Wright Brothers Dominate Round 9, Stetson Inches Closer to All-Around Title

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of the PRCA

Round 9 of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was dominated by the boys in blue.

Ryder, Stetson and Statler Wright shined in the saddle bronc riding Friday night in front of 17,820 fans inside the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The brothers finished 1, 2, 3 in the standings, with Stetson Wright coming out on top with an 89.75-point ride on The Cervi Brothers' R. Watson's Mad Skills.

"It's freaking awesome," Stetson Wright said. "This is the first time I've been here with Statler and it's good to finally be getting back to riding with Ryder. It's freaking special that's for dang sure. That's something we've dreamed of since we were kids, getting here and dominating. This whole NFR has been pretty sweet."

This is the first time since 1990 NFR that brothers finished 1,2, and 3 in a round of saddle bronc riding. That year, in Round 9 in Las Vegas, ProRodeo Hall of Fame brothers Dan Etbauer (81 points); Robert Etbauer (78 points); and Billy Etbauer (77 points).

The win added $36,668 to Stetson Wright's ledger, which now sits at $344,689 from the NFR alone.

The total earnings helped Stetson Wright inch closer to his fifth all-around title, which would tie ProRodeo Hall of Famers Larry Mahan (1967-70, 1973) and Tom Ferguson (1974, 1976-79). He has been competing for the title all season against Wacey Schalla and held a $129,677 lead entering Round 9.

His lead is now $166,345 with one night remaining. Stetson Wright is also on the verge of becoming the first roughstock cowboy to ever hit $1 million in a single season. He's $263,641 away from accomplishing that feat.

Schalla still has an opportunity to make up ground in the final round of the NFR. A first-place check in bareback and bull riding would add more than $72,000 to his earnings. Factor in the possibility of ground money in bull riding and the race is still yet to be decided.

But Stetson Wright can feel it every time he steps into the arena. He has the momentum and plans to use it to his advantage.

"I've got nothing to lose at this point," Stetson Wright said. "We're just going to let it all hang out and try to ride them."

Ryder Wright and Statler Wright were equally as impressive Friday night. Statler Wright, the youngest of the bunch, won two straight go-rounds heading into Round 9 and placed second Friday night with an 88-point ride on Dakota Rodeo's Cash Deal. Ryder Wright was third with an 86.5-point trip on Bridwell Pro Rodeos' Indian Burn.

The second-place finish helped Statler Wright grow his lead in the average standings. He also moved up to No. 3 overall in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings. Three strong rides in a row, along with an overall good performance at the NFR, have Statler Wright's world championship aspirations very much alive.

With Zeke Thurston's buck off in Round 9, Statler Wright is now projected to win the PRCA World Championship. Ryder Wright currently leads the world but is projected to finish second.

"It's awesome because you big brother him all year and you're teasing him that he's a notch down from you," Stetson Wright said. "Then he shows up and starts kicking your ass. So it's pretty fun. Watching these two both win is everything. It's special."


COOKE RETURNS TO WINNERS' CIRCLE IN ROUND 9

Cooper Cooke has had an up-and-down 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The 23-year-old bareback rider finished with no score three times (Rounds 3, 4, 8). But on Friday night during Round 7, Cooke earned his second round win of the competition with an 86.75-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo's No Whiskey's Redlicious Meats.

"It feels good," Cooke said. "I mean, I'm fired up 100 percent."

Cooke's NFR earnings improved to $112,315 and the winning trip pushed him to eighth in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings with $254,909.

Redlicious Meats is the same horse Wacey Schalla matched for an 87.25-point ride to win Round 4 of the bareback riding.

"I was just being aggressive, trying to keep my hips on my rope, keep sending my feet back to my rope, and it felt good," Cooke said. "(I'm going to) just stick to the way I'm riding. I'm not here for average titles. I'm here for world titles.

"So, I'm just going to keep gunning for the round wins, like I've been trying to do. And I think that's the way it's going to have to be for me to get what I want."


STEER WRESTLER JUSTIN SHAFFER CAPTURES ROUND 9 WIN

Steer wrestler Justin Shaffer hasn't had the Wrangler NFR he envisioned but that changed on Friday night.

The Halvsille, Texas, cowboy captured his first round win of the NFR, taking the title with a 3.6-second run at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"Oh, it's amazing. Towards the end of the week, I hadn't had the Finals I really wanted. So, a round win in Round 9 is amazing, absolutely," Shaffer said.

Shaffer is fifth in the world standings with $242,362. He is seventh in the average with 37.0 seconds on eight head. He is riding his prized award-winning horse, Banker.

