, it's a dream come true for sure... These are what we dream about. These are what we worked our whole life for."

Bull riders typically get their first two draws a couple of days ahead of time, with subsequent draws announced the night before the next round, giving them about 20 hours to strategize.

Moody shared that while he has a few specific bulls he'd love to draw for a rematch—including the one he won the San Angelo Extreme Bulls on and Time Traveler—he knows every animal here is top-tier. At this level, he stressed, the goal is not just to have a successful ride but to rack up significant points, as he is competing against the 15 best bull riders in the world.

Moody reflected on the season that propelled him to Vegas, crediting:

• A great performance at the circuit finals at the beginning of the year.

• Strong showings at the Texas swing, with good paychecks from San Antonio and Houston.

• His victory at the San Angelo Extreme Bulls.

He noted that in the summer, with the grueling travel schedule, there is little time for a structured workout regimen—it's mostly "out of the wall and jump in the pickup." However, during the off-season, he focuses on gym work and practicing on his bulls at home to maintain peak physical condition.

Moody touched on his family's involvement in the bull business, primarily run by his father, which focuses on providing practice bulls.

• They keep a variety of stock, including good open bulls for Moody and solid, consistent bulls for kids just starting in 4-H and high school rodeos.

• He enjoys helping the next generation, though his travel limits his time for it.

When asked what advice he would give to an aspiring young bull rider, Moody's message was clear: don't look at your competition.

"You got to kind of block that out and don't let that play into your mind and let you get down in the slum. You got to use it as motivation to keep going. And at the end of the day, a lot of hard work pays off."

A large, supportive group in Vegas backs Moody. His parents, girlfriend, and her parents are attending all 10 days, with the rest of his family rotating in shifts to watch him ride.

You can follow Mason Moody's journey at the National Finals Rodeo nightly on the Cowboy Channel and RFD TV, or stream it live on the Cowboy Channel app, with the rodeo airing at 7:45 PM CST.

Good luck, Mason Moody! Make South Dakota proud!

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