Kaique Pacheco and Stetson Wright to Battle it Out at The American Rodeo 2023!

Kaique Pacheco and Stetson Wright: each a third-generation cowboy, each a world champion, and each vying for the win at The American Rodeo 2023!

Kaique Pacheco

In 2022, Brazilian cowboy Pacheco, who was the 2015 PBR Rookie of the Year and 2018 PBR World Champion, took home the $2.1 million win with the world’s richest bull ride, 89-points on Frontier Rodeo Company’s bull County Jail. This was after bucking off in the long round and only making it back to the four-man shootout round with his buck-off time of 3.49 seconds.

“My father rode bulls, and my uncles were bull riders and bullfighters. I was determined to be a bull rider, too. I love the sport,” Kaique Pacheco said following his win. “I can’t describe this moment. I always dreamed about winning The American Rodeo, and I finally made that happen.”

In 2021 and 2022, Kaique Pacheco ended up second in the PBR world standings; and so far in 2023, he’s sitting fourth. The 28-year-old cowboy is on the Nashville Stampede team in the PBR Team Series and sitting fourth in the Unleash the Beast rankings, as well. So far in the 2023 season, Pacheco has earned wins at the PBR ZipRecruiter Invitational presented by Ariat 15/15 Bucking Battle and the PBR Gwinnett Chute Out. He also came in second at the PBR Tractor Supply Co. Invitational.

Stetson Wright

Utah cowboy Stetson Wright, on the other hand, was called to replace Ky Hamilton in the draw at the 2022 American Rodeo. Winning the long round with an 88.5-point ride on Tyler Farris Bucking Bull’s bull Top Shelf, Wright then bucked off in the shootout round.

However, make no mistake, Wright is no stranger to winning big rodeos. With PRCA career earnings of more than $2 million, he has taken the rodeo world by storm at a mere 23 years old. In December 2022, Wright set the single-season PRCA earnings record, the all-around single-season record, and the bull riding single-season record. In Wright’s four-year professional rodeo career, he’s earned seven career world championships: four in all-around (2019-2022), two in bull riding (2020 and 2022), and saddle bronc riding (2021).

So far in the 2023 rodeo season, Wright has taken home some big wins and more than $80,000. At the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo that wrapped up January 22, Wright won the saddle bronc riding and came in second in the bull riding; and at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo that just concluded February 4, Wright split the saddle bronc riding win with Dawson Hay and took home second in the bull riding there as well.

With two bull riders who have found so much success in two of the most well-known western sports associations, The American Rodeo 2023 is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat! The two will compete in round one of the biggest payday in western sports on Saturday, March 11 at 5:45 p.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, along with eight other contestants. Round two will begin at 9:00 p.m. that evening and feature the top four contestants in each discipline.

Tickets

Purchase your tickets today! While the entire event is sure to be packed full of excitement, you’ll want to make sure you get to watch the bull riding unfold with these two talented young athletes competing once again for the million-dollar payout! Not only that but this will be an unforgettable four-day event.

For exceptional seats and the ultimate experience be sure to check out VIP tickets during The American Western Weekend!