Rusty Wright Claims Saddle Bronc Riding Title At 2026 Kitsap Stampede

As the Northwest rodeo run continues, the 2026 Kitsap Stampede brought another weekend of standout performances to Bremerton, Washington.

R.C. Landingham secured the win in bareback riding with 87.5 points on Korkow Rodeos' Tator Tot, collecting $7,544. Carson Hildre finished second with an 86-point ride, Bryce Eck third with an 85.5, and a three-way tie for fourth between Kashton Ford, Tim O'Connell, and Donny Proffit, who each scored 85 points.

There was a tie at the top of the steer wrestling leaderboard. Rowdy Parrott and J.D. Struxness both stopped the clock in 3.4 seconds, earning $4,330 each. Rhett Witt finished third with a 3.6-second run, followed by another tie in the fourth place spot between Ty Erickson, Eli Lord, and Tyler Waguespack, who each had 3.7-second runs.

Team roping saw yet another tie at the top of the leaderboard. Kavis Drake and Denim Ross, along with Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, took home the event title with a pair of 3.8-second runs. Ketch Kelton and Denton Dunning finished right behind with a 3.9-second run, while Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake rounded out the top four with a 4.1-second run.

In the saddle bronc riding, Rusty Wright topped the leaderboard with a 91.5-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc's Batter Up. Wright, who currently sits No. 1 in the world standings, added $7,473 to his season earnings as he continues to widen the gap between his brothers – No. 2-ranked Ryder and No. 3-ranked Stetson. Horse Heaven Roundup Champion Waitley Sharon finished second at the event, tying with Statler Wright after they both scored 89 points.

No. 11-ranked Quade Hiatt won the tie-down roping by nearly half a second after laying down a 7.2-second run. John Douch finished second with a 7.6, Riley Webb third with a 7.7, and a three-way tie for fourth between Ty Harris, Sam Lewis, and Cory Solomon, who each stopped the clock in 7.8 seconds.

Anita Ellis claimed the barrel racing title with her 16.81-second run, collecting $6,356. Megan McLeod-Sprague finished second with a 16.89, while Lisa Lockhart finished third with a 16.94. Lockhart is well on her way to making NFR barrel racing history in 2026 – a qualification this year would signify 20 consecutive NFR qualifications.

Danielle Lowman and Madison Outhier tied for the breakaway roping title with a pair of 1.9-second runs. No. 1-ranked Cheyanne McCartney finished third with a 2.0, followed by a six-way tie for fourth. Joslyn Arnold, Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Sawyer Gilbert, Laramie Jackson, Kendal Pierson, and Jill Tanner each recorded 2.1-second runs.

In the bull riding, TJ Gray finished atop the leaderboard with an 87.5-point ride on All In Pro Rodeos' Seven Shy to collect $7,276. Colten Fritzlan finished second with an 86.5, while Tristen Hutchings and Grady Young tied for third with a pair of 85.5-point rides.