7-21 Pages for Bryan

Jesse Wright adds Cody Stampede to list of career accomplishments
BY MATT NABER
Jesse Wright’s ProRodeo résumé included everything from
World Champion to Rookie of the Year, but he hadn’t won
the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede – yet. That all changed when
he nailed an 85.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Delta
Force on July 4, which was good for gold and a $8,657
check.
“That is an awesome horse,” Wright said.
Jesse’s brother, two-time world champion Cody
Wright (2008, 2010), placed second at the 2016 Cody
Stampede while riding Delta Force. As a six-time qualifier
for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris
RANGER (2010-14, 2016) and the 2012 world champion,
Jesse knows a good bronc when he sees one, and knowing his
brother was successful with that horse added to the excitement.
“I was stoked all week when I found out I had him and I was hoping for
big things – and it turned out well and he bucked good,” Jesse said.
Wright edged out Jake Finlay by a half-point to take home his first Cody
Stampede win.
“It’s pretty cool to finally win it,” he said. “It’s pretty
awesome since it was going slow, and this made my week big.”
Wright placed third at the 2016 Cody Stampede, fourth
in 2014, and second in 2013.
“To finally get it made my Fourth of July,” he said. “It’s a
cool rodeo to win because it’s so big.”
Prior to Cowboy Christmas, the 28-year-old Utah
cowboy was No. 5 in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World
Standings with $46,830, and he stayed in that same spot as of
July 11, with $56,423.
“It set me up good and it’s always good to win big rodeos
like that – and to be able to say you won that rodeo,” Wright
said. “I can’t even explain how happy I am to win it.”
Wright started the 2017 season right by winning $3,091
at the NILE ProRodeo at Billings, Mont., in October and a
total of $8,160 at the RAM Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo
at Heber City, Utah, in November. His next win didn’t come
until the Lehi (Utah) Roundup on June 24, where he went
home with $1,957.
“Cowboy Christmas was alright – but I’ve had better,” he
said. “I drew some young horses all week and then I went to
Red Lodge (Mont.) and Cody and had some good ones there
and it picked up.”
Wright won $935 for placing fourth at the Home of
Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge.
Roughstock can be taxing – particularly during Cowboy
Christmas, when it’s one rodeo after another with stiff
competition and high stakes.
“Heck, it makes you stay on a straight arrow and stay
steady,” Wright said. “You have a hard enough time beating
Cody Stampede – Cody, Wyo.
them when you’re 100 percent, let alone when you’re
stiff and sore and not feeling good – so I’m going to
keep working out and try to get better every time.”
To keep up with the rigors of rodeo, Wright hits
the gym with a routine that targets previously injured
areas such as his knees and his shoulders.
“I live on that bicycle, it makes my knee feel
great,” he said. “I’ve been drawing good horses and I
feel healthy. I’m pretty happy and hope to finish the
season strong.”
“You head out with momentum,” Wright said
when asked how his Cowboy Christmas impacts his
approach to the remainder of the 2017 season. “I’ve
got to keep on keeping on and try to win another
one.”
Jesse hit the road with his brother, Alex, and brother-in-law, CoBurn
Bradshaw, for their home state to compete at the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo at
Vernal, Utah, on July 8, where he won $3,322 for his first-place 86.5-point ride
on Powder River Rodeo’s Baby Sitter.
“It’s going good – at least one of us is winning every time we go to a
rodeo,” Jesse said. “It’s been pretty epic.”
WRIGHT
FAMILY
ON COWBOY
CHRISTMAS
• Cody Wright – $2,150
• Jake Wright – $1,218
• Jesse Wright – $12,915
• Spencer Wright – $3,369
• Rusty Wright – $9,109
• Ryder Wright – $9,831
Andy Watson Photo
Bareback rider Tyler Nelson earned $10,032 for his 86-point winning ride on Frontier
Rodeo’s Gun Fire at the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede.
Complete results on Page 53
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
1. Jesse Wright ......................... 85.5 pts.
2. Jake Finlay ...................................... 85
3. Chase Brooks .................................. 83
4. Chet Johnson ............................... 82.5
TIE-DOWN ROPING
1. (tie) Caleb Smidt .................... 7.7 sec.
Sterling Smith ................................ 7.7
3. Trell Etbauer ................................... 8.4
4. Justin Brinkerhoff .......................... 8.6
BARREL RACING
1. Tammy Fischer ................... 16.88 sec.
2. Tiany Schuster ........................... 16.90
3. Kassie Mowry ............................ 16.92
4. Tillar Murray ............................... 16.93
BULL RIDING
1. Dustin Bowen ........................ 87.5 pts.
2. (tie) Sage Kimzey ............................ 87
Joe Frost ......................................... 87
4. Bryce Barrios ............................... 86.5
ProRodeo.com ProRodeo Sports News 7/21/2017 39