ProRodeo Sports News July 9, 2021

WORLD’S OLDEST RODEO PRESCOTT, ARIZ.

Ryder Wright goes to pay window again on Vold Rodeo’s Sun Glow with victory Winning Pair BY JOLEE JORDAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he first time Ryder Wright matched up with Vold Rodeo’s Sun Glow, the bay mare dumped the reigning PRCAWorld Champion Saddle Bronc Rider in the dirt. But Wright has drawn her four times since that fateful matchup in Round 7 of the TOP MONEY WINNER All-around TOP SCORES Wright

cowboy Stetson Wright ($8,410, bull riding, saddle bronc riding) BAREBACK RIDING

2018Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and every time has produced a money winning out. Wright’s most recent conquest of Sun Glow came at the 2021World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., a ProRodeo Tour stop during the lucrative Fourth of July run. Competing on the opening day of the rodeo on June 28, Wright lit up the leaderboard with an 89-point ride, a mark that no one was able to beat for seven more performances. “That horse is awesome. The first time I got on her, she bucked me off,” Wright said. “But every time since then, I think the lowest I’ve been is 88 points.” It was another textbook trip from both professionals, equine, and human, in Arizona, a win that netted $6,345, part of a $10,306 Fourth of July for Wright. “She jumped out there and bucked like she always does,” saidWright, 23. “I knew if I did my part, it would end well.” “I was super pumped to have that horse there,” Wright said, adding that he’d never won much at Prescott in years past. Prior to the meeting in Arizona, Wright last matched moves with Sun Glow was in Round 4 during the 2020Wrangler NFR when he had an 89.5-point winning ride at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, all part of a magical $247,135 rodeo that landedWright his second PRCAWorld title in four years. “It’s definitely the goal, the end goal,” Wright said of winning championships. “Making the best ride I can on every horse I have is the short-term goal. If you do that, you hope it ends with the gold buckle.” So far in 2021, Wright has been meeting all goals, long- and short-term. After a big win at The American in March in Arlington, it put him to the top of the RAM | PRCAWorld standings. Wright has kept his foot on the gas and the only bronc rider within $50,000 of his lead is little brother – and reigning PRCA All-Around and Bull Riding World Champion – Stetson. “It’s nice to have someone pushing you to be better. I guess it lights a fire under me,” Ryder said of the sibling rivalry. The Wrights often travel with oldest brother Rusty as well as their uncle Spencer, the 2014 PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion, part of arguably the most famous family in rodeo today. “We split it up pretty evenly,” Ryder noted wryly when asked who gets stuck driving. “Stetson drives at night, and I do more during the day. I’m not a good night driver.” The rig was busy over the Fourth, hitting half a dozen rodeos; the run ended in Oakley, Utah so the crew got to spend a few days at home in Milford, Utah, before heading out again. That gave Wright the chance to hang with his daughter Bexley, who’ll celebrate her fourth birthday on July 16. “She’s fun,” Wright said. “She’s busy,” he added with a chuckle. She’s got a couple of ponies and she loves to ride horses.” Wright was enjoying the fun chaos before the rodeo schedule cranks up even more as summer progresses. “We’re actually busier at the end of July, first part of August (than over the Fourth).” Lots of miles on the road along with tackling the rankest horses in ProRodeo eight seconds at a time can wear on a rider’s body. Many guys on the road have tricks and tips to staying healthy but Wright has a little different plan. “I might try to do a little workout here and there . . . it’s not my favorite thing to do,” Wright laughed. “I’m taking advantage of being young.”

1. Caleb Bennett ......................... 90 pts. 2. Garrett Shadbolt ........................ 88.5 3. Tim O’Connell ............................... 87 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dirk Tavenner ................ 9.1 sec. on 2 2. Nick Guy .................................... 10.0 3. Blake Mindemann ...................... 10.5 TEAM ROPING 1. Begay/Petska .............. 12.5 sec. on 2 (Tie) Summers/Ashford ............. 12.5 3. J. Dees/M. Sherwood ................. 12.7 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright .......................... 89 pts. 2. Hardy Braden ................................ 87 3. Two tied at ................................. 85.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shane Hanchey ........... 18.4 sec. on 2 2. Haven Meged ............................. 18.6 (Tie) Ryle Smith ......................... 18.6 STEER ROPING 1. Taylor Santos .............. 36.0 sec. on 3 2. Rocky Patterson ......................... 36.8 3. Cody Lee .................................... 39.1 BULL RIDING 1. Shawn Bennett Jr. ............... 88.5 pts. 2. Stetson Wright .............................. 85 3. Quentin Vaught .......................... 84.5

Complete results/Page 79

ProRodeo Sports News 7/9/2021

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