ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2024

SADDLE BRONC RIDING WORLD CHAMPION

Ryder Wright earned the third gold buckle of his career at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Wright won four rounds on his way to yet another PRCA World Championship. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

Back on Top

“I told my wife last night that I was going to put an exclamation point on this week and go home with the gold buckle. I did just that.” The duo paired for 89.5 points to tie for the round win with Lefty Holman and lock up his third PRCA Saddle Bronc World Championship. “After I got bucked off (in Round 2), they tried to shut the door on me,” Wright said. “I stuck my foot in there, scratching and clawing my way back into this fight. I won my first gold buckle with two no scores, so I’m no stranger to this environment. Yeah, I was just gunning for go-rounds every night and it paid off.” It marked Wright’s third world title and first since 2020. He racked up $479,958 in the process and finished seventh in the NFR Average at 786.5 points on nine head.

His 2024 money total broke the PRCA earnings record in the event, which was set by Zeke Thurston last season. “I try not to sit back and think about it too much (his legacy in the sport),” he said. “I’ve got a long road in front of me to where I want to be in my career. I’ve been here nine times, and I’m still only 26 years old. I have a long career ahead of me, so I’m going to keep trying to climb that ladder with gold buckles.” The third title for Ryder Wright brought the Wright family’s gold buckle total to 15. His brother, Stetson, holds eight titles, and his father, Cody, won two championships. The Wright family legacy isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Ryder Wright captures gold buckle No. 3

BY TANNER BARTH R yder Wright needed a quality out in Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge to break through and win his third PRCA World Championship. Wright did that and more in his final bout of the 2024 PRORODEO season on Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin, the 2024 Pendleton Whisky Let ‘er

Buck Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year. The bucking horse also tied for Saddle Bronc Horse of the NFR with Championship Pro Rodeo’s Tickled Pink. Wright knew the opportunity to lock up the gold buckle was there when he saw that horse next to his name. “I was pumped. I jumped up and down in my hotel room with excitement,” Wright said of the draw.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

48

49