2020 Wrangler NFR Final Wrap-Up

2020 WORLD CHAMPIONS

Stetson Wright earns two world titles at the Wrangler NFR

A night after winning the coveted all-around world champi- onship, Stetson Wright returned to make his 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo one for the ages. It ended in fitting fashion as Wright split fourth with an 89-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Angel’s Landing to win the bull riding world championship at Globe Life Field, Dec. 12. “I was in the race for the all-around and to come out on top I was at a loss for words, I was star struck to beat guys I look up to,” said Wright, who locked up the all-around crown Dec. 11. “Winning the all-around world title meant so much to me, but to win it again feels better for the simple fact that people might say I was lucky my first time. I feel like after the second one, maybe they’ll still think I’m lucky, but everyone has their own opinion, and it doesn’t change the fact that I got what I wanted, so I’m just happy to be here.” During Round 10 the Mil- ford, Utah, cowboy had a 91-point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s All or

PRCA ProRodeo by Alaina Stangle Stetson Wright, right, won his first gold buckle in bull riding and second-consecutive all-around world title at the 2020 Wrangler NFR. Also at the Finals, his brother Ryder Wright, left, earned his second world champi- onship in saddle bronc riding.

four in the last round and it was crazy to come out on top. This is what I live for, the stories when it comes down to the last ride.” Also in the family, Ryder captured his second world championship in saddle bronc riding. He split the Round 10 win with a 91-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Big Texas to catapult to the world and average championships at the 2020 Wrangler NFR. Ryder also won a world title in 2017. “(This feels) twice as good,” he said. “That horse has been around forever. I remember my dad (Cody) got on that horse when I was little. I think he’s like 20 years old. Super happy to have him.” Ryder finished with five go-round wins – Rounds 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. He tied the PRCA record for most saddle bronc riding wins at the NFR for the second time in his career, doing it first in 2016. He shares the record with Billy Etbauer (1992, 1999 and 2005) and Dan Mortensen (1998). Ryder also established a saddle bronc riding average record at the NFR with 876.5 points on 10 head. “I’ve had an awesome week,” he said. “Couldn’t have drawn any better than I did. That’s a huge part in winning world titles, drawing good horses. I was lucky enough to capitalize on them. I was feeling pretty good today. I was confident and just let it play out, and it worked out in my favor.” – PRCA Staff

Nothin to split the go-round win in the saddle bronc riding with his brother Ryder Wright. Stetson finished seventh in the saddle bronc riding world standings with $151,101. Stetson has won back-to-back all-around world championships – the first to do so since Trevor Brazile in 2014 and 2015. At 21, Stetson is the youngest cowboy to be crowned all-around world champion in his first two seasons. This year he became the first cowboy to win the all-around gold buckle and a roughstock world championship in the same year since Ty Murray in 1998. Murray won the all-around and bull riding titles that year. “That’s what I always wanted growing up, to be one of the best cowboys to ever live,” he said. “That means a lot to hear people talk that highly about me makes me feel lucky and happy to be where I’m at.” In the bull riding, Stetson edged Ty Wallace for the world crown. He finished with $267,941 (including ground money) edging Ty Wallace, who came in with $256,599. Wallace split fourth with Stetson in Round 10. Stetson placed second in the average with 539 points on six head. Wallace was third in the average with 533.5 points on six. Colten Fritzlan won the average with 605 points on seven. “It was crazy. Ty Wallace, Colten Fritzlan and Ky Hamilton all rode phenomenally,” Stetson said. “Every guy did this week, but it came down to us

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

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