“These Boys Are Exceptional:” The Wright Brothers
The Wright brothers aren’t just winning rodeos, they’re redefining what a family legacy looks like under the arena lights.
When I attended the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), I was inside the Thomas & Mack Center soaking up the intense energy of America’s premier rodeo event and I struck up a conversation with several folks connected with the Canby Rodeo in Oregon. They didn’t praise one star, but rather raved about the entire Wright family.
At that point, I hadn’t yet seen much of the Wrights compete live, so their glowing reputation sounded like hyperbole. But everywhere I turned, the same sentiment — coming from everyone from fellow spectators to veteran rodeo hands — echoed: “These boys are exceptional.”
Fast forward to the 2025 NFR, when I was on site again, this time with views closer to the dirt, closer to the action, and closer to history. Watching the Wright brothers compete round after round was an eye-opening experience unlike any other. Not only were they contenders, but also they were dominant, a force in saddle bronc riding and all-around competition that’s reshaping the modern rodeo landscape.
The foundation of the Wright legacy stretches back generations, rooted in ranching life in Utah and built on hard work, family values, and early immersion in horses and livestock. Ranching was part of the family for over 150 years, long before the first Wright stepped onto a PRCA stage.
The dynasty really began with Cody Wright, who today is recognized as a PRCA Hall of Famer. Cody grew up around livestock and horses, but his competitive rodeo journey surged forward when he found his father’s old gear, discovered a love for saddle bronc riding, and began entering youth events. After winning the Utah High School All-Around and Saddle Bronc titles in 1996, he accepted a scholarship to the College of Southern Idaho, where he honed his skills under elite coaching.
Cody turned pro in 1998, and over the next decade he built a reputation as one of the stalwarts in saddle bronc riding. He earned 13 NFR qualifications, claiming two world saddle bronc championships in 2008 and 2010, achievements that laid the groundwork for a family tradition of excellence. Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
Cody’s brothers, Jesse, Jake, and Spencer, also carved their names into the record books, with world titles and high finishes throughout the early 2010s. In 2014, the Wrights made history as the first family to have four brothers qualify for the same event at the NFR, a milestone that cemented their place in rodeo lore.
From this rich family lineage came the next generation: Cody’s sons, who have taken the sport by storm. By the mid-2020s, four Wright brothers — Rusty, Ryder, Stetson, and Statler — became regular contenders at major PRCA rodeos and the NFR itself.
Of Cody’s sons, Ryder Wright is among the most experienced. As of 2025, he had competed in the NFR nine times and claimed multiple world saddle bronc titles, including earlier championships and consistent top-tier performances through the season.
Ryder’s style is classic yet powerful, embodying the cow-horse tradition his father instilled in him. He’s also claimed notable wins at major rodeos like RodeoHouston, where he sealed the championship after a rare ride-off performance in 2025, a victory celebrated with his younger brothers watching from the sidelines.
Stetson Wright has arguably followed the most multifaceted path. Unlike many western athletes who specialize early, Stetson excelled in multiple roughstock events, including bull riding and saddle bronc riding, early in his career. He has since become one of the most decorated competitors in recent history. His trophy case includes eight world titles, multiple all-around championships (including a flurry in consecutive seasons), two bull riding titles, and saddle bronc titles. He’s also competed through injuries, surgeries, and comebacks, returning to the top of leaderboards and thrilling crowds with each appearance. At the 2025 NFR, Stetson played a critical role in his family’s sweep of the leaderboard, even finishing high enough to influence how the world titles shook out for his younger siblings.
The youngest of the competing trio, Statler Wright, has risen faster than anyone could have predicted. Beginning saddle bronc riding only around 2020, Statler’s ascent to the top was meteoric. At the 2025 NFR, Statler put on one of the most impressive performances of the week. He scored heavily round after round, took seven round checks and multiple go-round wins, and ultimately secured both the NFR Average title and the PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Championship.
What makes this accomplishment even more staggering is the razor-thin margin of victory: Statler clinched the world title by just $346 over his brother Ryder, one of the closest finishes in PRCA history. This wasn’t just a personal moment; it was a family triumph, as all three brothers, Statler, Ryder, and Stetson, finished 1-2-3 in the world standings.
The Wright story isn’t just about individual titles, it’s about a family culture rooted in the western lifestyle. Growing up on ranches where livestock and horses were part of everyday life, rodeo became more than a sport: it was a family pursuit, one passed from parents to children and between siblings who pushed each other to be better.
Even off the rodeo trail, their bond shows. From traveling together across circuits to cheering each other’s successes and lifting one another after defeats or injuries, the Wright brothers embody a blend of fierce competition and deep mutual support.
Local fans have even celebrated the family’s impact on their hometown, with community tributes highlighting the brothers’ achievements and their embodiment of small-town Western values.
By the time the curtain closed on the 2025 NFR, the Wright family had once again rewritten the record books, not merely through statistics but through a narrative of generational excellence. From Cody’s early days riding broncs to Statler’s historic world title, each Wright has carried the legacy forward while inspiring the next generation of cowboys.
Their story, family pride, and relentless pursuit of excellence resonates far beyond the arena. It’s a testament to what happens when natural talent meets unwavering dedication, mentorship, and a family that rodeos together and wins together.
