PRORODEO Sports News, April 4, 2025

RYDER WRIGHT SECURES FIRST RODEOHOUSTON WIN IN TIEBREAKER BY ZACH ALVIRA

T hings don’t always go as planned. Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright knows that all too well after the championship round at RodeoHous ton Sunday, March 23. Ryder’s final ride scored an 88. Kolby Wanchuk scored the same on Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin’, the 2024 PRCA Horse of the Year. It sent the two cowboys into a ride off for the title. Ryder drew Cervi Brothers’ Mortician and scored an 87. Wanchuk, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Forked Up, finished with an 81.5. “I feel pumped,” Ryder said. “(I’ve) been down here in Texas for two months, so we’re headed home right here after this. It’s a good chunk of money to head home with.” The win was

Ryder started RodeoHouston strong. He scored an 84.5 in the first round of Super Series Five on Bailey Pro Rodeo's Firehouse, earning $3,000 in the process. He drew Calgary Stam pede’s Burban in Round 2, scoring 83.5 points and earning another $3,000. With a spot already secured to move on to the semifinals, his final ride of the Super Series rounds earned him $750 and 78.5 points.

Ryder picked up where he left off in the semifinals, scoring an 85 and earning $1,000. He secured his spot in the Championship Shootout with an 87.5-point ride on Cervi Champi onship Rodeo’s Womanizer. He followed it up with the two high-scoring rides to win the title. Ryder and Mortician are no strang ers to one another. The two paired in

the first for the 27-year

old Beaver, Utah, native at Rodeo Houston. And

it came in dramatic fashion.

Ryder Wright secured the RodeoHouston saddle bronc title in ride-off fashion. PRCA photo by Mallory Beinborn

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