Saddle bronc riding’s Top 4 has had the same cowboys since the beginning of May leaving little room for change.
Stetson Wright and Zeke Thurston are getting closer to No. 1 saddle bronc rider in the World, Sage Newman, but they also battle back and forth for the No. 2 and No. 3 positions in the world. It is just $3,826 that separates Wright and Thurston as they head into the final month of the season. Kade Bruno has remained steady in fourth.
With a possibility of two rookies, Q Taylor and Ryder Sanford, cinching their first National Finals Rodeo as they sit on the bubble, the Top 20 is bringing the heat.
No. 8 Ryder Wright, $126,688
The Xtreme Broncs Finals in Rapid City, South Dakota boosted Wright at just the right time. An 89-point ride on Dirty Lizard split the Long Round win for him and added almost $8,000 to his earnings. From there, he picked up $5,000 more by placing at the Golden Spike Rodeo and winning both the Gem State Stampede and the Salmon Stampede PRCA Rodeo.
No. 9 Wyatt Casper, $119,757
Casper has struggled with injuries this season and a win at the Xtreme Broncs Finals put him back on track. He split the Long Round with Wright after an 89-point ride before going on to be 92 points in the Short Round aboard J Bar J’s Straight Jacket. He left Rapid City with over $30,000 added to his earnings moving him from No. 18 to No. 9. He added to it again with paydays coming his way in Kennewick, Washington and Tremonton, Utah.
World Ranks | Name | Earnings |
1. | Sage Newman | $221,365 |
2. | Stetson Wright | $207,967 |
3. | Zeke Thurston | $204,141 |
4. | Kade Bruno | $174,710 |
5. | Ben Andersen | $144,922 |
6. | Dawson Hay | $143,187 |
7. | Layton Green | $127,185 |
8. | Ryder Wright | $126,688 |
9. | Wyatt Casper | $119,757 |
10. | Lefty Holman | $117,326 |
11. | Chase Brooks | $116,149 |
12. | Damian Brennan | $115,359 |
13. | Q Taylor | $111,708 |
14. | Brody Cress | $106,361 |
15. | Tanner Butner | $101,689 |
16. | Kolby Wanchuk | $101,042 |
17. | Isaac Diaz | $97,369 |
18. | Leon Fountain | $97,284 |
19. | Statler Wright | $96,770 |
20. | Ryder Sanford | $96,167 |
Standings current as of prorodeo.com on August 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM EST.