The PRCA bull riding race is as tight as it’s been in years, but the bigger story may be the versatility of the two cowboys heading to Las Vegas this December, sitting No. 1 and No. 2. Both Stetson Wright and Wacey Schalla have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in two events, and they sit first and second in the all-around standings.

Schalla earned his way to Vegas in both bareback riding and bull riding. Wacey made his debut in bull riding last year, but this is his first year to qualify in bareback as well. He had many big wins this year in both events. In bareback, he won Vernal, Heber City, and the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake, to name a few. In bull riding, he won Rodeo Austin, Red Bluff, the inaugural year of the Music City Rodeo, and Calgary. He is going in as the No. 1 bull rider and the No. 12 bareback rider to Vegas.

Stetson, however, is a young veteran of the bright lights of Las Vegas with eight all-around world titles, one saddle bronc title, and two bull riding world titles. Wright qualified in saddle bronc riding and bull riding again in 2026. He was leading the bull riding for most of the season until having to sit out due to injury. That gave Wacey the chance to get slightly ahead before Vegas. Stetson will remain No. 2 in bull riding and No. 12 in saddle bronc heading to the NFR. He has his eyes on a big feat: the Triple Crown.

There is another big name making his way up in the bull riding standings. Ky Hamilton climbed comfortably into third after his big win at the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls. All three have surpassed the $300,000 mark in earnings, setting up a big show in Vegas. Hamilton and Wright both already have world titles, but Schalla has his eyes on his own.

While a gold buckle in each individual event is on the line, the all-around title looms just as large. Wright has made a career out of his dominance in multiple events, but Schalla has emerged just as capable in his respective events. Stetson has just over $390,000 to his name, and Wacey nearly $360,000. With each round paying over $30,000 per event, it will come down to the wire at the Thomas & Mack. 

Fans were concerned about Wright, who did not compete at the 2025 Governor’s Cup after being injured in Puyallup, Washi. Wright was stepped on by a horse and had five broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a pelvic injury. He was hoping to get healthy enough for the Playoff Finals, however his focus now is getting strong and healthy to make a run at three gold buckles this December.