In 1992, a group of 20 determined bull riders made a decision that would forever change the Western sports world. They broke away from traditional rodeo, believing that bull riding could – and should – stand on its own as a legitimate, professional sport. That bold move led to the creation of what would become PBR – Professional Bull Riders – a revolutionary sports organization built by the very athletes competing.

In1994, the first full season took place with the inaugural PBR World Champion crowned. That year, ending with Adriano Moraes as the first champion, marked the true beginning of standalone bull riding as a sport as we know it today.

Now, here we are in 2025, 31 seasons later—and the debate still echoes in every locker room, production truck, and fanfilled arena: Who are the greatest riders in PBR history?

This is my take.

Over the last three decades, we’ve witnessed riders with grit that can’t be measured, consistency that defies the odds, and rides that redefined what’s possible on the back of 1,800 pounds of muscle. Some ruled an entire era. Others changed the game forever. And a few left legacies so powerful they’ll never be forgotten. This list isn’t just about gold buckles; it’s about greatness in every form.

So how did I come up with this list?

I debated whether to base this on every level of PBR competition – Velocity Tour, Challenger events, and Touring Pro. But in the end I focused strictly on Premier Series events (Bud Light Cup, Built Ford Tough, and Unleash The Beast). This is where legends are made – man versus beast at the highest level.

I also excluded all Team Series stats. What counts here is individual greatness.

These rankings reflect how each rider performed on the biggest stage against the toughest competition in their era on their own. without training camps, coaching or locker room team support.

Are you ready to find out who they are? Well, then let’s ride.

No. 10 – Mike Lee

Category	Stat
Hometown	Decatur, TX
Home Country	USA
Total Outs	1,181
Total Rides	525
Total 90-Point Rides	23
Average Ride Score	85.632
Highest Ride Score	93.75
Ride Percentage	44.45 %
Total Event Wins	14
Total Round Wins	36
Short Go Outs	185
Short Go Rides	61
Short Go 90-Point Rides	12
Short Go Average Score	88.50
Short Go Highest Score	93.75
Short Go Ride Percentage	32.97 %
Short Go Round Wins	8
High Score	93.75
High Score City	Las Vegas, NV
High Score Date	10/28/2004
Career Earnings	$3,998,140.36

Mike Lee is one of the most prolific bull riders in PBR history. He has 1,899 total outs across all levels. That is a ton of bulls and may be why his riding percentage is slightly lower than most others on this list.

But Mike ranks fourth all time for qualified rides on the premier series level with 525 – a remarkable feat. Add in his approach—always calm, cool, and collected. Every time I was around him, he seemed very quiet, very reserved, and a little shy at times. When you’re as consistent as he is, your riding speaks for itself.

As recent as 2023, Mike was still active in PBR competition such as the Velocity Tour. And I remember how impressed I was as a teenager wanting worse than my next breath to be in the same position those guys were during the PBR World Finals. To have watched Mike become the first man ever to win the PBR World Finals and the PBR World Championship in the same year means something.

The fact that his career lasted this long proves to me one thing – you can look at all the stats, and sure, that alone lands him solidly at number 10. But he did it all for the right reasons – because he loved it. The money gets spent, the buckles get tarnished, but the memories last a lifetime. And that’s why he continued to ride up until 2023.

Make no mistake about it – he still wanted to win. Mike sits among one of the most respected riders in any locker room in the history of our sport, and today he spends time mentoring his son, helping ensure the next generation of bull riding is in great hands.

I can’t wait to see if there’s another world champion in the Lee family in the future. Only time will tell. But Mike’s name – and the way he went about his career – will forever etch his name in the history books.

No. 9 – Kaique Pacheco

Category	Stat
Hometown	Itatiba, SP · BRA
Premier Series Outs	839
Qualified Rides	411
90-Point Rides	36
Ride Percentage	48.99 %
Average Ride Score	85.695
High Score	94 (Oklahoma City, OK – 4/17/2021)
Event Wins	23
Round Wins	61
Short Go Outs	129
Short Go Rides	57
Short Go 90-Point Rides	13
Short Go Ride Percentage	44.19 %
Short Go Average Score	87.399
Short Go High Score	92.75
Short Go Round Wins	18
Career Earnings	$4,134,292.97
All-Time Money Rank	No. 6
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 16
PBR Rookie of the Year	2015

Simply known as “The Ice Man,” Pacheco has quietly and stoically made a very big name for himself. His résumé, topped with the 2018 World Championship, speaks volumes—and by itself is enough to land him on this list.