"The horsepower is so incredible here. And to have the horse of the year and be able to ride him, I just had to get the start," Shaffer said. "The steer was already good, and we improved our time just a little bit by getting our feet on the ground faster.

"I have nothing to lose. Max out as much as I can. Get it off post and then slow down, finish steers. It's been fun. Got a great crew here, and excited for them, and I'm glad we can finish it up at the end.


AGUILERA/PROFILI TAKE ROUND 9 TEAM ROPING WIN

Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili aren't counting themselves out of the average race just yet.

The team secured their third round win of the NFR Friday night in Round 9, adding another $36,668 to their ledgers and moving into sixth in the average.

"It feels nice to make a good run and come out on top," Aguilera said. "I had a great start. It let me stay close to the steer, keeping him on a short rope. I was able to turn him and my partner here, he doesn't miss."

It's still an uphill climb for the team, but they are happy with how they've performed overall. And they plan to take the same approach for the final round.

"We're just trying to repeat that run," Profili said. "Draw good, go at him again and see what happens."


HAVEN MEGED SNAGS ROUND 9 WIN

Haven Meged got over the hump in Round 9.

The 2019 PRCA World Champion tie-down roper made just three trips to the pay window before the penultimate round of the competition.

Meged made the most of his opportunity on a good draw in Round 9 with a 7.0-second run to win his first round of the 2025 NFR.

"It feels amazing that we finally won a round here. You know, it's been more than a week, and we haven't got anything done, so this is amazing, no doubt," Meged said. "I hit the start, and honestly, didn't think I got out, but it all worked. Honestly, the calf was just good. And, you know, there's a lot of good ropers in it. I guess it was my turn."

Meged sits fourth in the NFR average race at 81.7 seconds on nine head. He sits seventh in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings with $219,605. He's hoping for a similar outcome in Round 10.

"Just hopefully draw a good calf and win good money in the round, and, you know, maybe move up an average, maybe not," Meged said. "No doubt, just going to try to hold my spot."

Twice-defending PRCA World Champion Riley Webb finished third in the round to cash a $21,882 check. He leads the average at 74.5 seconds on nine head over John Douch (75.3 on nine head).

Webb sits atop the world standings with $439,626. He leads Shad Mayfield in the race for the gold buckle by $50,694.84.


QYNN ANDERSEN RECORDS FIRST ROUND WIN OF CAREER

Qynn Andersen is one of four Resistol Rookies vying for the title in bull riding for the first time in their careers.

The Resistol Rookie race through nine rounds was dominated by Bryce Jensen, who had ridden four bulls en route to a $76,000 lead. But Andersen put himself right back into contention Friday night in Round 9, matching Sutton Rodeos' Mr. Gold for 87 points, the round win and over $40,000 in earnings thanks to added ground money.

"It feels awesome," Andersen said. "Had a bit of a rough start and then finished off strong. So it feels great, no doubt."

It was the fifth qualified ride for the Koumala, Queensland, Australia, cowboy of the NFR. He finished as high as second in Round 6, but the first-place ride put him at fourth overall in the average with 427.5 points on five head.

"Same strategy every time," Andersen said of his mindset for Round 10. "My job doesn't change no matter the circumstances. I just have to go out there and try to win."

Ky Hamilton, the No. 2 bull rider in the world, is currently leading the average with 522 points on six head. He sits $90,812 behind Stetson Wright for the bull riding gold buckle.

Hamilton was bucked off Friday night and was helped out of the arena by Justin Sportsmedicine. According to the injury report, Hamilton suffered a right knee sprain and was placed in a brace. He will be reevaluated Saturday ahead of Round 10.


CARLEE OTERO SETS NEW ROUND RECORD EN ROUTE TO ROUND 9 WIN

Carlee Otero was on a mission Friday night.

The Perrin, Texas, cowgirl entered Round 9 of the NFR sixth in the world after a 23.93-second run in Round 8 left her out of the money and moving down in the average.

But she made a statement. Her 13.20-second run put her back into contention for the average title and set a new round record in the process.

"I didn't think that that was even in the cards for us, but she just keeps showing up," Otero said of her horse, Regina. "I just, you know, after (Thursday), and I think all of us girls talking over there today, we all felt like the ground was going to be a lot better. So, as you can see, most of us were back on our No. 1 (horses). Which was fantastic."

Defending champion Kassie Mowry maintains a lead in the world standings with $359,525 in total earnings. She also leads the average with a time of 123.24 seconds on nine rides.

