ProRodeo Sports News - May 28, 2021

Stetson Wright takes victory, eyes NFR triple crown Gold Medal

BY KEVIN CARMODY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News A fter watching Dawson Hay’s ride in the final round of the Veater Financial Group Battle of the Best Xtreme Broncs, StetsonWright knew not to worry about his own ride. If he could do well, he’d try and surpass Hay, but he wasn’t about to put any unnecessary pressure on himself to try and break 90. Wright’s advice to himself was well-founded. The three-time world champion went out and notched the season’s highest-scored ride to win the Xtreme Broncs event in Coarsegold, Calif. Wright posted a 91.5-point ride aboard Big Bend Rodeo’s Kool Toddy in the four-man finals, beating Hay’s 89.5 on Rosser Rodeo’s Yeti Hopper to win the event. “I have a routine before I go, when I get behind the chutes, not to get too serious,” Wright said. “I like to watch the other riders. I saw Dawson go 89.5, and honestly, I just told my brothers (Rusty and Ryder) and (uncle) Spencer that I wanted to make the best ride I could. I can’t control anything other than that.” For Stetson, scoring a 90-plus-point ride on a rank horse has more meaning than what he would earn for that ride. Well, $23,000 will help, too. Wright, the reigning two-time all-around world champ and 2020 bull riding world titlist, topped the season’s best score of 91.25 points, set by Ryder. “To do that on a horse like that means more to me than any amount of money,” saidWright, 21. “The four of us who made it 1. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah..............$25,192 2. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta. ...........20,708 3. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.. ..........10,474 4. Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alb.....10,431 5. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo.. ................. 8,149 6. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont............ 8,029 7. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah. ................... 7,701 8. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont.. ............ 6,074 9. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah................ 5,350 10. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D........................ 4,145 11. Leon Fountain, Socorro, N.M................ 4,033 12. Ben Andersen, Rocky Mtn. House, Alb.. 4,033 13. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La.. .................... 3,510 14. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif................... 3,457 15. Jacob Kammerer, Philip, S.D.. .............. 3,442 PRCA XTREME BRONCS 2021 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of May 25)

to the finals drew our final-round horse out of a hat, and I was the last guy out. I needed a 90 to win. I’ve never made a perfect ride, but this was one of my better rides. The horse was jumping and leaping and was just a great ride. It’s one every guy would want.” The event featured four sections of go-rounds, with the winner of each section advancing to the finals. The top 10 finishers in the 2020 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings, the top eight in the 2021 world standings, and the 2020 California Circuit year-end champion and RAMCalifornia Circuit Finals Rodeo average champion were invited to compete. The event offered $50,000 of added money. Wright, of Milford, Utah, was joined by Spencer in the finals, along with Hay and Jake Finlay. Earlier in the day, Stetson won his section with an 84-point ride aboard Rosser Rodeo’s DominoTheory for $3,000 that put him into the final round. Hay earned $13,000 after finishing as the runner-up. With his winnings in Coarsegold, Wright got quite a bit closer to Ryder in the saddle bronc riding standings, moving to within $12,000 of the top spot. It’s all part of the master plan. “My goal since I started in 2019 is to win what I call the triple crown: bulls, broncs and the all-around,” Wright said. “I’m going to keep after it.”

Dan Lesovsky photo Stetson Wright was all smiles after his win in Coarsegold, Calif.

Complete results/Page 48

ProRodeo Sports News 5/28/2021

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