But when Pacheco is truly dialed in and focused, there are very few bulls out there that can get him on the ground, even at the highest level of professional bull riding. Nothing seems to phase Pacheco. He has ice water running through his veins. And if not for injuries and other factors, I’m sure by now he would have multiple world titles. But the best part is—his career is far from over, riding individually and now for the Austin Gamblers in PBR Teams, where he’s also won a championship and next weekend attempts to play his part in making more PBR history on the first team to win back-to-back PBR Teams titles.

So only time will tell how many gold buckles and championship accolades Pacheco will have by the time he hangs up his bull rope for good. 

No. 8 – Jess Lockwood

Category	Stat
Hometown	Volborg, MT · USA
Premier Series Outs	344
Qualified Rides	154
90-Point Rides	33
Ride Percentage	44.77 %
Average Ride Score	87.166
High Score	94 (Nampa, ID – 10/19/2019)
Event Wins	12
Round Wins	48
Short Go Outs	53
Short Go Rides	24
Short Go 90-Point Rides	14
Short Go Ride Percentage	45.28 %
Short Go Average Score	89.594
Short Go High Score	94
Short Go Round Wins	14
Career Earnings	$4,127,927.60
All-Time Money Rank	No. 7
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 17
PBR Rookie of the Year	2016

Jess Lockwood exploded on the scene becoming the 2016 PBR Rookie of the Year. He would follow that up the very next season becoming the youngest PBR World Champion in history in 2017. Lockwood would then prove the first one was not a fluke, capturing his second world title as well as a PBR World Finals event title in 2019.

Since then, however, Lockwood has faced serious injuries that in all honesty probably should have ended his career – and would have ended most athletes’ careers.

But world champions – and bull riders in general – —are just built differently. Lockwood recently returned to competition with the Carolina Cowboys in PBR Teams and promptly started knocking down big rides. It’s going to take a while for him to regain his confidence and championship form that we are all accustomed to seeing. But given enough time, and if he can avoid serious injuries, I believe he will return to championship form.

Lockwood made a huge splash when he burst onto the scene, dominant for several seasons. And if it wasn’t for the severe, nearly career-ending injuries, there’s no telling how many world titles Lockwood would have by now.

He’s already proven that he belongs on this list. Stats and gold buckles don’t lie. So this lands Lockwood in the number eight position with a legacy already cemented in the record books. Because very few men have their name etched in gold. And even fewer at the premier series level of bull riding have their name etched into two gold buckles.

No. 7 – Guilherme Marchi

Category	Stat
Hometown	Três Lagoas, MS · BRA
Premier Series Outs	1,174
Qualified Rides	637
90-Point Rides	51
Ride Percentage	54.26 %
Average Ride Score	85.375
High Score	94 (Nampa, ID – 4/5/2009)
Event Wins	25
Round Wins	52
Short Go Outs	207
Short Go Rides	98
Short Go 90-Point Rides	34
Short Go Ride Percentage	47.34 %
Short Go Average Score	88.224
Short Go High Score	94
Short Go Round Wins	16
Career Earnings	$5,333,428.68
All-Time Money Rank	No. 4
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 5

Guilherme Marchi is the most consistent and prolific bull rider in PBR history when it comes to qualified rides at the elite level of bull riding, with 635 qualified rides. That’s an astonishing number that may never be reached again. Not only that, but he is a super charismatic, super nice guy that everybody just can’t help but love to be around.

He was also the first and only bull rider featured on the cover of Men’s Fitness.

Back when I was going all the time, Marchi even had his own Brazilian restaurant in Dallas.

Since retiring from the arena in 2018, Guilherme is now the assistant coach for the Kansas City Outlaws in the PBR Teams league. That right there tells you all you need to know – other than his stats – why he’s on this list, devoting his time and experience to help develop the next generation of stars.

