PRORODEO Sports News | January 24, 2025

SHORT ROUND

Eight-time world champ Stetson Wright returns after injury It’s Official

A fter missing in action for more than 13 months, Stetson Wright left no doubt that he’s back during his return at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo on Jan. 17 in Denver. Wright arrived at the Denver Coliseum without a spot on the daysheet, hoping to fill the place of a turnout. Everything went according to plan and Wright made the most of his first appearance at a PRORODEO event since receiving a doctor’s release in December of 2023 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Wright paired with The Cervi Brothers’ Heyoka for an 89-point ride, the highest scored trip of the round. “My feelings are kind of going everybody in my family in the short period since I got off. I keep telling them that every ride feels like I won the world.” Wright suffered a hamstring injury late everywhere,” Wright said after the performance. “I’ve talked to almost

many cowboys and cowgirls who can take 14 months off and be completely fine with it. “I wasn’t worried about much more than making sure I was healthy again. So, that’s how I went about this, and it’s made me more mentally sharp than ever. I feel as good as I ever have, and I’m just ready to go.” Wright holds eight PRCA World Championships with five all-around titles from 2019-23, two bull riding championships in 2020 and 2022 and one saddle bronc gold buckle in 2021. But despite his success, the 25-year-old from Beaver, Utah, had difficulty entering winter rodeos because of his year-long hiatus. “I wasn’t even meant to be in Denver,” Wright said. “I walked up and ended up drawing one of the best bulls here. I knew that if I was going to have a chance to ride him because he’s pretty gassy, I needed to be as healthy as I’ve ever been.”

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Stetson Wright poses with his 2022 Wrangler NFR haul, buckles for All-Around Cowboy and Bull Riding Champion.

in the 2023 season and was released from the 2023 NFR after Round 2. Shortly thereafter, he underwent surgery to repair the injury, and his recovery took longer than initially expected. “The past 13 or 14 months have been a roller coaster of emotions,” Wright said ahead of the opening round of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. “I’m sad that I haven’t been able to ride, but there was a lot for me to be grateful for. There aren’t

The following night, Wright also received a spot in the daysheet in the saddle bronc riding. He earned a 73-point ride in the first round and a 77.5-point trip in the second round. “The only question I’ve seen lately is, is he going to ride bulls and saddle broncs? And I will be back in both,” Wright said.“But I’m still after the triple crown. That’s the number one thing on my mind. I’m 100% back. I’m healthy and there are no excuses now.”

Bull rider Vocu on mend after injury at NWSSR in Denver

Bull rider Bo Vocu is on the mend after being carried off the arena floor at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo on Jan. 18 in Denver. Vocu suffered a concussion during the performance and was transferred to an area hospital. He was discharged later that night and is hoping to return to competition shortly. “I’m doing all right, and I just got a concussion, thank goodness,” Vocu said on Jan. 20. “I got out of the hospital the same night that it happened. I spent all day yesterday just resting, and I’m heading home now. So, I’m still relaxing and trying to keep from

doing too much and let my brain heal.” Vocu is slated to compete at the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo but said he’s prioritizing his recovery and will make sure he’s at 100 percent before he gets back on another bull. “There’s never a good time to get hurt, but this time of the year is definitely a little better,” Vocu said. “There’s not a whole lot going on. In a week and a half, I have Fort Worth, and I’m going to wait and see how I feel to decide whether or not I’m going to go. “I had a lot of prayers and family members call me. I’m glad that it worked out as well as it did.”

ProRodeo Sports News 1/24/2025

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