15-year-old Maclain Vandeford will travel internationally, including a trip to Australia for the Youth Bull Riders World Finals
Contributed photos of 15-year-old Maclain Vandeford, of Monroe, a local teen bull rider who has been selected for Team USA 2026 – bottom right with his father, Jake, and stepmother, Kelli Vandeford.
When then 13-year-old Maclain Vandeford, of Monroe, told his dad he wanted to try bull riding, it’s unlikely his father imagined that just two years later the teen would be traveling the world as a member of Team USA.
Now 15, Maclain has earned a spot on the national youth bull riding team and will travel to Australia this summer for the Youth Bull Riders World Finals. According to his stepmother, Kelli Vandeford, his participation on Team USA this year will also take him to Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Maclain is the first in his family to show an interest in the sport.
“His father, Jake, has always has love for animals but never did bull riding as a profession. Maclain came to his dad one day and asked if he could give it a try at the age of 13,” Vandeford said. Maclain, the middle child among five siblings, attends Acellus Academy, an online K–12 school. His family supports his rodeo ambitions and attends events whenever possible.
“They travel when able – more to the local events and practice. We have a friend that keeps his bulls. We travel to Elberton and Auburn and Madison for practice – every Sunday or Saturday weather permitting,” Vandeford said.
Maclain said he is fully committed to growing in the sport.
“I have been riding for two years and am fully committed to continuing and growing in this sport. Over the past two years, I have traveled across the country—from Georgia to Utah—competing in rodeos and working hard to build a future for myself in bull riding,” he said. “This year, I earned a spot on the 2026 USA Team, which has been a huge milestone in my rodeo career.”
Maclain also shared a few personal details about himself.
“I’m from Georgia, chasing big dreams in and out of the arena. I’ve got a bloodhound named Maggy who keeps life interesting. I spend my time working cattle, riding horses, hunting, fishing, and doing what I love most — rodeo.
“I work for my dad at Taut Line Tree Service, where hard work isn’t optional, it’s expected. He pushes me every day to be better than I was yesterday, and my family will always be my biggest supporters,” he said. “I also have registered bulls with the ABBI and am building my future in and out of the sport. Hard work, faith, family, and rodeo — that’s what I’m about.”
Maclain recently earned his learner’s permit and said he is working on his truck and gaining more independence. However, the travel required for national and international competitions can be expensive.
“As I continue to progress, I am seeking sponsorships to help cover competition fees, travel expenses, and essential gear. In return, sponsors will receive their name or business logo displayed on my long-sleeve button-up shirt and a patch on my bull riding vest. Sponsors will also be mentioned and tagged in my posts on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook,” Maclain said
He has compete across multiple states including Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah and has been part of several series and events, including:
• Georgia Winter Series – Elberton Rockin Eight
• Dunton Arena Summer Series
• Georgia High School Rodeo Association
• KR Bucking Bulls (with Abbi)
• ABA 2024–2025 (Covington, GA)
• Shady Dale Rodeo
• Little Britches Rodeo
• latigo farms rodeo
• Pickens Rodeo
• Cohen Ranch
• YBR (Texas)
• IMBA (Utah)
• Mesquite ranch Mexican rodeo
• And many more small rodeos
If anybody is interested in supporting this young bull rider from Monroe, Ga., they can get to see him in action at the Dutton Livestock Rodeo in Madison, Ga. on March 28.
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