No. 6 – Chris Shivers

Category	Stat
Hometown	Jonesville, LA · USA
Premier Series Outs	888
Qualified Rides	412
90-Point Rides	94
Ride Percentage	46.40 %
Average Ride Score	87.532
High Score	96.5 (Las Vegas, NV – 10/25/2001)
Event Wins	20
Round Wins	62
Short Go Outs	142
Short Go Rides	47
Short Go 90-Point Rides	34
Short Go Ride Percentage	33.10 %
Short Go Average Score	90.899
Short Go High Score	96.5
Short Go Round Wins	12
Career Earnings	$3,989,209.65
All-Time Money Rank	No. 8
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 1

Chris Shivers is the original Mr. 90 Points – number one all-time at the premierlevel of professional bull riding with 94 total 90-point rides. That is a mind-blowing stat even today.

Shivers was a human highlight reel, one of the flashiest bull riders of his era. Whenever he nodded, fans knew there was a chance for fireworks and somethinghistoric.

Shivers is a two-time PBR World Champion and in 2003 was the first-ever recipient of the million-dollar bonus awarded to the PBR World Champion – something that’s changed the entire trajectory of our sport.

He is also a super nice guy who is always extremely happy to visit with you. He always has a smile on his face and is a true ambassador and legend in our sport.

On a personal note, my 15th birthday was the first time I’d attended a professional bull riding event—30 minutes from my home in Springdale, Arkansas. I watched Chris Shivers walk away with $10,000 and 182.5 on two against a lineup of legends that very few have the opportunity to watch in one event. Watching Chris Shivers in person showed me that bull riding is one of the most beautiful dances when done correctly. You can’t outpower them. All you can really do is let them lead and you follow, matching their every move in perfect rhythm, timing – and of course he gave them both the boots and the spurs. After that moment, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life in this industry.

So Chris, thank you from the very bottom of my heart for showing me that when done correctly, bull riding is the most beautiful thing you’ll ever see. You were the first to show me that – and you lit a fire in me that still burns even hotter today than it ever has.

No. 5 – Justin McBride

Category	Stat
Hometown	Elk City, OK · USA
Premier Series Outs	664
Qualified Rides	374
90-Point Rides	74
Ride Percentage	56.33 %
Average Ride Score	87.045
High Score	95.5
Event Wins	32
Round Wins	64
Career Earnings	$5,410,506.38
All-Time Money Rank	No. 5
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 4

Justin McBride is one of the greatest bull riders of any era – so much balance, so much control. He rode with a very loose bull rope compared to most guys because he had so much natural ability and balance. He didn’t have to pull his rope very tight – as long as his body was in the right position at the right time, he took care of business. And that he did, dominating through the majority of his career as a two-time PBR World Champion.

In 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada, he showed the world just how bad he wanted to be the best bull rider in the world –hanging off the side of Camo for what seemed like an eternity for the lowest score that McBride probably kept during the World Finals – because all he had to do was stay on for eight seconds to win the world title…which he willed himself to do.

McBride sits fourth all time in the 90-point club with an incredible 74 90-point rides throughout his premier series career. He would finally swap his bull rope for a guitar, recording two studio albums and a “Live at Billy Bob’s” CD/DVD combo collection. He would be invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, broadening the reach of professional bull riding further through his music.

Now as coach of the Nashville Stampede, inaugural PBR Teams league champions in 2022, McBride continues to share his knowledge and help mold the next generation toward their own greatness.

One thing that stands out .To my knowledge, McBride is still the richest man in history when it comes to a single bull ride. Aboard Scene of the Crash, he would pocket $200,000 in eight seconds worth of work. For that, and everything else mentioned above, McBride solidly lands in the number five spot. Hats off to a phenomenal career.

No. 4 – Adriano Moraes

Category	Stat
Hometown	Cachoeira Paulista, SP · BRA
Premier Series Outs	624
Qualified Rides	337
90-Point Rides	47
Ride Percentage	54.01 %
Average Ride Score	86.064
High Score	95 (Houston, TX – 8/5/2000)
Event Wins	29
Round Wins	19
Short Go Outs	114
Short Go Rides	54
Short Go 90-Point Rides	26
Short Go Ride Percentage	47.37 %
Short Go Average Score	89.597
Short Go High Score	95
Short Go Round Wins	7
Career Earnings	$3,961,581.15
All-Time Money Rank	No. 13
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 6

Adriano Moraes is known as the pioneering star Brazilian bull rider who came to America and had tremendous success inside the arena. He was the inaugural PBR World Champion in 1994, and if not for a broken leg late in the 1997 regular season, he may very well have become the first four-time World Champion in PBR history. It took everything the G-Man, Michael Gaffney, had – and a little bit of luck – to finally catch Adriano at the PBR World Finals and win his one and only world title that year.