2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Ninth round, Dec. 12
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Ninth round: 1. Cooper Cooke, 86.75 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo's No Whiskey's Redlicious Meats, $36,668; 2. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois and Rocker Steiner, 85.75, $25,431 each; 4. Dean Thompson, 85.25, $15,377; 5. Mason Clements, 85, $9,463; 6. (tie) Jess Pope and Jayco Roper, 84.5, $2,957 each; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Bradlee Miller, 84.25 each; 10. (tie) Sam Petersen and Cole Franks, 83.75; 12. Kade Sonnier, 83.5; 13. Garrett Shadbolt, 82.75; 14. Wacey Schalla, 75.5; 15. Jacek Frost, NS. Average leaders: 1. Jess Pope, 769 points on nine head; 2. Sam Petersen, 765.5; 3. Cole Franks, 760.5; 4. Kade Sonnier, 759.5; 5. (tie) Bradlee Miller and Rocker Steiner, 754.50 each; 7. Wacey Schalla, 754; 8. Garrett Shadbolt, 752.75; 9. Dean Thompson, 677 points on eight head; 10. Waylon Bourgeois, 672; 11. Tilden Hooper, 664.5; 12. Mason Clements, 589.25 points on seven head; 13. Jayco Roper, 575.75; 14. Cooper Cooke, 510.25 points on six head; 15. Jacek Frost, 485. World Standings: 1. Rocker Steiner, $446,616; 2. Sam Petersen, $348,805; 3. Jess Pope, $343,150; 4. Wacey Schalla, $286,275; 5. Kade Sonnier, $273,571; 6. Waylon Bourgeois, $268,907; 7. Cole Franks, $263,787; 8. Cooper Cooke, $254,909; 9. Dean Thompson, $246,224; 10. Bradlee Miller, $244,088; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, $202,805; 12. Mason Clements, $190,402; 13. Jacek Frost, $155,514; 14. Jayco Roper, $152,732; 15. Tilden Hooper, $139,951.

Steer Wrestling: Ninth round: 1. Justin Shaffer, 3.6 seconds, $36,668; 2. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Kyle Irwin and Will Lummus, 3.8, $22,080 each; 5. Jesse Brown, 3.9, $9,463; 6. Tucker Allen, 4.0, $5,914; 7. Scott Guenthner, 4.1; 8. Dakota Eldridge, 4.4; 9. Ty Erickson, 4.5; 10. Chance Howard, 4.7; 11. Tyler Waguespack, 5.1; 12. J.D. Struxness, 5.3; 13. Stetson Jorgensen, 5.6; 14. Rowdy Parrott, 6.6; 15. Gavin Soileau, NT. Average leaders: 1. Tucker Allen, 40.6 seconds on nine head; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 53.0; 3. J.D. Struxness, 58.2; 4. Stetson Jorgensen, 62.1; 5. Ty Erickson, 34.0 seconds on eight head; 6. Jesse Brown, 35.5; 7. Justin Shaffer, 37.6; 8. Scott Guenthner, 42.5; 9. Dakota Eldridge, 43.5; 10. Kyle Irwin, 49.2; 11. Bridger Anderson, 30.4 seconds on seven head; 12. Tyler Waguespack, 41.2; 13. Chance Howard, 46.6; 14. Gavin Soileau, 69.1; 15. Will Lummus, 24.6 seconds on six head. World Standings: 1. Will Lummus, $312,951; 2. Tucker Allen, $304,878; 3. Jesse Brown, $277,133; 4. Ty Erickson, $246,270; 5. Justin Shaffer, $242,362; 6. Bridger Anderson, $220,953; 7. J.D. Struxness, $212,545; 8. Rowdy Parrott, $208,486; 9. Stetson Jorgensen, $200,439; 10. Kyle Irwin, $197,345; 11. Tyler Waguespack, $193,138; 12. Dakota Eldridge, $169,218; 13. Scott Guenthner, $168,738; 14. Chance Howard, $141,659; 15. Gavin Soileau, $123,981.

