Since joining the PRCA in 2016, Ryder Wright has qualified for nine consecutive NFRs and earned two World Titles. This year, he is one of only two bronc riders in the field, alongside Zeke Thurston, who has won a Gold Buckle. He has a great chance to add a third in 2024.
A late-season surge in Sioux Falls propelled him to a No. 2 finish in the PRCA Saddle Bronc World Standings, with over $251,000 in earnings. He is now just the fourth bronc rider in history to surpass the quarter-million mark during the regular season.
San Angelo Cinch Chute Out, $7,500
Wright made the Finals in Denver and Fort Worth, but really got going in April at the San Angelo Cinch Chute Out, which only features the best of the best in ProRodeo. He was 88 points in Round 1, but only the Finals paid out at the Cinch Chute Out. Luckily, he was even better there with 88.5 points on Toma Jo to beat out his fellow Short Go participants, Dawson Hay and Lefty Holman, both of whom also made the NFR.
Veater Bronc Match, $15,566
In May, Wright showed out at another very competitive event, the Veater Financial Bronc Match. He began with 91 points on Good Time Nic to open the rodeo, one of two 90+ Point Ride he recorded this season. In the winner-take-all Short Go, he was 87 points points on Corey & Lange’s Mojave Moon to beat out Holman by a half-point and bank $12,800.
Reno Rodeo, $13,683
Wright won the Average at the Reno Rodeo after going 259.5 on three. All three of his rides were marked between 85.5 and 88 points with the best coming in the Finals. Wright has made the Short Go there in two of the last three seasons.
The weekend before Reno began, Wright also won the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in his home state with 87 points on Party Planner in Utah. That paid him more than $4,000. Over the first weekend of Reno, he also placed second at Rodeo De Santa Fe.
Tally it all up, and he won $22,000+ in the last three weeks of June.
California Rodeo Salinas, $9,587
Wright nearly swept his way to one of his four victories in California this season. He was 84.5 points in Round 1 and 84 in Round 2 to win the Average by a half point over his uncle Spencer Wright.
Xtreme Broncs Finals, $22,504
The Xtreme Broncs Finals would be Wright’s second most lucrative rodeo of the 2024 regular season when he placed second in the Average with 173.5 points on two. The Average alone paid Wright nearly $12,000, but he also added $10,660 for a Round 1 win J Bar J’s In the Lou.
Cinch Playoffs Puyallup, $15,688
Wright won big in Puyallup after posting four rides of 84 points or more and he capped it with 89 in the Finals on Calgary Stampede’s Flying Carma to claim victory. The other three finalists were all NFR qualifiers - Lefty Holman, Kolby Wanchuk, and Damian Brennan.
Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, $38,250
Wright ended his year with a bang at the Governor’s Cup and itwould turn out to be his highest-paying rodeo of the year by far. Wright began with solid rides of 81.5 and an 84.5 in the first two rounds. In the Semis he was 87.5 points to advance to the Finals. He made the most of his opportunity in there, going 88 points on Sutton’s South Point to sweep both Cinch Playoff events.
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