CODY, Wyo., July, 1, 2026 — Stetson Wright knows what it is like to win in the bull riding at the Cody Stampede, but this year, the Beaver, Utah, cowboy is making a statement in the saddle bronc riding.
Wright has been struggling with injuries and has been taking it easy since he rode at the Reno Rodeo a few days ago. And, he’s elected not to get on bulls, but is getting on in the saddle bronc riding to see how it goes. It’s going well.
On Wednesday night at Stampede Park, he got on the Double J Rodeo Company Horse named Moon Valley. If he felt any pain during the eight second ride, no one knew it. When the judges added up their scores, he had an 89.5 by his name and is now in the lead. If he hangs onto that position through the next three performances, he can add a Cody Stampede championship in the saddle bronc riding to his resume.
One year ago, the fastest time in the breakaway roping was a 2.4. This year, the members of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association have already surpassed that. Two Montana cowgirls named Williams (they are not related) tied for the top spot at 2.1 seconds.
The first to rope was Cadee Williams from Big Timber. Then Joey Williams from Volberg closed out the breakaway roping.
Montana also had success in the steer wrestling when Jaden Whitman from Whitehall stopped the clock in 3.9 seconds. He competed here with his older brother Jaret who also had a solid time at 4.9 but got a 10-second penalty for an early start. The brothers are both Montana State University alumni. Jaden just graduated with a degree in business management and recently qualified for his third College National Finals Rodeo.
He thinks a lot of his MSU rodeo coach Kyle Whitaker, whose wife was recently involved in a tragic accident that had her hospitalized for nearly a month. Shortly after the accident, the brothers were driving home from a rodeo and discussed putting on a steer wrestling jackpot to benefit their coach’s family. They raised nearly $40,000.
With three performances left and a lot of athletes yet to compete at the 107th Cody Stampede, these leads are all subject to change. Action continues Wednesday July 2 with a performance at 8 p.m. Limited tickets are available for that performance, but July 3rd and 4th are sold out. For ticket information go to www.codystampederodeo.com.
The following are unofficial leaders after the first performance at the Cody Stampede, July 1, 2026.
Bareback Riding: 1, Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D., 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Lonesome Medicine. 2, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 84. 3, Blayn Hughston, McBain, Mich., 83.5. 4, Toby Deudney, Tumut, New South Wales, Australia, 76.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Jaden Whitman, Whitehall, Mont., 3.9 seconds. 2, Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore.,, 4.1. 3, Cole Walker, Springtown, Texas, 4.2. 4, Emmett Edler, State Center, Iowa, 4.3.
Team Roping: 1, Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas, 4.7 seconds.. 2, Jayse Tettenhorse, Jacksonville, Texas, and Belden Cox, Weatherford, Texas, 5.3. 3, Jade Espenscheid, Big Piney, Wyo., and Coy Johnson, Buffalo, Wyo., 5.6. 4, Britt Ellerman, Sheridan, Wyo., and Cael Espenscheid, Big Piney, Wyo., 6.1.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Stetson Wright, Beaver, Utah, 89.5 points on Double J Rodeo Company’s Moon Valley. 2, Chet Johnson, Buffalo, Wyo., 86. 3, Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah, 85. 4, Jake Schlattmann, Greybull, Wyo., 81.
Breakaway Roping: 1, (tie) Cadee Williams, Big Timber, Mont., and Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 2.1 seconds each. 2, Kimberly Williams, North Powder, Ore., 3.4. 4, Deborah Fabrizio, Pueblo, Colo., 5.0.
Tie-Down Roping: 1, Pecos Tatum, La Plata, N.M., 9.4 seconds. 2, Logan Smith, Whitehall, Mont., 9.5. 3, (tie) Wyatt Williams, Penrose, Colo., and Cody Henderson, Alliance, Neb., 9.6 each.
Barrel Racing: 1, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.17 seconds. 2, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D.,, 17.36. 3, Shayane Fredrickson, Avon, Utah, 18.52. 4, Hayley Picchi, Decatur, Texas, 18.80.
Bull Riding: 1, Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho, 91. 2, Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla., 86. 3, Brody Hasenack, Hoback, Wyo., 83.5. 4, Gavin Knutson, Polson, Mont., 82.
COURTESY OF SUSAN KANODE FOR CODY STAMPEDE TO TENN TEXAS RADIO & MEDIA
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