Three-Time World Champ Leads Pendleton Saddle Bronc

The first round of saddle bronc riding at the Pendleton Round-Up on Wednesday turned into a battle of some of the highest-ranked riders in the PRCA this season.

By the end of the day, No. 3 ranked Zeke Thurston led the way with an 86-point ride on Legacy, out of Wayne Vold Rodeo Co., out of High River, Alberta.

Thurston, a Big Valley, Alberta native, is seeking his ninth title of the season and hoping to defend his 2022 National Finals Rodeo world title, won last year in Las Vegas.

Behind Thurston was Stetson Wright, the world all-around leader, who finished with a final score of 84.5. Wright was also the No. 1 saddle bronc rider and bull rider in the world entering the week and won the NFR saddle bronc title in 2021.

He’s had an exceptional season, with 13 outright saddle bronc titles and three more shared titles, to go along with 15 all-around titles this season.

After Thurston and Wright were three riders who were among the Top 15 riders in the event this season.

Ryder Sanford ended up in third with an 83.5. Sanford is coming off a saddle bronc title at the Washington State Fair Pro Rodeo last weekend. It was his sixth saddle bronc title of the season and pushed him to No. 14 in the standings.

Brody Cress finished with 82 points and is in fourth place. He entered the event No. 12 in the saddle bronc standings and has 10 saddle bronc titles this season.

Lefty Holman rounded out the Top 5 with an 80-point ride. He entered the event No. 11 in the standings and has three titles this season.

The Round-Up continues through Saturday.