Stetson Wright Withdraws From 2023 NFR After Hamstring Injury

Stetson Wright, a seven-time world champion, has ended his 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo early due to a hamstring injury.

Photo courtesy of the PRCA

Stetson Wright, a seven-time world champion in all-around (2019-22), bull riding (2020, 2022), and saddle bronc riding (2021), has ended his 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo early.

During Round 2 on Saturday night, Dec. 9, Wright was bucked off Big Rafter's Wild Valley in the saddle bronc riding and sustained a right hamstring strain.

As a result, he chose not to attempt to ride Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Bloomer's Midnight Rider, the bull he drew. 

"He said he's out for the remainder of the rodeo. We filled out a doctor's release for the remaining eight rounds. He's not going to try and come back in two rounds or five rounds, he's through," Justin Sportsmedicine Medical Director Dr. Tandy Freeman told ProRodeo Sports News.

Wright is close to securing his fifth all-around world title, with $479,621 in earnings. Nelson Wyatt is second with $182,612, and he is currently competing at the NFR with heeler Jonathan Torres. Wyatt still has a slim mathematical chance to overtake Wright in the all-around standings.

Wright remains first in the bull riding world standings with $378,630, while Ky Hamilton is second with $321,780. 

Wright is also third in the saddle bronc riding standings with $261,626.