‘Back to the top’: How Stetson Wright made his grand return to the NFR
Summary
Stetson Wright — an eight-time world champion and five-time all-around winner — made a dramatic return to the National Finals Rodeo after 726 days sidelined by a lingering hamstring injury. Competing at the Thomas & Mack Center, Wright won three go-rounds and posted a second-place finish across the first two days, with top scores including a 90 in saddle bronc and high-89s in bull riding.
Through those first two nights Wright collected $155,435 in go-round earnings, moved into the lead in the all-around ($641,141) and took over the bull-riding standings. His comeback followed a careful year of recovery, rebuilding qualifications and riding as much as possible to regain form — advice he credits largely to his father, former world champion Cody Wright.
Key Points
- Wright returned to the NFR after 726 days out with a hamstring injury and immediately produced three go-round wins and one second-place finish in two nights.
- Top ride scores included 90 points in saddle bronc and 89.75/89.5 in bull riding; those performances brought $155,435 in early earnings.
- He leads the all-around standings ($641,141) and holds the top spot in bull riding after the opening two days.
- Wright missed a season, lost some automatic qualifications and had to re-enter many rodeos to regain his spot — a process he says taught him patience and focus.
- His return is being watched closely: he’s in contention for multiple titles (all-around and bull riding, with strong saddle bronc showings) as the NFR continues.
Why should I read this?
Because this is the kind of comeback that makes rodeo fans grin — Stetson Wright’s back, riding like he never left, and he’s already cashing big cheques and leading the leaderboard. If you like top-level rodeo fights, dramatic returns or just want the short version of why everyone’s talking about him, this is the quick hit you need.
Context and relevance
Wright’s return matters because it reshuffles title races at the NFR. As a multi-discipline superstar (saddle bronc and bull riding), his presence tightens the fight for the all-around crown and raises the competitive bar in bull riding. For followers of rodeo, this shifts betting lines, media narratives and the pressure on rivals like Wacey Schalla and Ky Hamilton.
More broadly, Wright’s comeback is a reminder of how injury, careful rehab and selective competition can alter a season — he lost automatic entries but rebuilt momentum through targeted rodeos, illustrating a common path elite athletes use to return from long layoffs.