Then, with one title, Adriano wasn’t done yet.

He came back and won his second world title in 2001, and then again in 2006 – at the age of 36 – becoming the oldest PBR World Champion in history and the first to win three PBR world titles.

While what he did in the arena was impressive, it’s what Moraes did outside of it that helped shape the future of the sport. He opened the floodgates for other riders from Brazil to follow in his footsteps and chase the same dream. He assisted in the launch of PBR Brazil and helped turn PBR into a global sport. He’s been a mentor and a leader, helping countless riders from his home country adjust to American culture, overcome language barriers, and adapt to the faster, stronger bulls found here on the premier series.

Because of all the firsts he achieved, and everything he’s done to grow the sport globally, Adriano Moraes belongs solidly at No. 4 on this list.

No. 3 – Silvano Alves

Category	Stat
Hometown	Pilar do Sul, SP · BRA
Premier Series Outs	1,175
Qualified Rides	527
90-Point Rides	14
Ride Percentage	44.85 %
Average Ride Score	84.280
High Score	92.5 (Las Vegas, NV – 5/11/2013)
Event Wins	15
Round Wins	30
Short Go Outs	153
Short Go Rides	59
Short Go 90-Point Rides	7
Short Go Ride Percentage	38.56 %
Short Go Average Score	86.360
Short Go High Score	92.25
Short Go Round Wins	9
Career Earnings	$6,841,110.92
All-Time Money Rank	No. 3
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 52
PBR Rookie of the Year	2010

Silvano Alves – with all his records and stats to back up why he belongs on this list – why do I find myself struggling to put him on this list? I guess it was just the way that he approached the sport. He sure wasn’t there to take his re-rides. He wanted scores, no matter what they were. And that’s definitely something that I’m not used to seeing or would recommend. Because to me, if you’re not there to win first every single time you nod your head, then stay home.

And I know for me personally, I couldn’t look myself in the mirror that night or the next day, knowing that I could’ve taken a re-ride and given myself the best chance possible to win – especially if that opportunity was due to a lack of performance on the bull’s part.

But Silvano’s strategy was completely different. And it shocked a lot of people at first – including myself. But at the end of the day, it’s up to each individual what they want to do. And it’s hard to argue with the success that Alves has had.

He was the 2010 PBR Rookie of the Year – the first bull rider in PBR history to win back-to-back world titles in 2011 and 2012. He would accomplish that feat one more time in 2014 and become only the second man in PBR history to win three world championships in his career. Silvano is ranked among the very best as far as qualified rides go – he’s third all time on the premier series with an impressive 527. He quite simply just did his job more times than anyone else.

Could he have made a little more money doing it the way that I believe you’re supposed to do it and approach it? Probably. But he still sits third on the all-time money list with over $6 million to his credit.

So, whether we like his approach or not, it’s hard to argue with those numbers. Being one of only three men in the history of the PBR to win three world titles, I don’t care how he approached it;he did it his way. And his way worked. That’s why he’s in the Top 3, exactly where his legendary career has led him.

No. 2 – José Vitor Leme

Category	Stat
Hometown	Ribas do Rio Pardo, MS · BRA
Premier Series Outs	582
Qualified Rides	361
90-Point Rides	99
Ride Percentage	62.03 %
Average Ride Score	88.109
High Score	98.75 (Las Vegas, NV – 11/7/2021)
Event Wins	29
Round Wins	91
Short Go Outs	85
Short Go Rides	53
Short Go 90-Point Rides	34
Short Go Ride Percentage	62.35 %
Short Go Average Score	90.618
Short Go High Score	98.75
Short Go Round Wins	28
Career Earnings	$8,313,782.18
All-Time Money Rank	No. 1
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 2
PBR Rookie of the Year	2017

Simply put, Jose Vitor Leme is a record breaker. Since he burst onto the scene in 2017, landing in Las Vegas, stepping on U.S. soil for the first time, and qualifying for his first-ever PBR World Finals through the Velocity Tour, he would ride everything they ran underneath him and have a perfect performance to win his first-ever PBR World Finals event title. He was so dominant during this performance that it also earned him Rookie of the Year that very same year.

