ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO

Wright takes Trophy Rack to trophy room

He might have three world titles, but 21-year-old StetsonWright is still learning. Wright nearly made a costly mistake in the bull riding in San Antonio in the finals. But he realized it before he went to the ground, fixed the near-error and took home his first San Antonio buckle. With less than two seconds remaining until the whistle, Wright appeared to be falling off Frontier Rodeo’s Trophy Rack. Somehow, he adjusted himself before gravity could drag him to the dirt. “I almost messed up big time,” Wright said. “He was going left and I was getting to where I was counting money before I got to the bank. I got down in the well and was like, you’re either going to get bucked off or kick loose with everything and get back to the middle.” Wright got back to the middle and earned $9,000 for first to win the rodeo with $15,800, more money than any other winner. Before San Antonio, Wright was seventh in the world standings. His San Antonio winnings more than doubled his season’s earnings and put him in first in the standings. Getting a jump this early is new for Wright. “Having a good winter is something that I really haven’t done in the past two years,” he said. “…This is the exact way I wanted to start my year.

Kay Miller photo Bull rider Stetson Wright advanced to the finals through the wild-card round and then won the rodeo with his 93-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Trophy Rack in the finals.

standings but left on top with $36,091. Wright had to go through the wild-card round to reach the finals. “I wish I’d gone to the semifinals and done my job,” Wright said. “But I tend to do that thing where I make it really tough on my mind and my stomach to go through the hard stuff to get to the top. It’s stressful but, when it works like this, it’s cool.” Adam Gray tops field in tie-down roping AdamGray has had plenty of success in his PRCA career. The veteran cowboy has qualified for six NFRs (2009, 2011-12, 2014, 2019-20). The Texas cowboy can check another box off his rodeo list – winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo with a 7.5-second run in the finals. Gray earned $13,700 in San Antonio, $9,000 for his final run. “Winning is always nice, and winning here in San Antonio is even better,” said Gray, 37. “I’ve been here 13 or 14 times, and I’ve won third twice and made the short round like nine times. So to finally get the win here at one of the biggest indoor (rodeos) is sure a relief to knock off my bucket list. “I had a really good calf (in the finals). I got a great start. I didn’t rope him real sharp, but they won’t write that on the paycheck. I just had to go down there and tie him up at that point.” The financial jolt from San Antonio isn’t lost on Gray. “This means a lot,” Gray said. “I don’t like to be up and down the road and be gone all year long. So I need some big wins, so I don’t have to be gone as long. I’m getting older, I’m getting married in April and I have a full-time job. I’d like to be more efficient and win good, big rodeos. Hopefully, this will jump me up in the standings and give me a chance to get another NFR made.” Gray moved up to fifth in the world standings with $14,605.

I ride better when I get into the summertime and we’re riding more bulls and more horses every day. Starting like this, hopefully I can roll on through and keep everything going.” Wright also finished fourth in the saddle bronc riding to earn another $10,000. He went into San Antonio in second place in the all-around world

Kay Miller photo Veteran tie-down roper Adam Gray acknowledges the crowd at Freeman Coliseum after winning in San Antonio for the first time in his career. Gray won the finals with a 7.5-second run.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

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