Nancy Chapman
With grit, determination, and a few broken bones along the way, T.J. Gray rode his way into the record books at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo, which took place in Las Vegas from Dec. 4 to Dec. 13, 2025. Gray, who entered the competition ranked fifth in the world, climbed to second overall by the final round on Dec. 13, securing the coveted bull riding average title and shattering earnings records with standout performances throughout the event.
Gray’s run to the top was nothing short of remarkable. The Oregon native delivered clutch rides in three key rounds, posting a 90.5 on McCoy Rodeo’s Blue Duck in Round 7, a 90.75 on Rafter G Rodeo’s Doze You Down in Round 8, and clinching Round 10 with an 88.5 on Mr. Priefert, owned by Rosser Rodeo Co. Not only did he win the final round, but he also tied for first and second place that evening, cementing his place as a force in professional bull riding.
Since his second-place world finish at the NFR, Gray, 24, and his fiancée, Kalona Marr, have put down roots in Fallon, Nevada, is Gray’s strongest supporter. Her family has also joined the ranks of Gray’s growing fan base, cheering him on as he calls Fallon home.
Gray’s journey from the small, unincorporated community of Dairy, Ore., to NFR stardom was paved with dedication and adversity. “From the time I got on my first calf, I knew this was my sport,” Gray recalled. Starting at age 5 in junior rodeos, he gravitated toward bulls, inspired partly by his older brother, Levi, who rode bucking horses. “I would see him and his friends get bucked off, and it looked like it really hurt, and I did not like horses all that well, so I stayed with the bulls,” Gray said with a grin.
He rode his first bull at 13 and, by 2019, purchased his PRCA card, just as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered events and limited opportunities for up-and-comers. Injuries followed, including a 10-month setback from torn abdominal muscles in 2020, a broken collarbone in 2021 and a shattered foot in 2023. Despite these blows, Gray persevered, missing multiple NFR appearances but never losing sight of his goal.
2024 proved to be a turning point. Gray ended the regular season atop the PRCA bull riding standings, but under the NFR’s intense pressure he dropped to fifth place. Instead of folding, he doubled down on training and returned to Las Vegas in 2025, this time ready to make history.
Gray’s resilience was on full display this year as he battled through a lingering injury that will require corrective surgery in early 2026. The operation means a late start to next season, he will have just 68 rodeos to qualify for the NFR, compared to his usual 105. Still, the Fallon community is already rallying behind him as he sets his sights on a return to the big stage for the 2026 NFR.
No matter what the next season brings, one thing is certain: T.J. Gray’s story is just getting started, and Fallon will be cheering every step of the way. Photo below: T.J. Gray with fiancee Kalona Marr. Photo courtesy of T.J. Gray.
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