by Ted Harbin//Photo Courtesy of Nicole Stevens

There’s always been a spark of light on Rusty Wright’s face.

His eyes light up when he greets someone. The first time many saw it was at the 2015 National Finals Rodeo, his first of five qualifications. There had been hints of it before, when he won bronc riding titles at the 2012 and 2013 National High School Finals Rodeo. There was a taste in ’14, when he was the Rookie of the Year.

No, that first NFR was special. He won three rounds – Nights 4, 7 and 8 – and placed four other times. He closed out the year third in the world standings and announced his place among the sport’s elite. The next year, he was joined in Las Vegas by his world champion father, Cody, and his little brother, Ryder, who now owns three gold buckles.

Rusty Wright’s last NFR was at Globe Life Field during the 2020 excursion away from Sin City during the COVID pandemic. He won the opening go-round and placed five other nights enroute to a fifth-place finish in the average race. Since then, though, he’s been one of the rodeo’s most famous spectators.

Personal issues took over, as was documented in the Cowboy+ piece, “Rusty Wright: Hell and Back.” It offers a sobering glimpse of what it’s been like not only for Rusty but also his family. It’s an emotional ride, for sure, but it’s also a story of perseverance.

Like life, rodeo is a roller-coaster ride. The exhilaration of watching Ryder win three titles, Stetson earn 10, and Statler get his first is matched with missed chances and personal demons. Champions, though, build on the entire path, not just the detour, and that’s what Rusty Wright is doing this year.

As of last week, there were three Wrights atop the saddle bronc riding world standings, and Rusty held the edge. As of Aug. 24, he had earned just shy of $230,000 and held a $10,000 lead over Ryder, who sat in second place. Stetson was $2,000 behind Ryder, and all three make up the entire bronc riding contingent that had earned more than $200,000 so far this season.

Resilience is important, not only as a competitor but as a human being. Rusty is having a year to remember because of his ability to fight through adversity. A world championship has eluded him so far, but that hasn’t stopped him.

His brothers may already own rodeo’s gold, but Rusty Wright proves he has that championship mettle.