Utah cowboy Stetson Wright matches his arena record with a ride of 89 points at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Jessica Nix/PRCA Photographer
Stetson Wright matches his own arena record in saddle bronc
CORTEZ – With all the buildup around the powerhouse Wright family competing in the 95th Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Military Night on Friday night, it was hard to imagine that their performance could somehow outshine the lofty expectations.
Leave it to Stetson Wright to do just that.
The 25-year-old from Beaver, Utah, currently sitting No. 1 in the PRCA all-around cowboy standings put together an eight-second master class on his Powder River Rodeo saddle bronc, turning in a stadium record score of 89 points to virtually assure him another UMR title. His score matched his record from two years ago, and in speaking with UMR public relations director Madelaine Gaskey, he credited the Cortez crowd for his achievement.
“There's nothing quite like competing at the Ute Mountain Roundup,” Wright told Gaskey after his record-tying ride. “This crowd, this atmosphere – it brings out the best in every competitor. When you can match an arena record, especially one you set yourself, it's pretty special.”
Stetson joined his family of Ryder, Spencer, and Statler in the Montezuma County Fairgrounds to the delight of the massive crowd, signing autographs after their showcase rides.
The Wright brothers swept the top three spots in the saddle bronc standings at the night’s end. Ryder finished second with a score of 86.5 while Statler made a run of 83.5 to finish in a tie for third with Riggin Smith.
One other event saw a leadership change on Day Two, as Jacoby Campbell took the top spot in the bareback riding standings with a ride of 78.5.
Former UMR champion Chase Black made a 4.6 second run in steer wrestling to find himself in a tie for second, while Janae Todacheenie moved into third place in breakaway roping with a ride of 2.8 seconds.
Stetson Wright from Beaver, Utah holds on tight during bull riding, the final event of the evening at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Regan Lyons from Snyder, Texas faces off against bronc Wild Child for the bareback riding event at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Rob Yates Memorial Golf Tournament continues annual tradition
For the 12th straight year, Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez hosted the Rob Yates Memorial Golf Tournament alongside the Ute Mountain Roundup, with proceeds from the tournament helping to contribute to the UMR committee’s efforts to put on one of the premier sporting events in the Four Corners.
The “cowboy golf” format of the tournament allowed participants to showcase their skills in non-golf events like washers, poker and steer roping in order to help lower their team scores. Separated into three flights on Friday morning, the celebratory atmosphere brought out plenty of laughs in the lead up to Friday night’s excitement at the rodeo grounds.
The quartet of Jake and Theresa Dale, Tyler Underwood and Jakob Rudosky won the championship flight, while the foursome of Clay and Doug Rathjen, Kyle Dunton and Jon Pete won the first flight. Cory and Kelsi Bramwell, Calvin Brevik, and Kyle Roberts took the second flight in the tournament.
The final night of the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo will celebrate FFA Night, with action beginning at 7 p.m. from the Montezuma County fairgrounds.
Sabrina Katcham from Yeso, New Mexico prepares to round a barrel at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Stands were packed at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds for the second night of the Ute Mountain Roundup.
Regan Lyons from Snyder, Texas faces off against bronc Wild Child for the bareback riding event at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Chisum Docheff from Mead digs his heels into the dirt as his steer tries to break away at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Tydon Tsosie from Crownpoint, New Mexico, looks to wrangle his steer during the steer wrestling event at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Seven-year-old Lane Bates holds tight to his sheep during the mutton bustin’ event at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Payson Wilbanks, 6, clings to her sheep for Friday night’s mutton bustin’ competition at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Kyon Cluff from Florence, Arizona, ropes a steer during the team roping event at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Will Woodfin (left) from Marshall, Texas, and Cory Kidd from Statesville, North Carolina, work together to bring in their steer during team roping at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Creighton Curley from Allentown, Arizona, balances on bucking bronco Wingman at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Garrett Long from Valentine, Nebraska battles against bronc Chuck Another Card at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
The Frazier Shows carnival coincides with the rodeo on the other side of the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
Tuf Cooper from Decatur, Texas, holds down his calf for the tie-down roping event at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Brittney Hawley from Surprise, Arizona, races to her second barrel during the barrel racing event at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Stetson Wright from Beaver, Utah holds on tight during bull riding, the final event of the evening at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Stetson Wright from Beaver, Utah holds on tight during bull riding, the final event of the evening at the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Friday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
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