Written by: Siri Stevens

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ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – The Wright family’s domination of saddle bronc riding at seemingly all levels of the sport is well documented, but 17-year-old Rusty took the first step toward some bragging rights of his own with a 74-point ride in the third performance of the 65th annual National High School Finals Rodeo on Monday evening at the Sweetwater Events Complex.

National High School Finals Rodeo

July 15, 2013

Sweetwater Events Complex, Rock Springs, Wyo.

Performance 3 Unofficial Results

For more information, call Kyle Partain at 719-534-0330 or Email kyle@nhsra.org 

Wright to the Lead

The defending champion in bronc riding, Rusty is looking to become the first in his distinguished family to win back-to-back national titles in high school rodeo. The first step was just arriving in Rock Springs, which he did all of 15 minutes before check-in closed on Sunday after claiming the novice saddle bronc riding title at the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede the day before. While he competed in front of packed houses at both rodeos, the Stampede packs just a few more people into its house. Not that it matters to Rusty.

“Everyone is just another rodeo,” Rusty said. “I look at them all the same, whether there are 10 people in the stands or 30,000. It’s just me and the horse, and me trying to ride the best I can no matter where the rodeo is.”

Rusty’s large family of bronc riders – which includes two uncles who were NHSRA national champions – came in handy when he saw his draw for Monday night in Rock Springs.

“My Uncle Jake was 84 on him in Corpus Christi, Texas,” Rusty said. “I just talked to him and there were a couple of guys here who said he was a nice hopper. I knew the rein and that’s about all you need to know. It’s kind of a relief to be sitting where I need to be sitting in the first round. Now, I just need to make two more good rides and hopefully take it home again.”