Mario Ciucci was born in Sacramento, California on October 23, 1942. He grew up in the country. At 11 years old he started working on a 1000 acre cattle ranch in Thornton, California.
In 1961-1969 Mario joined the California cowboys Association and began his passion to ride bareback horses. He participated in the Jim shoulders bareback riding school in 1962.
In 1969-1975 Mario joined the RCA (Rodeo Cowboys Association-now known as the PRCA.) rodeos, while managing a 2500 head cattle ranch in Clements, California.
The ranch made him an offer, he put rodeo on hold for the next 16 years to ranch full time.