All in the family at NFR
Most contestants in town for the National Finals Rodeo have just one chance to win a nightly go-round, or better yet leave Las Vegas with a world championship gold buckle.
But most contestants don’t have a bundle of siblings competing in the same event.
The Wright brothers aren’t like most contestants. There are seven boys among the 13 children brought into this world by William and Evelyn Wright. Six of those boys are saddle bronc riders in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Three of them – elder statesman Cody, 35, and twin 23-year-old brothers Jesse and Jake – qualified for this year’s NFR by finishing among the top 15 riders in the regular season.
So on any given night during this 10-day spectacle, that means the Wrights stand a 20 percent chance of winning the round. Heck, on Saturday night, it turned out even better than that: Jesse and Jake tied for first-place money.
And there’s a 20 percent chance a Wright will win the world title. Strength in numbers, you know?
"It’s awesome, man. It’s dang fun, I know that," Jesse said, while jokingly noting a whole herd of Wrights made the trek from Utah to the NFR. "It makes the family more motivated to come down and terrorize Vegas. We probably have 50 or so family members here. And family makes it so much more fun.
"You can come to Las Vegas and have good times by yourself, but just think how much more fun you can have with your whole family."
The Wrights’ achievement marked the first time since 1997 that three brothers qualified for the NFR in saddle broncs, matching the feat of Dan, Robert and Billy Etbauer, which is some pretty heady company.
"I think it’s great. You know, anybody who can do what the Etbauers did is awesome," Jake said. "Everyone looks up to the Etbauers. They are great people. I hope one day they can say the same about us."
Cody already has a pair of world titles, from 2008 and 2010, and as the oldest brother, he got the whole saddle bronc thing going in this family.
"It seems like when one of the older people in a family is doing something, the younger kids follow along and do it, too," Cody said, while giving proper credit to his parents. "I guess it’s just hard work and determination by the parents. I think it’s been pretty chaotic. Mom and Dad have been helping us rodeo for I don’t know how long.
"It’s a hectic lifestyle. But with a big family, you always have people to help you do the things you get to do, and to help you practice and excel."
At the same time, some of your toughest competition is under the same roof, which can sometimes get testy .
"With seven boys and six girls, you learn how to use your elbows at the dinner table," Cody said, adding the benefits at rodeos outweigh the negatives. "Yeah, you’ve got to compete against all them guys. But it’s great. If you can’t win, there’s nobody you’d rather see succeed than family. When you keep wins in the family, it’s pretty darned awesome."
Jesse led the world standings heading into the NFR and remains in first place. Jake was in fifth after four go-rounds, and Cody was in sixth.
Jesse would love to join Cody as a world champion. "I’m going in as No. 1, and I’m gonna go ride just like I did the last couple of years, try to win on each horse and have a ball while I’m doing it," he said.
His twin could have something to say about that, having moved up three spots since the NFR began.
"A lot of things can happen at the Finals. It’s an awesome opportunity, and it ain’t over," Jake said. "It’d sure be nice to win. I ain’t going for second. Every time I nod my head (to open the chute), I’m going for first."
Cody, who has a 17-year-old son working his way through the saddle bronc ranks, would love another gold buckle, but would be happy to see any Wright come away a world champion.
"When we go to rodeos, more often than not, we leave with someone doing good," he said.
Playing favorites with Cody WrightAge: 35
Home: Milford, Utah
NFR Qualifications: 10
Favorite Rodeo Moment: "Probably in 2003, when I was in my first NFR, in the 10th round on a horse called Mullin Hill. I won with a 91-point ride. It’s exciting to leave there with a bang."
Favorite Rodeo Superstition: "The one I think is the funniest is to never put your hat on the bed. I don’t follow it. Too many kids just come in and throw their hat on the bed. I know a lot of cowboys who never put their hat on the bed. But life is too short to be too superstitious."
Favorite NFR Moment: "Winning my first world title, in 2008, was a pretty unbelievable moment. It was something I worked for my whole life, that I dreamed of, and it finally happened. It makes you realize dreams do come true."
