Watch the violence. Cringe at the power. Admire the strength. Riding bulls seems so random, a blend of skill and sprinkles of good luck. Until Stetson Wright wanders into the arena. When the chute opens, it seems like he’s glued to the beast, his rides are a rhythmic 8-second dance. He boasts seven PRCA World Championships to show for it, with two of those coming in bull riding (2020, 2022).
His excellence and determination came together on Saturday night as he posted his latest victory. Wright won the Cactus Jack Xtreme Bull Riding title in Uvalde, Texas, delivering a score of 266.5 points on three-head.
“I love everything about the sport. There’s nothing like a bronc ride. It feels better. But there’s nothing better than when there’s nothing holding you on other than spurs, your hand and a rope and you ride one of the rankest bulls in the world,” Wright said. “I love it. There’s no feeling like it.”
Wright found traction from the onset in Texas. He won the first round with a 91 on United Pro Rodeo’s Pit Bull, earning $4,195. After finishing fifth in the second round, Wright embraced the pressure of the final go.
That’s the thing, though, he doesn’t see it that way. His ability to focus on the small details leads to big things. He walked away with $17,059 in total prize money after delivering an 89-point ride on United Pro Rodeo’s Happy Days, besting Jestyn Woodward’s three-head score of 254.
“This Xtreme Bulls event was really good, a lot of guys were doing well,” Wright said. “I wasn’t worried about winning it. If I started worrying about the end goal, that can get me off track. I act like it is just another ride.
“I had been on that bull three times before and had similar scores. He was good, doing a lot of the same things. He went around the right and stayed in the middle. I was able to do my job.”
Wright continues to produce results that widen eyes, winning double-figure titles, among them the bull riding crown at the Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo. For Wright, his pursuit is not only a world title, but something more pristine. It motivates him.
“I just feel like I can always improve. I set a goal of making a million dollars this year (after earning $927,941 in 2022). If I do that, I will set it higher,” said the 23-year-old star. “There’s no such thing as a perfect season, but it is what I am chasing.”