In 2020 and 2021, he became only the second man in PBR history to win back-to-back World Championships. And in 2021 and 2025, he also became the second man ever in PBR history to win three PBR World Finals event titles – following in the footsteps of legendary rider Robson Palermo, who won the PBR World Finals event title in 2008, 2011, and 2012.

Jose Vitor Leme has also surpassed the legendary J.B. Maune and is now the number-one money earner of all time, with more than $8 million in career earnings. He currently sits No. 2 behind Chris Shivers on the all-time 90-point ride list at the premier series level with 87. If he stays healthy, it won’t be long before he passes Shivers’ record.

In fact, the only record that might take him the longest is the one set by Guilherme Marchi, who is No. 1 all-time in qualified rides on the premier series level with 635. That incredible stat may remain untouched. If if anyone can get there, it’s Leme.

So you might be asking – if this guy really is that good, why is he not at number one?

Well, stay tuned to find out exactly why. Jose Vitor Leme will continue to set records and break them for as long as his body will allow him to do so. And there’s no doubt in my mind that he could one day become the greatest bull rider of the modern era – if he’s not already pretty close.

Only time will tell.

No. 1 – J.B. Mauney

Category	Stat
Hometown	Statesville, NC · USA
Premier Series Outs	1,086
Qualified Rides	538
90-Point Rides	75
Ride Percentage	49.54 %
Average Ride Score	86.876
High Score	95.25 (Tulsa, OK – 8/17/2013)
Event Wins	32
Round Wins	128
Short Go Outs	175
Short Go Rides	70
Short Go 90-Point Rides	38
Short Go Ride Percentage	40.00 %
Short Go Average Score	89.811
Short Go High Score	94.25
Short Go Round Wins	38
Career Earnings	$7,419,474.90
All-Time Money Rank	No. 2
Premier Series 90-Point Ride Rank	No. 3
PBR Rookie of the Year	2006

The top rider on our list is bad to the bone – and not just because George Thorogood’s classic was the music booming through the arena every time he climbed over into the bucking chutessending the crowd into a frenzy.

It’s because JB Mauney approached the game the way that I believe every bull rider should – past, present, or future. He understood to be the best bull rider in the world, you have to simply ride the best bulls in the world.

JB won Rookie of the Year in 2006 and would ride whatever they ran underneath him until the draft was implemented in 2012, which then allowed him to really shine. And the brighter the lights, the brighter he shined. If there were one he could draft that no one thought could be ridden, that would’ve been his first pick – just to prove ‘em wrong.

And prove them wrong, he did.

JB has two World Finals event titles to his name (2009 and 2013), and two PBR World Championships (2013 and 2015). He approached the sport the right way – the old school way. If he showed up, no matter how injured he was – he showed up to win. And more often than not, he did.

He ranks second all-time in qualified rides on the premier series with 538, third all time in 90-point rides with 75, and second on the all-time money list with over $7 million.

Sadly, JB’s career was cut short due to a broken neck sustained during a PRCA event. But if there were any way to get medically cleared and get back on, he would.

These days, JB still has his hand in the sport. He owns his own arena – called Bucktown – and now serves as head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters in the PBR Teams league, continuing to pass his knowledge on to this generation and future generations to come.

Sure, other riders on this list may have more world titles or have earned more money.

But this isn’t just about titles or dollar signs. It’s about impact.

JB Mauney is more than just a champion; he’s a cultural icon. You can ask just about anyone if they know who JB is. They may not know a thing about bull riding, but they’ll ask, “Isn’t he a bull rider?”

JB grew up looking up to Lane Frost – another icon of Western sports and American culture. And now, JB has become what Lane once was to him. That kind of impact lasts forever, whether you’re still putting your hand in the bull rope or not.

Because in my view, JB did it the way you’re supposed to. And for that, and many more reasons, he’s the greatest of all time in PBR history 

The opinions expressed in this article represent those of the author. James Phillips is COO & Co-Founder, Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation, which is working to make the outdoors more accessible for all. To learn how to support that mission, visit www.moafoundation.org.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media