SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Reigning PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc rider Statler Wright was on the outside looking in to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Tractor Supply Company.
That’s not the case anymore thanks to his electric performance at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup presented by Texas Precious Metals.
Wright capped off his memorable weekend with a 90.75-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Ozark in the Final 4 round Sunday afternoon at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. His ride was an arena record.
“I saw that horse in Cheyenne this year and it was really one that stuck out to me,” said Wright, 23. “I don’t know how high she was jumping (Sunday) but it felt like she could have jumped over the moon. I knew that horse was going to buck and she did for sure. When she got into the fence over there, with the four guys who were in the short round, I knew I couldn’t bobble coming off the fence. When she hit the fence, I put my foot up there to get a hold of her. I was just gunning for it.
“My foot went through the fence on the other side and then when she kicked, she shoved my foot all the way up into the chute. Thank God we didn’t break anything. When I hit the ground, I went like shoulder, ribs, it was a terrible get off and I had a terrible hat throw, but the ride made up for everything else.”
He is correct.
Wright earned $34,000 for his final victorious ride and left Sioux Falls after earning $35,566. That financial windfall couldn’t have come at a better time for Wright as he entered Sunday 18th in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings with $125,617 and trailed Damian Brennan, who was in the No. 15 spot by $23,171.
Wright should move all the way up into the top 12 as the regular season gets ready to end, Wednesday, Sept. 30.
“This is amazing,” Wright said. “I feel like I’m beating it into everybody, and I have always believed in God, but I have never relied on God and this year he put me through the ringer, and it took me giving it all to him and letting him take over my life. It has helped me in rodeo as you guys can see. I feel like I’m riding better right now than when I won the world title. I feel like I’m better at home with my little girl and my wife.
“I’m just excited to get back to my gear bag and call my mom and my dad and my wife and my little girl and tell them to pack their bags, let’s go back to Vegas.”
Wright wasn’t alone in celebrating a championship and the $34,000 payday.
Bareback Riding | Clayton Biglow
Clayton Biglow needed something bigger than the three-way tie sitting at 89.25 points, and he delivered it when the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup was on the line. Biglow matched up for 90.75 points in the championship round in Sioux Falls, S.D., breaking the deadlock between two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Jayco Roper, 2023 PRCA World Champion Keenan Hayes and 2022 PRCA World Champion Jess Pope to claim the title.
“There wasn’t a 90 out there, and I knew I had the horse to do it on,” Biglow said.
The win on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Ranch & Crow carried even more significance for Biglow after battling through a stretch in which he admitted his confidence had taken a hit.
“Man, it feels so good, you have no idea,” Biglow said. “My confidence has been low. This is one of the greatest feelings I have ever had.”
Steer Wrestling | Dalton Massey
Dalton Massey left little room for anyone to catch him in Sioux Falls. Massey stopped the clock in 3.7 seconds in the championship round to secure his second Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup title, capitalizing on another opportunity aboard Telle Em PYC, also known as Banker.
“I can’t thank Justin Shaffer enough for letting me ride Banker,” Massey said. “He gave me an opportunity to win first and I was able to capitalize.”
The championship title added another Governor’s Cup championship to Massey’s résumé after claiming the crown in 2024 and delivered one of the biggest paydays available during the closing days of the PRORODEO regular season. For Massey, returning to the top in Sioux Falls carried plenty of significance.
“This is huge,” Massey said. “What a great rodeo, and thank you guys for putting it on and to everyone for showing up.”
Team Roping | Tryan/Northcott
Tyler Tryan and Nicky Northcott saved one of their fastest runs for the championship round in Sioux Falls, stopping the clock in 4.4 seconds to win the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup.
The victory came with December already secured for the team after qualifying for their first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Sioux Falls gave Tryan and Northcott an opportunity to perform in a high-stakes setting before heading to Las Vegas, with a major payday and Governor’s Cup title determined by one final run.
For Northcott, that moment called for the same aggressive approach that carried the team throughout the season.
“It just comes from my dad, and it’s bred into me to be fearless,” Northcott said. “I am pumped up to be here and rope with one of my good friends and excited to be here.”
Tryan credited their success throughout the season to his faith.
“It’s been a great year, and I just have to give all the glory to God because without Him, we cannot do any of this,” Tryan said.
With a 4.4-second run and a Governor’s Cup championship secured, Tryan and Northcott added another major win to their season before turning their attention to their first Wrangler NFR.
Tie-Down Roping | Haven Meged
Haven Meged closed his regular season with a 7.7-second run when the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup title was on the line, finishing ahead of Cory Solomon’s 8.8 and Tyler Calhoun’s 9.3 in the championship round.
Meged entered the box with the situation unfolding in front of him, but his focus remained on making his own run while keeping an eye on an injured fellow competitor, Riley Webb.
“I’m just trying to keep up with that guy right there,” Meged said. “He is the best in the world, and I hope he’s okay.”
The Governor’s Cup victory put another major result on a season that included plenty of milestones for Meged, both inside and outside the arena.
“It’s been a great year and finished strong right here,” Meged said. “I’m headed to Vegas and it’s amazing.”
Bull Riding | Noah Lee
Noah Lee’s rookie season campaign added another major result in Sioux Falls.
Lee delivered 91 points in the championship round on New West Rodeo Productions Cowboy Cool to win the bull riding title at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, continuing a season that has pushed the rookie into territory few first-year competitors reach. On a weekend loaded with many of the best bull riders in the PRCA, Lee finished it with the score everyone else had to chase.
“It’s always fun,” Lee said. “Riding with the Lord is always fun. Being with the Lord is always fun and you know He loves you and He loves us all, so no matter what you do, you’re always having fun.”
Asked about the path that brought him through Sioux Falls, Lee pointed to his faith rather than any predetermined plan.
“I don’t really know my path, God knows my path and I just followed it,” Lee said. “I didn’t think I was going to do very good here anyway, and I came here and trusted God and He put the ability in me to ride these bulls and I love it.”
Breakaway roper Josie Conner stopped the clock in 1.7 seconds to capture the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup title, while Andrea Busby turned in a 14.02-second run to secure the barrel racing championship.
John Deere Top Gun Award
Three athletes finished the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup with matching numbers at the top of the weekend’s earnings list.
Steer wrestler Dalton Massey, bull rider Noah Lee and bareback rider Clayton Biglow each earned $46,533 in Sioux Falls to share the John Deere Top Gun Award.
Each took a different route to the same payday. Massey clocked a 3.7-second run to secure his second Governor’s Cup title, Lee posted 91 points to add another major win to his rookie season, and Biglow broke a three-way tie at 89.25 with a 90.75-point ride when the bareback championship came down to the final round.
When the final checks were calculated, all three walked away from Sioux Falls with $46,533 and a share of the John Deere Top Gun honor.
Top Stock
Here are the winners of the top stock from the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup presented by Texas Precious Metals: bareback riding horse Ranch & Crow of Championship Pro Rodeo, saddle bronc horse Ozark of Smith Pro Rodeo and bull Guess Who of Championship Pro Rodeo.
NOTES: Reigning three-time PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Riley Webb advanced to the Final 4 round Sunday but suffered an injury during his final run.
Webb dislocated his left shoulder during his run in the final 4. Thankfully, the sports medicine team was able to put it back in place, and he’s doing well.
He will follow up with Dr. Tandy Freeman for a full evaluation.
–PRCA