GUYMON, Okla. – He comes from the most recognizable families in rodeo today, but Statler Wright is still building his resume.
He added another defining moment during Sunday’s final performance of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, riding Frontier Rodeo’s Watch Kitty for 87.5 points to win saddle bronc riding at Oklahoma’s only ProRodeo Hall of Fame event.
“I love coming here, because it’s always fun,” said Wright, 20, of Beaver, Utah. “The hospitality is really good, and it’s one of my favorite rodeos to come to always. The crowd is always good, and we get to get on good bucking horses.”
Statler Wright is the youngest of four sons sired by two-time saddle bronc riding world champion Cody Wright, and he’s the only one who has yet to taste the fruitful gains that come with qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. Oldest sibling Rusty was the first to qualify, followed by Ryder, who has added two bronc riding gold buckles to the family’s trophy case.
The third son of Cody and ShaRee is the hottest topic in ProRodeo. Stetson Wright is a 24 and already owns eight world championships: five straight all-around crowns, two bull riding titles and the 2021 saddle bronc riding gold buckle.
In his inaugural season in ProRodeo in 2022, Statler Wright finished 20th in the world standings and second in the race for Resistol Rookie of the Year. Last year, he moved up a spot to 19th. Only the top 15 on the money list at the end of each regular season earn the right to play for the biggest money in the game in December at Las Vegas.
He is giving himself a chance to join his legendary family, which also boasts of world champion bronc riders in uncles Jesse and Spencer. He has earned more than $75,000 this season, including the $3,920 he earned with his Sunday ride inside Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena.
“I’d watched my brother, Ryder, get on that horse, and he was 88 points on her in Cody, Wyoming, in 2018,” Wright said. “I asked Ryder what to go for as far as rein; he told me, and it worked out real good.”
The bronc rein is the cowboy’s best friend, and the right measurement makes the difference between money and dust. The rein provides a leverage point that allows the bronc rider the opportunity to spur the animal in rhythm with the horse’s bucking motion. For Wright, it added up to big bucks in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
“It was really fun,” he said. “She’s really strong. It was a lot of work, but I guess if you just keep things rolling, it’ll end up in your favor.
“It really gives me a boost, especially going into the summer. I’m real confident in my saddle and all my equipment, so I just want to keep things rolling.”
Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo
May 3-5
Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Jess Pope, on Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News, and Dean Thompson, on Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, 90 points, $3,149 each; 3. Kade Sonnier, 88.5, $2,020; 4. (tie) Garrett Shadbolt and Donny Proffit, 87.5, $1,069 each; 6. (tie) Cole Franks and Orin Larsen, 87, $535 each; 8. Kashton Ford, 86.5, $356.
Team roping: First round: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 6.4 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Paul David Tierney/Billie Jack Saebens, 6.7, $2,085; 3. (tie) Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves and Adam Rose/Gralyn Elkins, 6.8, $1,459 each; 6. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 6.9, $834; 7. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman and Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 7.0, $243 each. Second round: 1. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 6.9 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 7.4, $2,085; 3. Corben Culley/J.D. Yates, 7.5, $1,772; 4. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.6, $1,459; 5. Zack Woods/Gavin Foster, 7.7, $1,147; 6. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 7.9, $834; 7. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 8.4, $521; 8. (tie) Payden Emmett/Jace Davis and Britton Grinstead/Scott Daily, 8.5, $104 each. Third round: 1. Adam Rose/Gralyn Elkins, 5.9 seconds, $2,397; 2. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 6.3, $2,085; 3. Paul David Tierney/Billie Jack Saebens, 6.4, $1,772; 4. J7 Brand/Tyson Thompson, 6.7; 5. Aaron Tsinigine/Denton Dunning, 6.9; 6. Jake Cooper/Chase Graves, 7.1; 8. Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman, 7.5$365. Average: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 22.6 seconds on three runs, $3,596; 2. Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman, 24.3, $3,127; 3. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 27.4, $2,658; 4. J7 Brand/Tyson Thompson, 27.6, $2,189; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 27.8, $1,720; 6. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 28.1, $1,251; 7. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 32.4, $782; 8. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 33.6, $313.
Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Bridger Anderson, 4.0 seconds, $2,516; 2. Trell Etbauer, 4.1, $2,188; 3. Justin Shaffer, 4.4, $1,860; 4. (tie) Emmett Edler, Mason Couch and Jacob Edler, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. (tie) Justice Johnson and Cody Devers, 4.7, $383 each. Second round: 1. Jake Shelton, 3.8 seconds, $2,516; 2. Jake Nelson, 4.3, $2,188; 3. Quint Bell, 4.5, $1,860; 4. (tie) Cody Devers, Chase Crane and Darcy Kersh, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. Tyke Kipp, 4.8, $547; 8. (tie) Jace Melvin and J.D. Struxness, 4.9, $109 each. Third round: 1. Tyler Scheevel, 4.1 seconds, $2,516; 2. (tie) Ty Baurele and J.D. Struxness, 4.3, $2,024 each; 4. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Riley Westhaver, 4.4, $1,368 each; 6. Logan Kenline, 4.5, $875; 7. Travis Munro, 4.6, $547; 8. Cash Robb, 4.7, $219. Average: 1. Bridger Anderson, 14.5 seconds on two runs, $3,774; 2. Travis Munro, 14.6, $3,282; 3. Jake Nelson, 15.0, $2,790; 4. (tie) Ty Bauerle and J.D. Struxness, 15.3, $2,051 each; 6. Rowdy Parrott, 15.4, $1,313; 7. Tyke Kipp, 16.2, $8321; 8. Coy Johnston, 16.5, $328.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Statler Wright, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Watch Kitty, $3,920; 2. Traylin Martin, 86, $3,005; 3. Riggin Smith, 85.5, $2,221; 4. (tie) Brody Wells and Garrett Long, 85, $1,176 each; 6. Skinny Parsons, 84.5, $653; 7. (tie) Chase Brooks, Logan Cook, Zac Dallas and Jake Clark, 84; 7. Sam Martin, 82, $229 each.
Breakaway roping: First round: 1. (tie) Montana Brown and Amanda Coleman, 2.4 seconds, $1,963 each; 3. (tie) Tiffany Schieck and Jill Tanner, 2.5, $1,415 each; 5. (tie) Mataya Eklund, J J Hampton, Cheyanne McCartney, Brandi McDowell and Madison Outhier, 2.6, $475 each. Second round: 1. Shaya Biever, 2.3 seconds, $2,100; 2. Rylee George, 2.4, $2,826; 3. Martha Angelone, 2.7, $1,526; 4. (tie) Cassidy Boggs, Jill Tanner and Braylee Shepherd, 2.8, $1,004 each; 7. Aspen Miller, 2.9, $457; 8. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and McKenna Brennan, 91 each. Average: 1. (tie) Jill Tanner and Rylee George, 5.3 seconds on two runs, $2,945 each; 3. Shaya Biever, 5.5, $2,329; 4. Martha Angelone, 5.6, $1,918; 5. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Tiffany Schieck, 5.8, $1,301 each; 7. Cassidy Boggs, 6.0, $685; 8. Taylor Raupe, 6.1, $274.
Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Shad Mayfield, 7.1 seconds, $4,252; 2. Chet Weitz, 7.4, $3,697; 3. (tie) Marty Yates and Seth Hall, 7.5, $2,865 each; 5. (tie) Pecos Tatum and Cooper Martin, 7.6, $1,756 each; 7. Howard Green IV, 7.7, $924; 8. Cory Solomon, 7.8, $370. Second round: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 6.9 seconds, $4,252; 2. Cash Hooper, 7.4, $3,697; 3. Tanner Green, 7.5, $3,143; 4. (tie) Hunter Herrin and Colten Wallis, 7.6, $2,311 each; 6. Tuf Case Cooper, 7.8, $1,479; 7. (tie) Marcos Costa and Cooper Martin, 7.9, $647 each. Third round: 1. Cory Solomon, 7.1 seconds, $4,252; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.3, $3,697; 3. Marty Yates, 7.6, $3,143; 4. Marcos Costa, 7.8, $2,588; 5. Ty Harris, 8.1, $2,034; 6. Pecos Tatum, 8.2, $1,479; 5. (tie) Corbin James Fisher, Stetson Vest and Zack Jongbloed, 8.3, $431 each. Average: 1. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Marcos Costa, 23.9 seconds on three runs, $5,962 each; 3. Cooper Martin, 24.0, $4,714; 4. Ty Harris, 24.2, $3,882; 5. Pecos Tatum, 24.8, $3,050; 6. Chet Weitz, 26.5, $2,218; 7. Kincade Henry, 26.6, $1,387; 8. Zack Jongbloed, 27.5, $555.
