Wrights ride saddle broncs to top in fifth go-round

The last thing the Wright brothers from Utah want do is fly.

Unlike their aviation namesakes, Orville and Wilbur, if Jesse and Cody Wright go soaring through the air, it usually means they were catapulted by a rank bucking horse.

That happened to Cody, a two-time world champion, on Sunday when he was bucked off. But he responded in Monday's fifth go-round of the National Finals Rodeo by flying to the top of the scoreboard -- temporarily -- with an 87.5-point ride.

That would have given Wright a tie for the highest-scored ride of the Finals, if not for younger brother Jesse Wright.

Little brother posted the first 90-point saddle bronc ride of the Finals on Burns Rodeo's Chugwater Blue on Monday night before 17,242 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The night before, Jesse, 22, was scored for 88.5 and won that round.

"I like all the bronc riders here, but I'm not going to lie; I'd just as soon it be my brother win if it's not me," Cody said.

"I don't think he ever comes to want second," he said of Jesse. "He wants the last hit and wants to win."

What impressed Jesse more than his high-scoring mark was the performances of his competitors, including his 34-year-old brother. It took an 82.5 score to place in the top six.

"After (Cody's) ride, it was 90 or nothin'," said Jesse, who earned $92,927 last year in his first NFR. "There were some great rides tonight."

Jesse was second-to-last to ride in the 15-man field, four riders after his brother's chance on Flying Five Rodeo's Spring Planting, and he said he believes his position helped.

"When you have so many guys making great rides ahead of you, it comes down to who rides last," Jesse said.

"The judges see good rides and more good rides and they are liking it more and more," he said, implying that scores can edge up. "I'm not saying judges do that on purpose, but if I was out there, I would because you just get more and more pumped up."

That didn't work for Taos Muncy, who was the last to ride. His score of 78.5 wasn't good enough for a trip to the pay window.

Cody's runner-up finish and $14,134 paycheck enabled the two-time and reigning world champion to pass Muncy, the previous money leader.

With five go-rounds remaining, including today's that begins at 6:45 p.m., Cody leads Muncy of Corona, N.M., by about $3,700. Jesse, the hottest rider in the NFR, ranks fourth but is $27,000 behind his brother.

The Wrights narrowly missed being the fourth set of three brothers to qualify for the Finals in the event's 53-year history and the first since the saddle bronc riding Etbauer brothers -- Robert, Billy and Dan -- did it in 1997.

Jesse's twin brother Jake missed qualifying for the Finals by a mere $85.

"He'll come out with blood in his eyes next year, and it'll be hard to hold him back," Cody said.

And with 24-year-old brother Alex Wright also a bronc rider, it could become a Finals foursome.

"With a little luck, we all could make it here," Cody said.

But not so lucky for the rest of the field. 

Jeff Wolf is a freelance reporter. He can be reached at (702) 406-8165 or nitrorodeo@gmail.com.