RODEO ROOKIE
Stetson Wright is making the most of his
rookie season
The Farm-City Pro Rodeo
takes pride in bringing in the
best cowboys and livestock.
This year is no different.
Rodeo fans will get a look
at rookie Stetson Wright on
Saturday night in the saddle
bronc and the bull riding.
The Milford, Utah, cowboy
comes from a long line of
world-class saddle bronc rid-
ers, but he’s also making a
name for himself on the bulls.
Through July 18, he leads the
world all-around standings
with $120,853 — $10,000
more than Caleb Smidt.
Trevor Kastner, and is 22nd around title at the St. Paul
Rodeo, pocketing $16,808.
in the saddle bronc.
He was second in the saddle
“I like both (events) equally,” bronc and the bulls.
Wright said. “I was fi ghting
my saddle earlier this year, “That kid is talented,” said
bullfi ghter
Tim
but everything is going well veteran
O’Connell. “He is something
now.”
special in the bulls.”
Wright has earned more than
$115,000 riding bulls this That Wright has been so suc-
season, which has surprised cessful his rookie year is not
a surprise to those who fol-
even him.
low rodeo.
“It has been an awesome ex-
perience,” he said. “There are He won the National High
no words to describe it. It has School Finals Rodeo all-
been a crazy year. I have been around title in 2017, along
with the saddle bronc and
super lucky.”
bull riding titles.
Wright also leads the rookie
saddle bronc standings by Wright also gets a little qual-
more than $20,000, and the ity advice on the home front.
rookie bull riding standings
His dad, Cody Wright, is a
by $43,367.
13-time NFR qualifi er and
Wright recently won the all- two-time saddle bronc world
champion. His older brothers
Rusty and Ryder have made
their mark, as well.
Rusty was the 2014 PRCA
rookie of the year in saddle
bronc, has made three trips
to the NFR, and won the Cal-
gary Stampede saddle bronc
title July 14.
Ryder has made three trips to
the NFR and won the saddle
bronc world title in 2017.
And, uncles Jake, Jesse and
Spencer Wright, and CoBurn
Bradshaw, have a combined
20 trips to the NFR and two
saddle bronc world titles.
“They all have something to
say,” Wright said.
“It’s surprising, Wright said
of leading the all-around
standings. “This is something
I dreamed of forever, but I
didn’t think it would happen
this fast.”
Wright, 19, also sits third
in the bull riding standings
behind Sage Kimzey and
Photo credit: PRCA photo/Kent Soule
12 | Farm-City Pro Rodeo 2019
East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald