BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN
He’s only 22, but with yet another Wrangler NFR berth, Ryder Wright has now qualified for the National Finals five times, including winning a Gold Buckle in 2017.
In 2020, Wright finished second in the world standings as one of two saddle bronc riders to make over $100,000 in the COVID-shortened season.
In his first two rodeos of the year, in Denver and Fort Worth, Wright won more than $14,000 combined. The biggest check came from an 89-point ride on Caffeinated in Dickies Arena.
Wright continued his success at the big winter rodeos by winning more than $10,000 in San Antonio, but prior to that, he collected a $2,908 check for a second place finish at the Dixie National Rodeo in Mississippi.
After not competing much in May and June as rodeos came back, Ryder Wright kick started his season again over Cowboy Christmas, where he won close to $8,000 between June 29 and July 4.
He would go on to win the Ute Stampede later on in the month, but he was even better in August and September.
RYDER WRIGHT - 87.5 POINTS TO WIN UTE STAMPEDE
In August, Wright won more than $20,000, picking up wins at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, the Gold Spike Bronc Riding Classic and the Range Day Rodeo Xtreme Broncs. The Range Days Xtreme Broncs win earned him more than $7,800 for his two rides.
RYDER WRIGHT - 92 POINTS TO WIN DODGE CITY
RYDER WRIGHT - 91.5 TO WIN RANGE DAY X BRONCS
In September, it was more domination for Wright.
Between Sept. 3 and Sept. 7, he won $1,000 or more at four rodeos in four states, picking up two wins (Gunnison, Colorado and Parawon, Utah) and two third place finishes (Filer, Idaho and Evanston, Wyoming).
Wright’s average score of 83.95 for the year is the highest so far of his decorated career.
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