Rusty Wright Continues Winning Streak At Gem State Stampede

The Northwest rodeo run took a trip to Coeur D'alene, ID, over the weekend for the 2026 Gem State Stampede, where some of the sport’s top competitors continued to widen their lead in the world standings race.

One of the standout stories of the 2026 rodeo season comes from Rusty Wright, who is looking to win his first Gold Buckle this December. The No. 1-ranked cowboy secured the saddle bronc riding title in Coeur D' Alene with an 85-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo's Barraness, bringing his season earnings over $246,000. No. 11-ranked Kolby Wanchuk finished second with 84.5 points, followed by a three-way tie for third between Jake Finlay, Cooper Thatcher, and Zeke Thurston’s 84-point rides.

In bareback riding, Toby Deudney claimed the event title with an 86-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo's Topless, collecting $4,054. Clay Jorgenson finished second with an 85.5, while No.6-ranked Keenan Hayes finished third with 83.5 points.

Bridger Champers topped the steer wrestling leaderboard with a 3.7-second run, nearly edging Jesse Brown and TJ Sigman, who each stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds. Fourth place saw another tie – Tristan Martin and Tad Williams turned in a pair of 3.9-second runs.

No. 1-ranked team Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, along with Cory Kidd and Carson Johnson, rose to the top of the team roping with 4.3-second runs. Driggers and Nogueira recently moved into the No. 1 spot in the world standings and continue to pull ahead of previous leaders Korbin Rice and Cooper Freeman. There was another tie for third place between Coy Rahlmann and Logan Medlin, Clint Summers and Jade Corkill, and Tyler Tryan and Nicky Northcott, with a set of 4.5-second runs.

Marty Yates finished atop the tie-down roping with a 8.0-second run – leading the field by over half a second. Coy Skocdopole’s 8.6- second run earned him second place, and Riley Pruitt rounded out the top three with an 8.7.

Reigning World Champion Breakaway Roper Taylor Munsell took home the win for the weekend with a 2.0-second run, worth $5,170. Josie Goodrich, Jordan Minor, and Ryland Pintar tied for second with a set of 2.1-second runs, while Samantha Kingsbury finished fifth with a 2.2.

Only half a second separated the top four in barrel racing, with Heidi Gunderson ultimately coming out on top with a 17.10-second run. Morgan Addison finished second with a 17.11, Sydney Graham third with a 17.13, and Michelle Alley fourth with a 17.16.

Qynn Anderson ended the rodeo with a high note, taking the win in bull riding with 88.5 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo's Lever Action. Parker Breding and Dally Sears tied for second with matching 86-point rides, while Cooper Caldwell, Dakota Hill, Brad Moreno, and Jestyn Woodward tied for fourth with a set of 85.5-point rides.

Only a few short weeks left in the 2026 season. While many pay close attention to the top of the world standings, the bubble around No. 15 is just as exciting to watch.