Newcomer Rusty Wright adds to family legacy

Over the past dozen years or so at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, there's one thing you could pretty much always say: If there's not a Wright, there's something wrong.

It's no different this year, as 2014 world saddle bronc champion Spencer Wright qualified 10th among the top 15 riders and will defend his title, and brother Jake Wright qualified eighth as he continues pursuit of his first crown.

But they'll have to overcome the newest Wright in town — their nephew Rusty, son of two-time world champ Cody Wright, who is Jake and Spencer's oldest brother in a family tree full of bronc-busting branches.

Rusty, in just his second full year on the PRCA tour, entered the 2015 WNFR ranked second in the world, with regular-season earnings of $115,986, less than $4,000 behind first-place Cody DeMoss. Rusty got to this point a little behind his ambitious schedule, but he's thrilled, nonetheless.

"My goal last year was to win the worlds," he said, alluding to a 2014 season in which he won rookie of the year honors in saddle broncs, but finished 30th on the money list and missed the WNFR. "So this year isn't a real surprise. That's what I was going for, that's what everybody's going for. This year looks a little better."

Indeed it does. But that's not to say that the 20-year-old rider didn't learn from the disappointment of 2014.

"I think last year I was putting too much pressure on myself," he said. "This year, I relaxed, had more fun, drew good horses. Everything is going really good."

He got an early jump on 2015 season with a big win at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, one of his 13 outright victories this year, and he split first in two other rodeos. The 2012 and 2013 national high school saddle bronc champ quickly transitioned his skill set to the sport's highest level.

His dad Cody, a 12-time WNFR qualifier who won the gold buckle in 2008 and 2010, has enjoyed Rusty's speedy ascension.

"It's awesome to see him doing this. Heck, I couldn't be prouder of him," said Cody, who almost certainly would have joined Rusty and been back for a 13th consecutive year if not for a shoulder injury that ruined the first half of his 2015 season. "He went out and rode like you're supposed to, and hell, I'm happy for him."

But Cody was hardly shocked.

"It's not a surprise to me. He's rode really good, practiced really hard," Cody said. "It's always been his dream. He's a very talented kid, he's got a lot of style. How far he goes is just up to him."

Rusty, though, knows his pedigree has certainly helped him get where he is. Jesse Wright, another of Cody's younger brothers and the 2012 world champion, just missed qualifying this year, finishing 19th in the standings. Cody was 20th. Jake, Jesse's twin brother, is back for his fourth straight WNFR and finished second in the world in 2013. And of course, Spencer is back at the Thomas & Mack Center, aiming for a second world title.

"That's one thing I've always said is a huge advantage for me," Rusty said. "All those guys have been there, done that. I wouldn't be where I am right now without them, my dad especially. Watching him do all them things, and staying humble in the way he carries himself, it helped me a ton. Not a lot of kids have a dad like that."

Rusty, who's now fourth in the world standings at $161,948, certainly expects his dad's insights to help over the course of this 10-day rodeo.

"We talk, and he keeps reminding me that it's just another rodeo. Keep it simple, don't do anything different than I've done all year," Rusty said, adding that's easier said than done with him right in the thick of the title chase. "It's kind of an unrealistic kind of feeling, but hopefully it'll sink in and I'll get the job done. Ride every horse, and let the chips fall where they may."

As excited as Rusty and Cody are, both wish they could be competing against each other this week. Cody suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the seventh round of last year's WNFR, after cashing in two go-rounds. He still finished ninth in the world, despite missing the last three go-rounds, but he was on the shelf the first half of this season.

"I'm not gonna lie. I wish I was going," said Cody, who is looking on from the arena stands with a multitude of family members. "It really would've been fun to ride with him. There was a lot of talk about it. But I never thought I'd be going to the Finals against my son. It could've happened if I would've had a healthy season.

"But I'll just enjoy it however I can. It'll be real satisfying."

Rusty is hoping father and son can make it happen next year.

"I really wanted my first NFR to be with him there, too," Rusty said. "When I was little, at my dad's first NFR (in 2003), I didn't even know anything about it. I've never seen the NFR without a Wright in it. This is what we all do and what we've all always wanted to do. It's the family business.

"I would've loved having my dad competing, but I'll make the most of it, and next year, hopefully we'll both end up making it."