ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2023

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Cody Wright Two-time world champ Wright enters Hall BY TRACY RENCK T he Wright family has been the gold standard for PRCA saddle bronc riding for years. That excellence guides Cody Wright, a two-time PRCA World Champion in 2008 and 2010, into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Wright comes from the storied Wright family of saddle bronc riders as his brothers Jesse (2012) and Spencer (2014) also won PRCA World Championships, as have his sons, Ryder (2017 and 2020) and Stetson (2021). Stetson has won a total of seven world championships – four in all-around (2019-22), two in bull riding (2020 and 2022) and one in saddle bronc riding in 2021.

said. “I would say the whole package. I would definitely say winning my first and second world championships were memorable and winning the second one made the first one that much sweeter to me. Probably more so than me winning world titles was to watch my boys win. “I would love to see my boys keep winning (gold buckles). I don’t know if I taught them everything they know. I think between my brothers and boys that I could start my rodeo career over. I sure know a lot more now than I did before.” Cody qualified for the NFR 13 times from 2003-14, and 2016. In 2008, Cody edged out legendary cowboy and fellow ProRodeo Hall of Famer Billy Etbauer for the world championship. He placed in six rounds and won Rounds 4, 7 and 9. Two years later in 2010, Wright muscled past Wade Sundell for the world title. Wright won the NFR average with 847 points on 10 head. He placed in eight rounds and won Round 2, Round 3, and Round 6. “I love riding broncs,” Wright told the PRCA after his last title. “It’s my life, but my kids and my wife are way more important than bronc riding. As long as they are healthy and doing well, I’m happy. Winning a world title is great but my family is the greatest.”

“Really?” said Cody, when told of his induction. “You didn’t give me much time to come up with any type of emotions, but it is definitely a great honor to be put in there just because of the people who are in there. It’s such a great honor. I really don’t even know what to say.” In the moment, Wright pointed to 2008 and 2010 as years he personally remembers most. “I don’t know what made them decide to put me in there,” Wright

ProRodeo Sports News 6/23/2023

ProRodeo.com

35