World Championships run in the Wright family blood. Stetson, Statler, and Ryder are all in gold buckle contention with one round remaining.
Legacy Night at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo lived up to its name in Round 9. There is no family that embodies that theme more completely than the Wrights. Tonight it was Stetson, Statler, and Ryder Wright ending first, second, and third in the saddle bronc riding.
Stetson Wright topped the round with an 89.75-point ride aboard The Cervi Brothers’ R. Watson’s Mad Skills, followed closely by Statler Wright’s 88 point ride and Ryder Wright’s 86.5. Three brothers, one round, and all three still very much in contention for a gold buckle.
Stetson, Statler, Damien Brennan, and Weston Patterson have been the only four saddle bronc riders to take a round win at this years finals. Both Wrights and Brennan have a chance at the gold buckle come Round 10.
Statler Wright Chasing First World Title
If the NFR ended tonight, Statler Wright would be the World Champion saddle bronc rider.
The youngest of the three brothers has put together a very impressive second NFR. Statler has now won Rounds 3, 6, and 7, and after Round 9 he leads the average, the most critical race at this stage of the finals.
Last year marked Statler’s NFR debut. This year, he’s leading it all.
While Ryder and Stetson already hold gold buckles, Statler has proved himself worthy of one himself. Consistency, composure, and confidence have positioned him just one night away from possibly making history and adding another Wright name to the list of saddle bronc world champions.
Reining World Champ Ryder Wright
Ryder Wright knows what it takes to come out on top. A three-time World Champion in 2017, 2020, and last year in 2024, he came into Las Vegas as the man everyone was chasing. Though he has stayed near the top of the standings, missing his horse out in round 5 hurt his chances.
Even so, Ryder remains in the hunt. His experience and ability to rebound under pressure make him one to watch with one round left to ride. Ryder is outside of the average race completely and will likely need a big round win tomorrow night to beat his brothers to the gold.
Stetson Wright is Still in the Fight
Stetson Wright’s finals have been an incredible comeback story.
After earlier controversy knocked him out of the saddle bronc average, many wondered how much ground he could possibly regain. Round 9 provided an answer again. His winning ride not only reminded fans why he’s called “Superman,” but also kept him alive in the race — both in the saddle bronc and in his pursuit of the all around title and triple crown.
Stetson, the 2021 saddle bronc world champion, has now won multiple rounds across disciplines this week. While the average may be out of reach, another round win tomorrow night could be the way to the Saddle Bronc World Championship.
The Foundation - Cody Wright’s Legacy
None of this exists without the legendary Cody Wright.
The Wright family legacy began long before the current generation took over the Thomas & Mack. Cody Wright qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo in 2003 and went on to make 13 NFR appearances. 12 of those were consecutive. He captured the saddle bronc world title in 2008 after a season long battle with another great, Billy Etbauer and again in 2010 with a thing lead over fan favorite Wade Sundell.
By 2013, Cody became just the 20th PRCA cowboy to surpass $2 million in career earnings. In 2023, his career was recognzied with induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Perhaps his greatest achievement has been inspiring an entire family dynasty.
In 2014, the Wrights broke the Etbauer family’s record by sending four brothers, Cody, Jake, Jesse, and Spencer to the NFR in the same event. Two years later, they broke their own record when five Wrights qualified in the saddle bronc riding, Cody, Jake, and Jesse again along with Codys oldest two sons Rusty and Ryder.
Wright vs. Wright... the Wright Way
The needed competitive edge is sharpened long before the Wright brothers ever nod their heads in Las Vegas. At the buckle ceremony, Stetson Wright summed it up simply. “If you hang around four champs, you’re bound to be the fifth,” he said, referencing the winning environment the brothers push each other in every day at home.
With one round remaining in the 2025 NFR, the saddle bronc world title comes down to a family rivalry. Statler leads the average. Ryder leads the world standings. Stetson is still capable of stealing the show.
It’s brother versus brother and the Wright Way on full display.
No matter how it ends, the Wright family has once again proven that greatness isn’t a coincidence; it’s built, passed down, and earned one ride at a time.
The best part of it all may be that when the chutes crack open tomorrow night, these three brothers will be each other’s biggest rivals and each other’s biggest supporters and cheerleaders too — that's how they do it, the Wright way.
Round 9 Results
1. Stetson Dell Wright, 89.75 points on The Cervi Brothers' R. Watson's Mad Skills
2. Statler Wright, 88
3. Ryder Wright, 86.5
4. Ben Andersen, 86
5. Sage Newman, 85
6. Damian Brennan, 84.25
Current Average Standings
1. Statler Wright, 776.75 points on nine head
2. Lefty Holman, 767
3. Ben Andersen, 759.25
4. Zachary Dallas, 755.75
5. Sage Newman, 753
6. Brody Cress, 745.5
7. Stetson Dell Wright, 700.25 on eight head
8. Ryder Wright, 694.75
9. Zeke Thurston, 690.75
10. Damian Brennan, 689
11. Weston Patterson, 683
12. Q Taylor, 678.75
13. Kade Bruno, 672.75
14. Brody Wells, 595.75 on seven head
15. Dawson Hay, 574.5.
Current World Standings
1. Ryder Wright, $413,899
2. Damian Brennan, $367,403
3. Statler Wright, $358,948
4. Stetson Dell Wright, $345,665
5. Zeke Thurston, $332,336
6. Dawson Hay, $306,418
7. Kade Bruno, $303,921
8. Brody Cress, $272,003
9. Brody Wells, $269,064
10. Weston Patterson, $258,846
11. Zachary Dallas, $239,946
12. Sage Newman, $231,335
13. Ben Andersen, $196,625
14. Lefty Holman, $192,132
15. Q Taylor, $188,853