2023 PRCA Media Guide - All Chapters

BULL RIDING Stetson Wright

Captures Second Bull Riding Championship

Stetson Wright is known as the top cowboy in rodeo right now. It’s a title he’s earned across the country, delighting fans with his remarkable skill and poise. In the year’s biggest event, the Nationals Finals Rodeo, he delivered his best, adding to his growing legend. Wright won the all-around title for a fourth straight year, fueled by his cold-blooded execution in bull riding where he secured his second gold buckle. Wright figured he would ride horses when his pro career took off in 2018. But his versatility blossoms on the bulls where he completed nearly 60 percent of his rides this season and 80 percent in Las Vegas, earning money on every one, an NFR record. In a career that includes more hardware than Home Depot, Wright achieved a new level of excel lence. “This year has been the best and hardest year that I have had in the PRCA,”said Wright, who last won the bull-riding crown in 2020. “It started off really hot when I moved up to the No. 1 spot

Wright stormed into Las Vegas as the favorite. And it didn’t take long to see why. He posted an 88-point ride in Round 2 on Dakota Rodeo’s Pookie Holler, setting the stage for a breakthtaking run at the Thomas & Mack Center. Wright, 23, scored in eight rides, winning three and placing in five. He scored 92 on Salt River Rodeo’s Belly Dump and a 90 on Bar T Rodeo’s Angels Landing. It was remarkable production when so many others were having trouble making the eight second whistle. Watching his rides, it appeared he was in constant rhythm with the bulls, never showing panic as he ripped off repeated strong scores to win the average and the buckle. “With the confidence that I have, I don’t feel like there’s a bull or horse that should buck me off,”Wright said. “I know it happened a couple of times in the Finals, but I’m just as confident as ever in my riding right now.” – Brady Renck

2022 WORLD CHAMPIONS

in the world in bulls and broncos. It didn’t really slow down from that point. But then I had a few injuries, where I had to have surgery and sit out for a while. When you are missing rodeos, you feel like you aren’t doing your best. I had to learn a lot of patience. I had to trust everything my mom and dad were saying when I needed to sit out. I think it paid off because this was my best year yet.” It was, simply put, anyone’s best year. The money screams as much. Wright, who has won seven gold buckles, collected $592,144 in bull riding earnings, establishing a new single-season record, eclipsing Sage Kimzey’s mark of $480,797 set in 2019.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle

Stetson Wright rode 8 of 10 bulls at the 2022 NFR to win his second career PRCA Bull Riding World Championship.

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2023 PRCA MEDIA GUIDE