PUEBLO, Colo. – Mauricio Moreira was 9 years old when his father, Redner, won the 53rd bull riding competition at the prestigious Barretos rodeo in Brazil in 2008.
According to Mauricio, Redner was faced with a decision later that year as he had an opportunity to come to the United States and ride professionally in the PBR.
It was a decision that Redner did not take lightly, and he opted to remain in Brazil and stay with his family.
Redner recently said goodbye to his son as Mauricio moved to the United States this past January to pursue a career in the U.S.
Mauricio has since risen to No. 17 in the world standings, and has earned a full-time spot on the Unleash The Beast.
The 20-year-old said a big reason he has come to the United States at such a young age is his father.
“My dad had an opportunity to come over here in 2008, and he kind of regretted it, so I thought, well, I am going to take my chances,” Moreira said with the help of Paulo Crimber translating two weeks ago during his Unleash The Beast debut in Little Rock, Arkansas. “I saw I didn’t have a big future in Brazil. There is not many events over there. The money is nothing compared to here.”
Moreira went 1-for-3 in his debut before breaking out this past weekend at the non-public Gwinnett Invitational.
The rookie won two of three rounds in Duluth to finish his second career event in second place. Moreira won Round 1 with an 87.75-point ride on Freakin Wicked before winning the championship round with a career-best 91.25-point ride on Big Black.
RELATED: Moreira wins Round 1 in Duluth
“It is really amazing because if you are here, with the best bull riders in the whole wide world, that means you are doing something right,” Moreira said.
Moreira jumped from No. 43 to No. 17 in the world standings to assert himself on the Unleash the Beast.
He is also now No. 2 in the rookie race, and trails Rookie of the Year leader Cole Melancon by 134.67 points.
“Being this young like I am, to come out here and be in the middle of the pack, that is very good,” he said.
Moreira attempted his first calf when he was 8 years old, under the tutelage of his father.
He would follow his dad all across Brazil, and look on from the back of the chutes as Redner won various bull ridings and rodeos.
Of course, there were celebrities in the United States for him to look up to – World Champions like Guilherme Marchi, Silvano Alves and J.B. Mauney.
However, Moreira’s biggest idol and hero was his dad.
“My dad has taught me ever since I was younger,” he said.
Once he turned 15 years old, Moreira was able to start competing at a rodeos in Brazil on a permit basis.
There were some events where father and son would compete side by side, which was helpful for Mauricio whenever he was upset with his struggles.
“At the beginning of my career, it was very rough because I didn’t draw very good and I didn’t ride many bulls,” Mauricio said. “I had to learn how to deal with judges, buckoffs and disappointment.”
Mauricio stuck with it, though, and qualified for the prestigious Barretos rodeo with his father.
Both father and son competed together on one of the biggest stages in Brazil.
“Since he was a child, he accompanied me, rode on horses, on a calf, and one day he decided he wanted to participate in a rodeo,” Redner said at the time. “I was very supportive, but, at the time, the heart is tight, it gives a concern for his safety. The father ‘side’ speaks louder.”
Mauricio added, “I'm at a loss for words to fight alongside the person who is my greatest reference, who taught me everything. However, it is a competition with big names, and my father's presence and support makes me more comfortable, gives me more security.”
At 20 years old, Moreira the third-youngest Brazilian to debut on the premier series. Crimber was the youngest when he competed at 18 years old at the 1998 event in Calgary, and 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco is the second-youngest at 19 years old (2014 Last Cowboy Standing).
Moreira has relied on the guidance of veteran Fabiano Vieira, who rode with his father in Brazil, to learn how to adjust living in Decatur, Texas.
Moreira will turn 21 in June, and he will look to join Pacheco as a Rookie of the Year winner later this season.
“I am going to work on trying to stay and continue to be here,” he said.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko