Rodeo Daily

Injury Update On World Champion Stetson Wright After Puyallup Incident

The rodeo world collectively gasped when a young legend had to be assisted out of the arena during the performance on Saturday.
Teal Stoll|
Stetson Wright
Stetson Wright | Fernando Sam-Sin/@fsamsin

It was clear from the moment Stetson Wright hit the ground in Puyallup, Wash., on SaturdaySeptember 6, he knew something was very wrong. Paired up with Calgary Stampede's Cloudy Skies in the saddle bronc riding, Wright had come down before the buzzer and took a hard hit as the horse moved away from him.

While the eight-time World Champion has spent the majority of his life riding bucking stock, there was no question in Wright's expression that the result was severe.

He sat up and immediately waved for help. After being assisted out of the arena, the Justin Sports Medicine team on site sent Wright to the local hospital after his initial exam.

Although the angle most viewers saw on the Cowboy Channel was deceiving, the horse's hind foot came down hard on Wright's midsection. Thankfully, he was wearing a protective vest, but still suffered major injuries.

In an update from PRORODEO, it was confirmed that Wright suffered five broken ribs on his left side, as well as a punctured lung and pelvic injury. According to Wright, healing has already begun and his ribs are well aligned.

In true cowboy fashion, he reports that he still has his sights set on competing in Sioux Falls, S.D., for the $1 million Governor's Cup, September 26-28.

Wright noted that medical advice was six weeks of down time, but after taking the majority of 2024 off to recover from another injury, the Utah cowboy is eager to get off the sidelines again.

He has dominated in 2025, currently the No. 1 man in both the all-around and bull riding standings. While his bull riding qualification for the National Finals Rodeo is safe, Wright may need to defend his position in the saddle bronc riding to earn another trip to Las Vegas in December.

After his incredible performances so far this year, Wright was in the top two of both the bull riding and saddle bronc Playoffs Standings. Despite not being able to finish the competition in Puyallup, he will still be poised to return in Sioux Falls if he is ready.

With his brother Ryder competing in Sunday's semifinals, Wright made his way from the hospital back to the arena to cheer him on. The tight knit family of saddle bronc riders are always one another's biggest advocates behind the chutes and can often be seen cheering in the background of photos and videos.

We look forward to Stetson's return to the arena and will stay on top of his journey.

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Teal Stoll
TEAL STOLL

Teal Stoll is a lifelong Wyomingite from a working ranch family of several generations. Both sides of her family have deep roots in rodeo, as contestants and stock contractors. Teal grew up horseback and actively competes in rodeos and barrel races. She has degrees in both business and accounting, which she uses operating her own bookkeeping service. Teal enjoys spending time with her horses, training colts, and maintaining her string of athletes. When she isn’t at the barn, she can be found reading, doing yoga, or on her paddle board at the lake. Teal lives with her fiancee and a plethora of animals, because she can’t say no to a displaced critter with a sad story. When she isn’t on the road running barrels, she spends her time helping with day to day operations on the family ranch.

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