World Title Provided Unexpected Relief for This Wright Brother

By Brian Hurlburt

Statler Wright, by most accounts, probably wasn’t the Wright brother expected to win the 2025 PRCA Saddle Bronc World Championship. But when the dust settled, literally and figuratively, Statler won his first Gold Buckle by $346 over brother Ryder, while his other brother, Stetson, finished third.

For Statler, it was a title he always coveted, even more than he realized.

“I probably shouldn’t repeat what I said when I found out I won the title,” Wright said during a media event in Las Vegas in May 2026. “There were a lot of curse words. I was just so excited. I could’ve laid down right there on the floor because I was exhausted. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, one I didn’t even realize I was carrying. Then I walked back into the locker room and my dad (Cody), Rusty, Ryder and Stetson were all there. Seeing how excited they were for me made it even more special.”

For the first time in history, a series of Wright brothers finished 1-2-3 in the world standings. The family always celebrates success, remains tight-knit and pushes each other during epic riding sessions back home in Milford, Utah. In all, the immediate Wright family has won 16 world titles, led by Stetson’s 10. Ryder has three, while Cody has two and Statler this first one.

“Those practices are pretty amazing; it’s probably the toughest rodeo we’ll ever go to, and it’s right there at our house,” Statler said. “Getting on alongside Stetson, Rusty, Ryder and Spencer is electric. It gets pretty loud in that little arena, and everybody wants to make the best ride. It pushes you to ride better, especially with the greatest coach in the world—my dad—standing right there. I wish people could come watch it because it’s pretty awesome.”

While there may not be an “official” score after each of those sessions, the family definitely walks away knowing who had the best ride each day. Leading up to the 2025 NFR, Stetson and Statler battled.

“Before last year’s NFR, Stetson and I were getting on every couple of days, and I wanted to beat him,” Statler said. “One day he’d make the better ride, the next day I would. We just kept pushing each other to get better, and then we took that into Vegas. It worked out great.”

Father Cody always told the boys that they should never end a session on a bad ride, and that philosophy continues to shape each practice.

“It always depends. If you’re riding well, you might get on one or two horses, but if you’re struggling, there have been days when I’ve gotten on five,” Statler said. “The biggest thing is ending on a good note. The other guys won’t let me leave until I make a good ride, and I don’t want to leave until I do.”

At the 2025 NFR, Statler thought he clinched the title in Round 9 when he scored 88 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Cash Deal, but Stetson won the round and Ryder was third.

“I honestly thought it happened after Round 9 when I was 88 points, and I thought I’d won it right then, but I still knew I had to ride in the 10th round,” Statler said. “I didn’t realize everything else still had to fall into place. I don’t think I officially knew after my final ride until Janie Johnson told me. That was a pretty special moment.”

His brothers didn’t make it easy on him as they both scored 89.75 points to split first place and claim $32,824 apiece in the 10th go-round. But Statler scored 87.5 to tie for sixth, good for $2,957. That finish clinched first place in the 10-day average and, ultimately, the world title.

“I just tried to take it one horse at a time, but it was wild,” Statler said. “When I got to Vegas, I didn’t think I had much of a chance to win anything. Then I got rolling, won the third round, and it seemed like we were at South Point (for the awards) every night. I think we won seven of the 10 rounds. It was electric being part of it. People always say not to ride the highs, but when there are three Wrights winning, it’s pretty easy. Even if you’re not winning, somebody in your family is. Riding that high in Vegas is about the best feeling there is.”

As of this writing in early July, Statler is on the outside of the top 15 looking in for a chance to defend his world title in December at the Thomas & Mack Center. He had earned $61,303.12 and stood 17th.

But there is plenty of time and rodeos ahead to make up ground.

“It’s probably been one of the slower years I’ve had, but that’s all part of the journey,” Statler said. “You just keep chipping away. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long season, and if I keep picking up checks here and there, I’ll work my way back to the top.”

If and when he makes it back to the NFR in a few short months, he will relish another chance for 10 rides in Las Vegas.

“I love the NFR and everything about being in Vegas,” Statler said. “Ever since I was little, I watched my dad win there, my uncles win there and my brothers win there. It just seems like when the Wright family gets to Vegas, somebody flips a switch and everybody turns it on.

“If you’ve never walked into the Thomas & Mack Center during the NFR, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. There isn’t another rodeo like it. Whether it’s a fast time, a high score or a buck-off, that crowd is the loudest you’ll ever hear. It’ll give you chills. You just can’t duplicate the atmosphere of the NFR. It’s amazing.”