Barrel racing: First round: 1. Dona Kay Rule, 16.99 seconds, $2,550; 2. Jymmy Kay Cox, 17.03, $2,186; 3. Wenda Johnson, 17.08, $1,822; 4. Leslie Smalygo, 17.09, $1,579; 5. Michelle Alley, 17.14, $1,214; 6. Shelley Morgan, 17.19, $972; 7. Carlee Otero, 17.21, $729; 8. Ivy Hurst, 17.22, $486; 9. Keyla Costa, 17.24, $364; 10. (tie) Natalie Bland and Loni Kay Yates, 17.25, $121 each. Second round: 1. Natalie Bland, 17.21 seconds, $2,550; 2. Shelley Morgan, 17.24, $2,186; 3. Dona Kay Rule, 17.25, $1,822; 4. Carlee Otero, 17.27, $1,579; 5. Loni Kay Yates, 17.30, $1,214; 6. Jymmy Kay Cox, 17.34, $972; 7 (tie). (tie) Stevi Hillman and Ashley Castleberry, 17.40, $607; 9. Cindy Smith, 17.41, $364; 10. Michelle Alley, 17.42, $243. Average: 1. Dona Kay Rule, 34.24 seconds on two runs, $2,550; 2. Jymmy Kay Cox, 24.37; 3. Shelley Morgan, 34.43, $1,822; 5. Carlee Otero, 34.48, $1,214; 6. Loni Kay Yates, 34.55, $972; 7. Michelle Alley, 34.56, $729; 8. Wenda Johnson, 34.56, $486; 9. Ashley Castleberry, 34.72, $364; 10. Ivy Hurst, 34.79, $243.
Steer roping: First round: 1. Quay Howard, 12.5 seconds, $1,863; 2. (tie) Thomas Smith and Bryce Davis, 12.7, $1,498 each; 4. Erich Rogers, 13.7, $1,134; 5. Clay Long, 14.0, $891; 6. Dan Fisher, 14.3, $648; 7. John E. Bland, 14.4, $405; 8. (tie) Tanner Duwe, Jake Clay and Logan Currie, 14.5, $54 each. Second round: 1. Brodie Poppino, 11.1 seconds, $1,863; 2. Clay Long, 11.4, $1,620; 3. Chet Herren, 12.1, $1,377; 4. Slade Wood, 12.4, $1,134; 5. Cameron Ritchey, 12.5, $891; 6. Connor McNeil, 12.7, $648; 7. Thomas Smith, 12.8, $405; 8. (tie) Billy Good and Blake Deckard, 13.0, $81 each. Third round: 1. Trenton Johnson, 10.4 seconds, $1,863; 2. Scott Snedecor, 10.9, $1,620; 3. Trent Sorey, 11.3, $1,377; 4. Brodie Poppino, 11.6, $1,134; 5. Tator Taton, 11.9, $891; 6. Roger Branch, 12.4, $648; 7. Paul David Tierney, 12.5, $405; 8. David Witcher, 12.6, $162. Fourth round: 1. (tie) Cole Patterson and Reo Lohse, 10.7 seconds, $1,741 each; 3. Thomas Smith, 10.9, $1,377; 4. Jake Clay, 11.1, $1,134; 5. J7 Bland, 11.3, $891; 6. Montana Parsons, 11.6, $648; 7. Tanner Stec, 11.9, $405; 8. (tie) Dee Kyler Jr., Coleman Proctor and Kim Ziegelgruber, 12.1, $54 each. Average: 1. Trenton Johnson, 54.4 seconds on four head, $3,726; 2. Clay Long, 56.1, $3,240; 3. Logan Currie, 57.4, $2,754; 4. Tanner Stec, 57.7, $2,268; 5. Zane Thompson, 63.1, $1,782; 6. Reo Lohse, 66.4, $1,296; 7. Scott Snedecor, 67.0, $810; 8. Slade Wood, 67.8, $324.
Bull riding: 1. J.R. Stratford, 89.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Moon Flower, $4,061; 2. (tie) Coy Pollmeier and Hayes Weight, 88, $2,707; 4. Cash Toews, 86.5, $1,489; 5. (tie) Colton Byram and Justin Houston, 85.5, $812; 7. Hudson Bolton, 84, $541; 8. Falcon McConnell, 83.5, $406.