PRORODEO Sports News - February 7, 2025

DENVER NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW AND RODEO DENVER DOMINANCE SCHALLA CAPS NATIONAL WESTERN WITH BULL RIDING TITLE By Alex Dodd

W

acey Schalla jump started his 2025 campaign during the National West

the second round. His 167.5 points on two head in the seventh bracket earned him a spot in the semifinals. In the semifinals, Schalla was bucked off. But a lack of qualified riders gave him another shot in the 12-man final via the tiebreaker. When Schalla saw the draw for the short round featured Vitalix Anthrax, he made it clear to everyone who’d listen that he wanted to battle with the NFR bucking bull. “I kind of spoke that (draw) into existence,” Schalla said. “I’m pretty good friends with (flankman) Shad (Smith), and I told him, ‘Man, I would like to draw that one because I’ve been looking at him.’ I was pretty excited to see him next to my name.” After Schalla’s ride, Stetson Wright climbed into the chutes, looking to end his comeback bid at the National Western with a buckle. Wright missed over 13 months due to a hamstring injury sustained in 2023 and subsequent surgery. He didn’t have a spot on the daysheet when he traveled to Denver but was able to enter the saddle bronc riding and bull riding due to turnouts. Like Schalla, Wright dominated his bracket with 163 points on two head.

Then he won the second semifinal with an 88.5-point trip on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Peacemaker to reach the finals. On the final ride of the National Western, Wright went for an 88-point trip and received the option for a re-ride. The eight-time PRCA World Champion considered accepting and shooting for the top spot, but the check from a second-place finish in his first PRORODEO action since the injury proved too much to risk. “Shoot, I expected him to take it,” Schalla said. “But I guess Stetson was just being a good friend and let me win one.”

ern Stock Show and Rodeo from Jan. 16-26 in Denver. The 19-year-old all around cowboy competed in bare back and bull riding at the Denver Coliseum, picking up checks in both. But Schalla’s effort on the back of bulls is where he dominated. After a sensational effort in his bracket and earning a spot in the finals, Schalla capped the week with a 90-point ride on Cervi Champion ship Rodeo’s Vitalix Anthrax to earn the top spot with the event’s highest score. “The good thing about Denver is that it starts off the winter run,” Schalla told the ProRodeo Sports News. “To be able to get it started off with a win before I head to Rapid City Xtreme Bulls, Fort Worth and Houston is awesome.” Schalla showed he meant business in the bull riding from his opening trip. He won his go with an 83.5-point ride on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Dreams. He hung on for an 84-point trip on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Who’s Aboard in

WACEY SCHALLA

4 ProRodeo Sports News