PRORODEO Sports News - July 2, 2026

PLAYOFF SERIES

Ryder Wright earned a share of the championship at the Snake River Stam pede in Nampa, Idaho. PRCA photo by Hailey Rae

RYDER WRIGHT, SAGE NEWMAN SHARE SADDLE BRONC TITLE AT SNAKE RIVER STAMPEDE BY TIERNEY MYERS, SPECIAL TO PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

R yder

Wright claimed his third Snake River Stam pede title with 176.5 points on two head. But it didn’t come easy with fellow saddle bronc rider Sage Newman matching Wright’s total to claim a share of the title.

Wright took the win in Nampa, Idaho, in 2018, then again in 2021. This year, he got the chance to match up with R. Watson’s Ed Bishop from Cervi Championship Rodeo.

“He was a little bit harder today than the last time I got on him,” Wright said. “He turned back and came around real tight, and it was a little more work than I was expecting. But, it all worked out.” Wright had an 89-point ride in the final performance June 20. That score, paired with his 87.5-point ride from the first round, was enough to carry him to a win. The Top 15 cowboys in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford Sad dle Bronc Riding World Standings is full of Wrights this year. As of July 1, Ryder Wright is No. 6 in the world, and Stetson and Rusty Wright hold the top two positions. Statler Wright, the 2025 PRCA World Champion, is within striking distance at No. 18 in the world. With Cowboy Christmas going on, Ryder Wright said he’s still focusing on staying positive and keeping things simple. The best part of it all though, he said, is the chance to keep getting on bucking horses. “Right now would be a good time to get on a hot streak,” Wright said. “So hopefully, it keeps going our way.” Other winners from the PRORODEO Playoff Series rodeo in Nampa, Idaho, were ALL-AROUND COWBOY STETSON WRIGHT ($1,212, saddle bronc riding and bull

riding); BARE BACK

RIDER COO PER COOKE

(172.5 points on two head); STEER WRESTLER SETH PE

TERSON (12.1 seconds on three head); TEAM ROPERS (tie) KORBIN RICE/COOPER FREEMAN and LIGHTNING AGUILERA/ KADEN PROFILI (13.3 seconds on three head); TIE-DOWN ROPER JAKE PRATT (24.9 seconds on three head); BARREL RACER ABBY PHILLIPS (47.17 seconds on three head); and BULL RIDER TJ GRAY (164.5 points on two head).

July 2, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 29