National Western Stock Show Rodeo championships on the line

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Stetson Wright’s return to action at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo just keeps getting better. He competed in Bracket 2 in the Denver Coliseum and was the first man to ride two bulls and qualify for the Semi-Finals. On Saturday afternoon, Wright, from Beaver, Utah, rode the Cervi Championship Rodeo bull named Peacemaker for 88.5 points, the high-marked ride of the three Semi-Finals performances. NWSS photo by Ric Andersen

DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 25, 2025) — With three action-packed rodeo performances at the National Western Stock Show on Saturday, the Denver Coliseum was filled with excitement.

And no one was more excited than eight-time world champion Stetson Wright from Beaver, Utah. Wright has earned those coveted titles in bull riding, saddle bronc riding and as the all-around cowboy. He competed here in both of his signature events but had the most success in bull riding where he competed at Semi-Finals 2 Saturday afternoon.

Wright missed all of the 2024 season with a hamstring injury. His comeback here has been very exciting. He scored 89-points on his first bull back here. Then he rode his second bull 8 his third. That third one Saturday afternoon was the highest marked ride in the Semi-Finals. Wright scored 88.5 points and now will be riding for the bull riding title here on Sunday.

Saddle bronc rider Zac Dallas from Las Cruces, New Mexico, is on a mission at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo. He qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last December and wants to be back there again in 2025. He advanced to Saturday night’s Semi-Finals performance in the Denver Coliseum where he emerged as the winner with an 85.5-point score on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s horse named Tank. NWSS photo by Ric Andersen.

Another cowboy having success here was saddle bronc rider Zac Dallas. Dallas, from Las Cruces, New Mexico, qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) last December and did that while earning his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture as a Crimson scholar maintaining a 3.5 or better GPA. His graduation ceremony was the same day as round 10 at the NFR so he didn’t get to attend but he still got his diploma.

Now he is focusing on rodeo and that is working very well for the rising star. He scored 85.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s horse named Tank Saturday night to have the highest score during the Semi-Finals.

All the contestants start with a clean slate at Sunday’s Championship Finals. While Wright and Dallas are starting at zero, with the success that they have already had here, they will be favorites to be at the top of the leaderboard again.

Results from the National Western Stock Show Rodeo are available here –

About the National Western Stock Show — Established in 1906, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agricultural-related fields of study. Its mission is to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier stock show, equestrian competitions, and center for year-round events. The 16-day show also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, family and educational shows plus Colorado’s larges western trade show. For more information, visit nationalwestern.com.

Jodi Erpelding

I grew up on a Midwest farm with dirt under my fingernails and the sound of wind rustling through cornfields. My childhood was all about 4H – raising pigs and horses, learning to bake and sew, and discovering the magic of transforming a garden into jars of summer sunshine. Those years taught me the value of hard work, the thrill of seeing a project through to the end, and the simple joy of creating something beautiful. A country girl with a need for speed and a thirst for adventure. Maybe that's why I love the feeling of wind in my hair – whether I'm cruising down a dusty road on my Harley or tackling a mountain trail on my trusty mountain bike. Some of my earliest memories of rodeo are watching my father compete at small local events. That's also where my love for country music comes in – long car rides listening to 8 tracks. The lyrics and melodies always spoke to my soul. These days, you'll find me cheering on the cowboys and cowgirls at rodeos, two-stepping to my favorite bands, belting out a country tune at a concert or sharing stories and laughter with friends around a bonfire. When I'm not soaking up the country life and getting my boots dirty, I'm a nurse, caring for folks in my community. Follow along for more stories from the heart of rodeo and country life!