{"id":40080,"date":"2022-06-10T17:40:49","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T23:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/world-champ-stetson-wright-highlights-cortez-rodeos-opening-night\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:53:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:53:28","slug":"world-champ-stetson-wright-highlights-cortez-rodeos-opening-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/world-champ-stetson-wright-highlights-cortez-rodeos-opening-night\/","title":{"rendered":"World champ Stetson Wright highlights Cortez rodeo\u2019s opening night"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Stetson
Stetson Wright rides Big Papa on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Reigning all-around world champion and current leader in the bull riding world standings Stetson Wright highlighted the opening day of the Ute Mountain Roundup on Thursday at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.<\/p>\n

The bulls from Powder River Rodeo got the best of the first eight bull riders of the in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association\u2019s opening performance, bucking most of them off in four seconds or less. Brandon McCassie of Phoenix, Arizona, had a good early effort, but his bull threw him with a spinning kick at the 5.38-second mark.<\/p>\n

\"Brandon
Brandon McCassie tries to get away from the bull that threw him Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Wright, a five-time world champion at just age 22, was the last cowboy to ride, and he was up to the challenge. Wright hopped on a bull named Big Papa and stayed on while it spun and bucked until the 8-second buzzer to score an 85-point ride to grab the early lead. He\u2019ll have to wait until after the performances Friday and Saturday to see if the score holds up.<\/p>\n

\"Tom
Tom Patrick III rides a bull Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Wright\u2019s older brother Ryder, 24, also competed Thursday in the saddle bronc competition. Ryder, a two-time world champion, said it was the brothers\u2019 first time in Cortez.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad does the entries, and I go where he tells us, but I\u2019m sure Powder River being here is a big part of it,\u201d Ryder said.<\/p>\n

He said the quality of the stock at events is \u201chuge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHalf of the score comes the horse,\u201d Ryder said. \u201cThe caliber of horses makes our jobs a little easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

The UMR rodeo committee did a nationwide search to find stock to elevate the rodeo, announcer Jody Casper said Thursday, and it settled on Powder River Rodeo, based in Riverton, Wyoming.<\/p>\n

Hank Franzen and his wife, Lori, started the business from scratch 39 years ago and now have roughly 400 animals that compete. \u201cIt\u2019s all genetics \u2014 putting it together and trying to find the right mix,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Kory
Kory Hart competes on a horse from Powder River Rodeo in the bareback competition Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

They do blood and DNA tests, but he said the biggest thing that has changed over the years is the amount of data they now have. They also treat the animals well, as seen by their shiny coat and lean bodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey come first, they\u2019re like our kids,\u201d Franzen said. \u201cWe treat them like regular athletes on a football team.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said they brought 56 bucking horses to Ute Mountain Roundup, and each animal will compete just once. \u201cWe want them to have their best day and feel good about it,\u201d Franzen said, noting that each horse competes 10 to 12 times a year.<\/p>\n

Franzen, however, doesn\u2019t root for his animals to buck off their cowboys.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need a full eight seconds; it\u2019s the horse and cowboy added together,\u201d he said. \u201cBut if he\u2019s not going to get a high score, then a buck off comes second.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of their top horses they brought to Cortez is an athletic 1,400-1,500 pound mare named Bet the Ranch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can almost walk under her kick, but she\u2019s honest and straightaway,\u201d Franzen said. \u201cShe\u2019s been awful, awful good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryder rode Bet the Ranch on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen her a couple times, and my uncle has had good luck on her,\u201d Ryder said. \u201cI\u2019m super-excited to see her next to my name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryder was the last saddle bronc competitor. Kolt Ferguson scored a 75-point ride to start the competition. His lead held until Clayson Hutchings scored an 83-point ride on Bar Time.<\/p>\n

The stage was set for Ryder at the end, but unfortunately for the cowboy, Bet the Ranch was able to shake him loose and buck him off.<\/p>\n

\"Kyle
Kyle Charley competes in bareback riding on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The rodeo began with arguably the most physically demanding event: bareback riding.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes a lot on our bodies,\u201d said competitor Kyle Charley. \u201cBut the more horses we get on, the better we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charley, who\u2019s from Lukachukai, Arizona, about an hour south of Cortez, has competed at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds in amateur rodeos and started his PRCA career there. He won in 2015 and 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a couple years since I\u2019ve been to this rodeo. I\u2019d like to win it again,\u201d Charley said. \u201cI\u2019ve got a horse I can do it on if I can do my part.\u201d<\/p>\n

The keys to bareback riding, he said, is everything from staying back, having fast feet and holding on tight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t do that, they basically beat you up,\u201d Charley said.<\/p>\n

Thursday, Charley rode Big River on Thursday and held on for a 73.5-point ride, but finished sixth on the day. Keenan Hayes of hayden, Colorado, took the early lead in the event with an 84.5-point ride on Raspberry Tea.<\/p>\n

\"Jace
Jace Logan of Yampa, Colorado, competes in steer wrestling Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

In the steer wrestling competition, Mancos football fans might have noticed a familiar name and face.<\/p>\n

Jace Logan of Yampa, Colorado, who played football at Soroco High School, visited Mancos High School for the state quarterfinals against the Bluejays in 2017. He left that game with a 40-0 victory after he exploded with 430 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns.<\/p>\n

\"Jace
Jace Logan competes in steer wrestling on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

