BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
Stetson Wright enters the 2022 NFR as the man to beat in the bull riding.
Wright, who has already won five Gold Buckles in total, won his first PRCA Bull Riding World Championship in 2020 before getting knocked off by Sage Kimzey in 2021.
In 2022, Wright enters with a regular season earnings record of $320,599 and a lead of more than $90,000 on the No. 2 man in the world, Josh Frost.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
RodeoHouston, $57,500
Wright was unbeatable in Houston this season. He rode 5-of-6 bulls, finished first or second in the round every time he made the whistle and recorded three 90-point rides - including 93 on Vitalix Yellowstone to win the $50,000 check in the Finals.
Rodeo Austin, $19,367
The very next weekend after the Finals of RodeoHouston, Wright dominated in similar fashion in Austin. He was 3-for-3 with two 90-point rides and won the Second Round and the Finals.
Fort Worth Xtreme Bulls, $19,654
At the unofficial kickoff of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Wright was 2-for-2. He was 88.5 to take second in the Long Round and 90 to win the Short Round. His two-head score of 178.5 points was six better than Josh Frost.
HIGHEST MARKED RIDES
Caldwell Night Rodeo, 93 Points
Wright made five 90+ point rides in the three rodeos listed above, but he still saved some for the summer. His 93-point ride on Domino of Powder River Rodeo won him the event and more than $8,600.
Clovis Rodeo, 91 Points
Wright’s first 90-point ride after the barrage in Texas came in Clovis. It was one of two bull riding wins in California for Wright in 2022 and his first in the Golden State since Salinas in 2019.
Nephi Xtreme Bulls, 89.5 Points
Wright won the Long Round at the Nephi Xtreme Bulls on the last day of the regular season, Sept. 30.
Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo, 89.5 Points
The week before Nephi, Wright was also 89.5 points, this time doing so on Pickup Man of Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co to win the rodeo by six points.
NOTABLE WINS
Range Days Rodeo, 86 Points
One week after the Finals of Caldwell, Wright claimed the title in Rapid City, South Dakota. He won a total of four times in August.
Magic Valley Stampede, 88 Points
Wright’s winning ways in the bull riding rolled into September as he won the Magic Valley Stampede the first weekend of the month and would go on to win three more rodeos before season’s end.
MEET THE NFR ATHLETES IS PRESENTED BY MONTANA SILVERSMITHS #everybucklehasastory #goldbucklebound