2025 Year-End Edition

STATLER WRIGHT WINS FIRST WORLD, AVERAGE CHAMPIONSHIP AT NFR By Zach Alvira

S tatler Wright entered the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ninth in the world in saddle bronc riding, chasing older brother Ryder Wright in first. Stetson Wright was just behind at 12th. But the Wright brothers took over

dreds of dollars. He jumped Ryder in the standings to win by $346. Statler finished the season with $455,940 and Ryder was second with $455,594. It’s one of the

and dominated. They finished 1, 2, 3 in Round 9, the third time in family history the Wrights accom plished such a feat. It was the first time these three in particular accomplished it. Stetson and Ryder shared the gary Stampede’s Dandy Delight, respectively. Stat ler finished sixth in the round with an 87.5-point ride on Cervi Cham pionship Rodeo’s R. Watsons Ed Bishop. But it was the final results that Round 10 win with a pair of 89.75-point rides on J Bar J’s Shady Jacket and Cal mattered the most. Statler, the youngest of the bunch at 22, moved all the way from No. 9 to No. 1 in the world,

closest margins of victory ever in PRORODEO, and it came against his brother. “It’s a credit to my dad (ProRo deo Hall of Famer Cody Wright). He taught us how to do it, showed us the way to ride broncs,” Statler said. “It shows he knows what he’s doing because it’s working out. One, two, three in the world. “I’ve always dreamt of walk ing up on that stage and getting the gold buckle and stepping on the back of the bucking chutes. Just being at Thomas & Mack with my brothers is a dream come true.” The Wright family now has 18 PRCA World Championships. Stetson has 10

Statler Wright during his victory lap in Round 10. (PRCA photo by Click Thompson)

claiming his first PRCA World Championship and NFR average title. Ryder finished second and Stetson third. “I’ve only been riding bucking horses for five years,” Statler said. “And to be able to walk out on that stage this year and for them to say I was a world champion, it means the world. I’m just super blessed to be here. It’s hard to put into words how happy I am right now.” Statler’s first world championship came by mere hun

world championships - six in all-around (2019-2023, 2025;) three in bull riding (2020, 2022, 2025); and one in saddle bronc riding (2021). Ryder has three saddle bronc riding world champion ships (2017, 2020, 2024), Cody Wright has two saddle bronc riding world titles (2008, 2010); Jesse has one saddle bronc riding (2012); Spencer Wright has a saddle bronc title (2014) and Statler earned his in 2025.

21

JANUARY 2026