Two-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Ryder Wright is making his eighth consecutive National Finals Rodeo appearance.
He wrapped up 2022 as the No. 10 ranked bronc rider in the World, the lowest he has ever been. Wright is sitting No. 7 in the world for 2023, despite missing a critical 30 days from June 19-July 18. He will enter the Thomas & Mack trailing six of rodeo’s best, having his work cut out for him.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
RodeoHouston, $10,500
After picking up two Go-Round checks in his Super Series, Wright went on to be 86.5 points to win his Semifinals on Buck Owens of Stace Smith Pro Rodeo. He finished sixth in the Championship Round to bring the curtain down on RodeoHouston.
Cinch Playoffs Governors Cup, $10,000
At the first ever Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Wright took the first Go-Round home with him after going toe-to-toe with Brookman Rodeo’s Ragin Lunatic. It was 83.5 points and paid him $10,000.
Xtreme Broncs Finals (South Dakota), $9,416
A monster ride came Wright’s way in Round 1 of the Xtreme Broncs Finals and his matchup was J Bar J’s Dirty Lizard. They put together an 89-point ride to tie with Wyatt Casper for the Long Round win. He was bucked off in the Finals, but his lone 89-pointer paid him $7,921 for the round and another $1,495 for eighth in the Average.
HIGHEST MARKED RIDES
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, 89.5 Points
In the Final Round in San Antone, Wright met up with Brookman’s Ragin Lunatic for the first time this season. Wright made $7,500 in San Antonio, but behind four 90+ Point Rides in the Finals, his highest marked ride of the year didn’t get him paid. This was the first time Wright didn’t make a 90+ Point Ride in the regular season.
Canby Rodeo (Oregon), 89 Points
In mid-August, Wright won over $5,000 after a big ride on Amazon Hills of Calgary Stampede. It was his second consecutive victory at the Canby Rodeo on the fourth time he has won in Oregon since the beginning of the 2022 season.
World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Matched Xtreme Bronc Ride (Montana), 89 Points
Round 1 in Miles City was full of big names that it resulted in a three-way split for first. Wright, Sage Newman and Kade Bruno all made 89-point rides to get their piece of the money and for Wright, it was on J Bar J’s Choctaw Bingo.
NOTABLE WINS
Caldwell Night Rodeo (Idaho), 176.5 Points on Two
The same weekend he won Canby, a sweep came Wright’s way in Idaho. Winning Round 1 with an 88.5 on Calgary Stampede’s Burboun and winning the Final Round with an 88 on Powder River;s great mare, Miss Valley, Wright added $8,500 to his total earnings.
Sisters Rodeo (Oregon), 88 Points
Keeping with the theme of rides in the high-80s, Wright was no different in Sisters. He claimed on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Barmaid in and made an 88-point ride to win. It was part of week in which Wright made more than $16,000 by pulling checks of $1,000 or more at five different rodeos.
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