In Inside Rodeo: The Saddle Bronc Riding Edition, we break down the dominance of Ryder Wright, Zeke Thurston, and Stetson Wright, three of the most elite saddle bronc riders in the world.

Ryder Wright is on a historic run. He could become the first rider this decade to win three World Titles, set a new record with 65 rides scoring 85+ points in a single season, and earned $228,000 at last year’s NFR, winning four rounds after missing his second horse.

Zeke Thurston remains unmatched in consistency and peak performance. He’s the only rider to win both the world title and NFR average in the same year back-to-back seasons, which he did in 2022 and 2023. His four World Titles and three NFR Averages put him in elite company, and he’s still chasing a fifth world championship.

Stetson Wright continues to impress in the bronc riding, despite seemingly becoming known more and more as a bull rider . He’s the second-highest earner in PRCA history with $3.5 million, averages over 85 points per ride on his broncs when healthy. He will soon be the second PRCA athlete ever to clear $4 million in career earnings.

These three riders define the current era of saddle bronc riding and set the stage for an electric NFR showdown.