ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

BULL RIDING WORLD CHAMPION

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

Stetson Wright had an 88-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Pookie Holler to win Round 2. Wright earned $271,545 in just bull riding at the NFR, counting ground money. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae

Still on Top BY TANNER BARTH S tetsonWright admitted when he was in high school, he thought he would only be a saddle bronc rider in ProRodeo, but his mind quickly changed. By the time he purchased his PRCA card in 2018, Wright had decided he wanted to try his hand in bull riding as well and the ProRodeo world is sure glad he did.

Stetson Wright claims second bull riding crown

when he earned $480,797 in 2019. “This year has been the best and the hardest year that I’ve had in the PRCA, saidWright, 23. “It started off really hot when I moved into the No. 1 spot in the world in bulls and broncs. It didn’t really slow down from that point on. But then I had a few injuries, where I had to have surgery and sit out for a while. “When you’re missing rodeos, you feel like you aren’t doing your best sitting at home. I had to learn a lot of patience. I had to trust everything my mom and dad were saying when I needed to sit out. I think it paid off because this was my best year yet.” Wright entered the NFR with a big lead in the bull riding standings and showed no signs of slowing down. He jumped out of the gate with an 88-point

ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Pookie Holler to win Round 2 and add $49,666 to his name. In total, he won three rounds and placed in five others. “With the confidence that I have, I don’t feel like there’s a bull or horse that should buck me off,” he said. “I know it happened a couple times during the Finals, but I’m just as confident as ever in my riding right now.” And he believes his encore performance in 2023 can be even bigger and better. “I’m always trying to be better than I was and know I have things that I can improve on,” Wright said. “I feel like with what I’ve done this year I can do even better with a healthy year, where I don’t miss anything due to injuries. I’m up for the challenge.”

On Dec. 10, at theThomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas, Wright added another line to his already impressive resume as he clinched his second (2020, 2022) PRCA Bull Riding World Championship. Wright now has seven gold buckles to his name after adding his bull riding and all-around titles this season. In bull riding alone, he amassed $592,144 in earnings, which set the PRCA single season earnings record. Sage Kimzey previously held the record

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

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