After a record-setting NFR in which Ryder Wright won four rounds, split a fifth, and placed in nine of ten rounds, Wright could have easily coasted through the 2021 season. Instead, the 2020 World Champion earned over $180,000 on the year and sits in second place behind his brother, Stetson Wright ($193,095).
Ryder’s biggest win of the season came in early March at RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo where he went 91.5 points in the finals to cash a $100,000 check.
RYDER WRIGHT, THE AMERICAN RODEO, 91.5 POINTS
After a win that big it would make sense to take some time off, instead, Ryder would go on and place in two rounds of the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in early April. Wright won round one and two, earning him more than $10,000 on the weekend.
RYDER WRIGHT, RNCFR, 89.5 POINTS
The rest of April would be a struggle for Ryder, as he went five rodeos without cashing a check. Ryder’s next big win came at the World’s Oldest Rodeo where he went 89 points on Sun Glow to earn a check of $6,345.
RYDER WRIGHT, WORLD’S OLDEST RODEO, 89 POINTS
Ryder would remain consistent throughout the season, battling with Stetson for the top spot in the Saddle Bronc Riding World Standings. The two would go head to head at the Cheyenne Frontier Days where Stetson placed first and Ryder took second with an 88.5 point ride.
Ryder had his best season from an average score standpoint, averaging 84.51 points per ride, more than .5 points better than his previous career-best. The 2021 season saw Ryder win 19 go-rounds, and tallie more 90 point rides than any other season with seven.
Ryder will enter the NFR just $11,202.02 shy of Stetson Wright, who is the current World No. 1. If Ryder is able to win the World Title, he would win his third World Title in a five-year span, something that hasn’t been done by a Saddle Bronc Rider since the great Billy Etbauer did it between 1996 and 2000.