A Costly Controversy Lit a Fire in Rodeo's Superman — Stetson Wright is Here to Stay

Round 6 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was set to be another step in Stetson Wright’s march toward a historic triple crown. Instead, it became one of the most debated moments of the entire finals, and the moment that lit a fuse under rodeo’s biggest superstar.

Stetson opened the night in the saddle bronc riding with what appeared to be a strong, clean ride. But then the yellow flag dropped. Moments later, the judges announced he had missed the horse out, handing the eight-time world champion a devastating no-score.

The Thomas & Mack went silent, the broadcast booth immedtaiely questioned it. Fans online erupted And Stetson? He didn’t throw a fit, he acted in world champion fashion, and he came back with fire.

When they tried to take it from him, he said watch this.

In bareback and saddle bronc riding, a cowboy must have the heels of his boots above the point of the horse’s shoulders when the horse’s front feet first hit the ground. If he does this successfully, he “marks the horse out.” If not, he “misses him out,” and is disqualified. 

The Mark Out Rule is one of rodeo’s oldest and toughest rules, but it’s also one of the hardest calls to make in real time. That is exactly one of the biggest reasons the PRCA introduced video replay review for roughstock events.

On the broadcast replay, Stetson’s feet appeared to be right where they needed to be. Even the commentators openly disagreed with the call. However, the judges ruled that he missed the horse out on the right side, and in rodeo, the judges’ decision stands.

The replay looked clear to many, and the call didn’t match what we were all seeing. This ruling changed a lot of things for Wright and for the gold buckle conversations. 

Before Round 6, Stetson was leading the average and very much on pace to contend for the saddle bronc gold buckle again. After the call, he dropped to 9th in the average, still technically alive but now needing massive round wins to climb back into contention.

This wasn’t just a missed go round check, it blew much of the whole bronc-riding race wide open.

Within minutes of the call, social media lit up with slow-motion videos, screenshots, expert opinions, and fan outrage. Former world champions weighed in, analysts weighed in, thousands of fans weighed in. 

Nearly no one, even his biggest competitors agreed with this call. 

This amplified the storyline even more. Why have replay if a replay that clear can still be ruled against the cowboy?

Whether right or wrong, the moment will be talked about for years, not just because of who it happened to, but because of when and how it happened, and how the cowboy responded. 

Stetson Wright wasn’t just riding for round money tonight. He was riding for history.

The triple crown, winning the saddle bronc world title, bull riding world title, and all-around world title in the same season, is one of the rarest feats in rodeo. Stetson already leads the all-around. He leads the bull riding average and world. Before Round 6, he was in perfect position to strike in the bronc riding too. 

One controversial call now makes that path significantly harder, but not impossible — not for him. 

As Stetson has proven again and again, his hardest challenges often become the spark for his biggest moments.

When the saddle bronc ruling knocked him out of the average, Stetson walked back into the arena with a different kind of fire for the bull riding. He paired with Stockyards ProRodeo’s Amasestays.com Insurrection and won the round with 88.5 points, his third bull riding round win of the week.

He didn’t throw a fit, he didn’t fold, he did what champions do, he came back and won. 

In his interview with Janie Johnson afterward, he made sure everyone knew exactly how he felt:

“Considering the bronc riding, I was pretty fired up. I knew my feet were there… They don’t want me to have it, so I’m gonna come and earn it. They ain’t taking it from me. I’m here to stay.”

Like he has said before, Stetson smiles saying, I’m healthy, wealthy, handsome, and happy  and I’m glad to be here.” The kind of gratitude and awareness that is built through tough losses. 

Before his sidelining injury that took him out for the 2023 finals and all of 2024 , Stetson was the most dominant. Some questioned whether he’d ever return to that level. Now, after his comeback, his perspective has clearly shifted.

He knows what it felt like to sit in the stands. Stetson knows what it felt like to miss the finals.So it is easy to say he of all people knows exactly how much these moments mean.

That gratitude has sharpened him, not softened him.Tonight, when the judges took his bronc ride away, he reminded everyone who he is.

When asked what fans can expect from Stetson in the next four rounds he said, “Fireworks. Like I said, I am here to stay.”

This is why they call him Superman.

This controversy shook up the standings, the average races, and the triple-crown conversation, but it also lit the fuse on a story that is far from finished.

When the world doubts Stetson Wright, he doesn’t fall, he just uses it to fuel him to greatness.

Now Vegas will be anxiously waiting for the fireworks he promised. 4 rounds to go, and Stetson is still very well in the conversation.