On Thursday, Logan was second on the steer wrestling leaderboard with a time of 4.8 seconds.<\/p>\n

Kalane Anders leads steer wrestling at 4.1 seconds, and Justin Simon was third at 5.3.<\/p>\n

In the team roping competition, Brooks Dahozy and Seth Hall had a 5.8-second performance to take the early lead.<\/p>\n

\"Leia
Leia Pluemer competes in barrel racing on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

New Mexico cowgirl Leia Pluemer took the lead in the barrel racing just like one year ago during the first performance. The 2019 UMR barrel racing champion completed the cloverleaf pattern in 17.37 seconds but will have to wait until Saturday to see if she can reclaim her UMR champion title.<\/p>\n

\"Wyatt
Wyatt Uptain competes in tie-down roping on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

In tie-down roping, Josh Jennings is the early lead after lassoing his steer, flipping it and tying his feet together in 11.8 seconds.<\/p>\n

And then Stetson Wright ended the night by showing why he\u2019s the top guy in the rodeo world at the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like my brothers to win,\u201d Ryder said. \u201cIf I can\u2019t win, I want it to be them.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also said winning smaller rodeos like the one in Cortez can be the difference in winning a world title or not.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery penny counts toward the world title race,\u201d Ryder said, noting that Stetson won last year by about $1,200 and he won one of his titles by about the same amount. \u201cAt the end of the year, these play just as big of a part as the big rodeos do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other notable contestants scheduled to compete on Friday and Saturday include team ropers Derrick Begay and Trey Yates as well as barrel racer Shali Lord.<\/p>\n

Leaders after Thursday\u2019s competition:<\/div>\n

Bareback riding leaders: 1. Keenan Hayes, 84.5 points on Raspberry Tea; 2. Shawn Perkins, 78.5; 3. Mitchell Parham, 77; 4. Tristan Hansen, 76.5; 5. Matt Tuni, 74; 6. Kyle Charley, 73.5.<\/p>\n

Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Kalane Anders, 4.1 seconds; 2. Jace Logan, 4.8; 3. Justin Simon, 5.3; 4. Brock Powell, 5.7; 5. Brady Buum, 6.0; 6. Wyatt Lindsay, 14.0.<\/p>\n

Team roping leaders: 1. Brooks Dahozy\/Seth Hall, 5.8 seconds; 2. Howie Hutchings\/Scotty Lauaki, 6.4; 3. (tie) Chaz Kananen\/Colby Siddoway and Cody Snow\/Wesley Thorp, 6.6 each; 5. Cory Kidd V\/Lane Mitchell, 6.8; 6. Dustin Egusquiza\/Travis Graves, 9.9.<\/p>\n

Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Clayson Hutchings, 83 points on Powder River Rodeo\u2019s Bar Time; 2. Kolt Ferguson, 75; 3. J.W. Meiers, 74.5; 4. Jacob Coates, 68; no other qualified rides.<\/p>\n

Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Josh Jennings, 11.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Zack Ekstrom and Clint Robinson, 12.8 each; 4. Wyatt Uptain, 13.7; 5. Todd Brown, 16.6; 6. Jeremiah Peek, 20.6.<\/p>\n

Barrel racing leaders: 1. Leia Pluemer, 17.37 seconds; 2. Kelly Yates, 17.55; 3. Christina Gould, 17.70; 4. Tara Seaton, 17.72; 5. Kassidy Dennison, 17.82; 6. Andrea Busby, 17.85.<\/p>\n

Bull riding leaders: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 85 points on Powder River Rodeo\u2019s Big Papa; no other qualified rides.<\/p>\n

Total payoff: $65,236. Stock contractor: Powder River Rodeo.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Thursday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ute
Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo on Thursday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Leeann
Leeann Ridley competes in barrel racing on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Arviso
Arviso James rides a bull on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Thomas
Thomas Patrick III rides a bull on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ky
Ky Hamilton rides a bull on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lorie
Lorie Diodosio competes in barrel racing on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Amber
Amber Moore competes in barrel racing on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kelcey
Kelcey McNamee competes in barrel racing on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kory
Kory Hart competes in bareback riding on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Matt
Matt Tuni competes in bareback riding on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Shawn
Shawn Perkins competes in bareback riding on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Darnell
Darnell Johnson competes in tie-down roping on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Weston
Weston Crane competes in tie-down roping on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Roy
Roy Pacheco competes in tie-down roping on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Keylie
Keylie Tatum makes her way around a barrel while competing in barrel racing on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Matt
Matt Merritt, a professional bullfighter and entertainer, is seen inside the barrel after a bull hit it on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Stetson
Stetson Wright tries to get off after successfully riding Big Papa on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Big
Big Papa falls on Stetson Wright after he successfully rode the bull on Thursday night during the Ute Mountain Roundup rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

92nd Ute Mountain Roundup spurs into action Thursday, will conclude Saturday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[21,28,60,29,3710,937,2295],"naviga_topic":[],"class_list":["post-40080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-cortez","tag-headlines","tag-montezuma-county","tag-newsletter","tag-professional-rodeo-cowboys-association","tag-rodeo","tag-ute-mountain-roundup-rodeo"],"acf":[],"author_name":"dh_admin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40080"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84539,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40080\/revisions\/84539"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40080"},{"taxonomy":"naviga_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/naviga_topic?post=40080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}