ProRodeo Sports News - September 2, 2022

BY TANNER BARTH I n just his fifth season of ProRodeo, StetsonWright continues to rewrite the record books. After earning $17,927 in the middle of August at three NFR Playoff Series presented by PendletonWhisky rodeos, the Milford, Utah, cowboy has now broken the PRCA record for the most money won in the all-around in a single season before the NFR with $347,052 in saddle bronc riding and bull riding. “It’s awesome, just because last year it seemed like the year couldn’t have gotten any better,” saidWright, 23. “Then this year it has. I’ve proven that it wasn’t a mistake last year and this season I did it five weeks earlier.” Last season, Wright broke the record that was previously set by Trevor Brazile in 2010, when he ended the 2021 regular season with $320,482. He would then go on to set the all-time single season earning record after the NFR with $686,513. At age 23, Wright is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In 2020, he was the PRCAWorld Champion in the all-around and bull riding. Last season, he added his fourth and fifth gold buckles by winning the all-around yet again and capturing his first saddle bronc riding world title. “Last year the only goal was to win the Triple Crown (three PRCAWorld Championships),” he said. “I didn’t really think about any of the money records to where this year I wanted to break some of those records. I wanted to break the earnings record in bronc riding, bull riding, and the all-around. I think just having goals for yourself makes things a lot easier.” He currently sits No.1 in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings in bull riding and second in saddle bronc riding. His 2022 season has been spurred by 23 all-around, 12 saddle bronc riding, and 12 bull riding wins so far this season. He said while his career is off to a historic start, he thinks he still has plenty of room to grow and get even better. “Looking back now it was a slow start to my career, but it didn’t seem so slow in 2019. I thought I was lighting the world on fire then, but I don’t know it seems like every year I’ve progressed and gotten better in each event that I’ve done,” saidWright. “In my mind I don’t even feel like I’ve hit my peak, I feel like I’m far from it still. I feel like I keep getting better each day that I’m out here. My confidence level just keeps going up and it’s just awesome and a dream come true.” Wright will have a golden opportunity to add to his regular season earnings total and break even more records with still four weeks remaining in the ProRodeo regular season, which concludes on Sept. 30. The Cinch Playoffs at the Puyallup Rodeo at the Washington State Fair, Sept. 8-11 will play a key role in that with a $1 million payout this season. “I think the main thing with finishing strong is I don’t really have much to lose right now,” he said. “I’m in a good enough spot to where I’m headed back to the NFR. Really, it’s just for fun rodeoing right now. I don’t have much to stress about. “I broke my all-around record. Now, I’m shooting to break the bull riding single season earnings record. I guess you could say that puts a little stress on you. But whether I do or don’t break it it’s not going to really effect my confidence. I’m just going to keep trying to make the best rides that I can, and I think finishing the year off strong always helps you going into the Finals.” Wright breaks all-around single season money record before NFR Record Breaker PRORODEO HISTORIC SEASONS

TOP 5 ALL-AROUND REGULAR SEASONS 1. Stetson Wright, $347,052, 2022* 2. Stetson Wright, $320,482, 2021 3. Trevor Brazile, $268,334, 2010 4. Trevor Brazile, $259,261, 2014 5. Trevor Brazile, $228,725, 2013 * 2022 ProRodeo regular season not complete

Jason Suntych photo

Stetson Wright took home the saddle bronc riding title in Cheyenne, Wyo. for the second straight season. Wright added $12,198 to his season total at the Daddy of ‘Em All.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/2/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 9/2/2022

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