The five-time NFR qualifier is showing that there is nothing rusty about his game.
For the past few seasons, Rusty Wright has been the Wright brother watching from the stands, cheering on his brothers while fighting his way back.
In 2026, Rusty has made it clear he is done waiting on the sidelines now, and wants a gold buckle himself.
Rusty Wright dominated Bracket 4 saddle bronc riding at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, winning both rounds with huge scores to advance to the semifinals. Wright opened the bracket with a 91 point ride aboard Championship Pro Rodeo’s Rebel Yell. He then backed it up with an 88 on Calgary Stampede’s Blue Chip in Round 2.
A five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Wright has not competed at the NFR since 2020. Injuries and setbacks kept him just outside the top 15 while his younger brothers Statler, Ryder and Stetson carried the Wright name at the top of the standings. The trio finished the 2025 season first, second and third in the world saddle bronc standings, with Stetson also claiming the bull riding world title and the all-around championship.
Rusty, meanwhile, became the loudest supporter in the stands, wearing that famous Wright blue and backing his family every step of the way. This season, the script has shifted though.
Wright currently sits second in the world standings only behind Wyatt Casper and has already earned nearly $50,000 early in the year. His Fort Worth performance so far has only reinforced that momentum he is building.
Wright has been open about changes in his personal life, including getting sober and marrying his wife, Haley. He has said the changes helped him feel like himself again, and the results are really showing in the arena.
Wright has also been open about changes outside of the arena that have reshaped his outlook and his riding too. At the start of the season, Rusty Wright shared that he marked one year of sobriety on Sept. 11, 2024, a decision he described as the most important of his life.
In a post he shared publicly, Wright said what he initially believed might only help his rodeo career ultimately transformed far more than his results in the arena. He pointed to improvements in his health, relationships, faith, attitude and overall happiness.
“Nothing worth having comes easy,” Wright said, a belief reflected in both his approach to life now and the way he has been riding broncs early this season.
The results have been visible early in the season. Wright sits near the top of the world standings and has ridden with a confidence and clarity that showed off very clearly in Fort Worth, where he came out with two of the highest marked rides of the rodeo so far.
A couple more of his big wins already in the 2026 season have included the Cinch World Toughest Rodeo and the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo. Wright is riding like he wants a gold buckle to take home to Utah too.
Rusty is happy and healthy and riding like everything is all-Wright.
FWSSR Bracket 4 Saddle Bronc Results
First round: 1. Rusty Wright, 91 points on Championship Pro Rodeo's Rebel Yell, $2,500; 2. Sage Newman, 89.5, $1,900; 3. Chase Brooks, 86, $1,500; 4. Leon Fountain, 85, $1,000; 5. Tanner Butner, 81, $125; 6. Dawson Dahm, 73, $125; no other qualified rides.
Second round: 1. Rusty Wright, 88 points on Calgary Stampede's Blue Chip, $2,500; 2. Chase Brooks, 83.5, $1,900; 3. (tie) Tanner Butner and Leon Fountain, 83, $1,250 each; 5. Dawson Dahm, 79, $125; no other qualified rides.
Semi Finals Qualifiers: 1. Rusty Wright 2. Chase Brooks
Wild Card: Leon Fountain