Team Roping: Ninth round: 1. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, 3.4 seconds, $36,668 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.5, $28,980; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.8, $21,882; 4. Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 4.3, $15,377; 5. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 4.4, $9,463; 6. (tie) Luke Brown/Trey Yates and Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 8.8, $2,957 each; 8. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 14.2; 9. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, Riley Minor/Brady Minor, Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, Jake Smith/Douglas Rich and Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, NT. Average leaders: 1. Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 33.0 seconds on eight head; 2. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 40.1; 3. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 45.5; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 49.6; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 52.4 seconds on seven head; 6. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, 28.7 seconds on six head; 7. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 33.8; 8. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 34.2; 9. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 36.3; 10. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 39.2; 11. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 43.4; 12. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 24.6 seconds on five head; 13. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 33.2; 14. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 34.4; 15. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 38.2 seconds on four head. World Standings (headers): 1. Kolton Schmidt, $294,451; 2. Tanner Tomlinson, $276,606; 3. Kaleb Driggers, $274,737; 4. Clint Summers, $253,055; 5. Andrew Ward, $246,979; 6. Lightning Aguilera, $245,582; 7. Dawson Graham, $239,321; 8. Dustin Egusquiza, $237,829; 9. Tyler Wade, $224,632; 10. Cyle Denison, $199,907; 11. Jake Smith, $194,087; 12. Clay Smith, $193,921; 13. Derrick Begay, $188,030; 14. Luke Brown, $177,068; 15. Riley Minor, $172,186. World Standings (heelers): 1. Jonathan Torres, $286,185; 2. Junior Nogueira, $274,737; 3. Jade Corkill, $253,380; 4. Jake Long, $245,232; 5. Kaden Profili, $244,382; 6. Travis Graves, $242,717; 7. Dillon Graham, $239,321; 8. Levi Lord, $235,448; 9. Wesley Thorp, $224,632; 10. Lane Mitchell, $200,937; 11. Colter Todd, $185,678; 12. Coleby Payne, $184,724; 13. Douglas Rich, $183,337; 14. Trey Yates, $177,068; 15. Brady Minor, $172,186.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Ninth round: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 89.75 points on The Cervi Brothers' R. Watson's Mad Skills, $36,668; 2. Statler Wright, 88, $28,980; 3. Ryder Wright, 86.5, $21,882; 4. Ben Andersen, 86, $15,377; 5. Sage Newman, 85, $9,463; 6. Damian Brennan, 84.25, $5,914; 7. Q Taylor, 84; 8. Weston Patterson, 83.75; 9. Lefty Holman, 83; 10. Kade Bruno, 81; 11. Brody Wells, 80.75; 12. Zachary Dallas, 80.25; 13. Dawson Hay, 72; 14. Brody Cress, 65.5; 15. Zeke Thurston, NS. Average leaders: 1. Statler Wright, 776.75 points on nine head; 2. Lefty Holman, 767; 3. Ben Andersen, 759.25; 4. Zachary Dallas, 755.75; 5. Sage Newman, 753; 6. Brody Cress, 745.5; 7. Stetson Dell Wright, 700.25 points on eight head; 8. Ryder Wright, 694.75; 9. Zeke Thurston, 690.75; 10. Damian Brennan, 689; 11. Weston Patterson, 683; 12. Q Taylor, 678.75; 13. Kade Bruno, 672.75; 14. Brody Wells, 595.75 points on seven head; 15. Dawson Hay, 574.5. World Standings: 1. Statler Wright, $452,983; 2. Ryder Wright, $422,771; 3. Damian Brennan, $367,403; 4. Stetson Dell Wright, $361,633; 5. Zeke Thurston, $332,336; 6. Dawson Hay, $306,418; 7. Kade Bruno, $303,921; 8. Brody Cress, $295,069; 9. Zachary Dallas, $284,302; 10. Brody Wells, $269,064; 11. Lefty Holman, $268,425; 12. Sage Newman, $263,271; 13. Weston Patterson, $258,846; 14. Ben Andersen, $256,950; 15. Q Taylor, $188,853.

Tie-Down Roping: Ninth round: 1. Haven Meged, 7.0 seconds, $36,668; 2. Ty Harris, 7.1, $28,980; 3. Riley Mason Webb, 7.5, $21,882; 4. Tom Crouse, 7.6, $15,377; 5. (tie) Zack Jongbloed and Brushton Minton, 8.0, $7,688 each; 7. John Douch, 8.1; 8. Kyle Lucas, 8.9; 9. Dylan Hancock, 9.2; 10. Kincade Henry, 10.3; 11. Shad Mayfield, 11.6; 12. Marty Yates, 11.7; 13. Joel Harris, 17.5; 14. Shane Hanchey and Riley Pruitt, NT. Average leaders: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 74.6 seconds on nine head; 2. John Douch, 75.3; 3. Brushton Minton, 76.1; 4. Haven Meged, 81.7; 5. Zack Jongbloed, 84.7; 6. Dylan Hancock, 91.9; 7. Kincade Henry, 66.8 seconds on eight head; 8. Shad Mayfield, 68.9; 9. Joel Harris, 71.0; 10. Marty Yates, 81.9; 11. Tom Crouse, 76.5 seconds on seven head; 12. Ty Harris, 82.0; 13. Riley Pruitt, 50.2 seconds on six head; 14. Shane Hanchey, 63.0; 15. Kyle Lucas, 68.3. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $439,626; 2. Shad Mayfield, $388,931; 3. Kincade Henry, $320,916; 4. Joel Harris, $313,495; 5. John Douch, $265,107; 6. Dylan Hancock, $248,540; 7. Haven Meged, $219,605; 8. Tom Crouse, $213,697; 9. Ty Harris, $205,747; 10. Marty Yates, $201,701; 11. Riley Pruitt, $200,430; 12. Brushton Minton, $191,129; 13. Zack Jongbloed, $189,472; 14. Shane Hanchey, $171,851; 15. Kyle Lucas, $161,180.

