ProRodeo Sports News - February 8, 2019

Say Uncle 2014 World Champion Spencer Wright wins saddle bronc crown BY MATT NABER F or years the Wright family has been synonymous with saddle bronc riding, and the tradition continued during the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. Five Wrights won money for saddle bronc riding and the youngest of the bunch, StetsonWright, picked up some cash for bull riding. But it was Spencer Wright who led the bunch after winning the saddle bronc riding with 254 points on three head. happy to be in the winners’ circle.” Spencer has competed at Denver every year since his permit in 2011 but only won money twice before. The last time he picked up a check in Denver was in 2013 when he won $4,257 for winning the first round with an 83-point ride on Burns Rodeo Company’s Bill Pickett and tied for eighth in the second round. He won $909 as a rookie in 2012 by tying for fourth in Round 2 with 81 points. “It’s definitely a good start for the year, my wife will be happy and I’m having a baby in April, so it’ll help,” Spencer said. “It’s going to help my confidence, and I hope it takes off and I keep on winning.”

Collectively, the Wrights won $17,621 in Denver with Spencer taking home $8,178. Rusty was close behind with $6,289, followed by Ryder ($1,134), Stetson ($886), Alex ($756) and Jesse ($378). Spencer placed sixth in the first two rounds with 81.5 points and 84.5 points, respectively. Going into the final round, the saddle bronc riding competition was tight enough that it was nearly anyone’s game. “Shoot, I just drew the right

Spencer was 17th in the 2018 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $73,767 – $2,374 shy of qualifying for his thirdWrangler National Finals Rodeo. Spencer didn’t celebrate for long as he hit the road for Rapid City, S.D., Fort Worth, Texas, and San Antonio. “We get a little time off, but it never really stops,” Spencer laughed.

horse and rode to the best of my ability, and it worked out this year,” Spencer said. Spencer’s 88-point ride on New West Rodeo Production’s Pikuni Cougar for second place in the final round gave the 28-year-old Utah cowboy the win in the average by two points ahead of his 23-year-old nephew, Rusty. Spencer’s 31-year-old brother, Alex, placed seventh in the average with 242 points. “I wasn’t trying to beat him, and I might have ended up more in the average, but I couldn’t be happier for both of us,” Spencer said. “We came here trying to win it, and it worked out good for both of us.” As the 2014World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, Spencer is no stranger to success. Although his rodeo résumé includes winning some of the toughest competitions, the Denver buckle had alluded him after seven years of competition. Spencer was focused on the positives, joining his brother Cody in the ranks of Denver champions. Cody won the Denver average in 2013. “It seems like I do better here every year,” Spencer said. “It’s a great rodeo to start the year with, so I’m

For the first time in his ProRodeo career, Spencer Wright, the 2014 World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, won the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver by two points over his nephew, Rusty. Greg Westfall photo

Complete results on Page 41

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Spencer Wright ........ 254 pts. on three 2. Rusty Wright ................................. 252 3. Wyatt Casper ................................. 249 4. Two tied with ................................. 247

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cooper Martin ........ 26.2 sec. on three 2. Caddo Lewallen ............................ 27.6 3. (tie) Brody Stallard ....................... 27.9 Tanner Green ................................ 27.9

BARREL RACING 1. Jennifer Sharp ...... 45.89 sec. on three 2. Taylor Langdon ........................... 45.94 3. Lisa Lockhart .............................. 46.21 4. Shali Lord ................................... 46.26

BULL RIDING 1. Brody Yeary ........... 248.5 pts. on three 2. Trey Kimzey ................................... 219 3. Ty Wallace ...................... 166.5 on two 4. Nathan Hatchel .............................. 163

ProRodeo Sports News 2/8/2019

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