Barrel Racing: Ninth round: 1. Carlee Otero, 13.20 seconds, $36,668; 2. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 13.43, $28,980; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 13.54, $21,882; 4. Emily Beisel, 13.55, $15,377; 5. Tricia Aldridge, 13.69, $9,463; 6. Kassie Mowry, 13.71, $5,914; 7. Hailey Kinsel, 13.73; 8. Katelyn Scott, 13.77; 9. Wenda Johnson, 13.98; 10. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.08; 11. (tie) Andrea Busby and Julie Plourde, 14.16 each; 13. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 14.22; 14. Tayla Moeykens, 14.27; 15. Halyn Lide, 19.53. Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, 123.24 seconds on nine head; 2. Julie Plourde, 125.68; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 126.27; 4. Tricia Aldridge, 127.97; 5. Andrea Busby, 130.54; 6. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 132.56; 7. Hailey Kinsel, 132.86; 8. Emily Beisel, 138.66; 9. Lisa Lockhart, 142.98; 10. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 144.94; 11. Halyn Lide, 145.83; 12. Wenda Johnson, 145.90; 13. Carlee Otero, 157.51; 14. Katelyn Scott, 110.19 on eight head; 15. Tayla Moeykens, 132.57. World Standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $359,525; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $308,096; 3. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, $296,113; 4. Carlee Otero, $288,498; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $270,955; 6. Emily Beisel, $266,427; 7. Lisa Lockhart, $258,126; 8. Tricia Aldridge, $251,132; 9. Halyn Lide, $209,025; 10. Katelyn Scott, $208,777; 11. Megan McLeod-Sprague, $198,577; 12. Anita Ellis, $156,992; 13. Andrea Busby, $154,927; 14. Tayla Moeykens, $152,561; 15. Wenda Johnson, $148,428; 16. Julie Plourde, $137,739.

Bull riding: Ninth round: 1. Qynn Andersen, 87 points on Sutton Rodeos' Mr. Gold, $40,512; 2. Mason Moody, 84.75, $32,824; 3. Tristen Hutchings, 83.75, $25,727; 4. T.J. Gray, 78.75, $19,221; 5. Hudson Bolton, Ky Hamilton, Bryce Jensen, Luke Mackey, Jesse Petri, Wacey Schalla, Jordan Spears, JR Stratford, Hayes Weight and Stetson Dell Wright, NS; 15. Rawley Johnson, Inj. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Ky Hamilton and T.J. Gray, 522 points on six head each; 3. Stetson Dell Wright, 444.25 points on five head; 4. Qynn Andersen, 427.5; 5. Luke Mackey, 427; 6. Bryce Jensen, 418.75; 7. JR Stratford, 350.75 points on four head; 8. Mason Moody, 346; 9. Tristen Hutchings, 344.5; 10. Hudson Bolton, 342.25; 11. Jesse Petri, 248 points on three head; 12. Jordan Spears, 227.75; 13. Wacey Schalla, 177 points on two head; 14. Hayes Weight, 86.75 points on one head; 15. Rawley Johnson, NS. World Standings: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $514,535; 2. Ky Hamilton, $423,723; 3. Wacey Schalla, $413,458; 4. Tristen Hutchings, $396,622; 5. T.J. Gray, $379,262; 6. Bryce Jensen, $293,902; 7. JR Stratford, $263,020; 8. Qynn Andersen, $253,307; 9. Mason Moody, $246,493; 10. Hudson Bolton, $217,866; 11. Hayes Weight, $196,365; 12. Luke Mackey, $193,866; 13. Jordan Spears, $176,627; 14. Jesse Petri, $167,683; 15. Rawley Johnson, $158,778.

All-Around: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $796,684; 2. Wacey Schalla, $570,014; 3. Dylan Hancock, $237,930; 4. Brushton Minton, $192,949; 5. Jake Clay, $142,536; 6. Paden Bray, $112,953; 7. Tanner Green, $101,314; 8. Seth Hall, $100,966; 9. Cole Clemons, $99,801; 10. Slade Wood, $98,651.