For Immediate Release:
Contact: Johna Cravens 580-235-2664
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is on Rusty Wright’s Bucket List
FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 29, 2026) – The first year that Rusty Wright competed at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, he watched as his father, Cody Wright, beat him for the saddle bronc riding championship.
Since then, this rodeo has been on the younger Wright’s bucket list. The Milford, Utah, resident took a big step towards reaching that goal on Thursday night. The oldest of Cody Wright’s sons scored the first 91-point ride of the 129th show. He did that aboard Rebel Yell from Championship Rodeo in the first round of Bracket 4 of the FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament.
This could be a pivotal ride for Wright as he has struggled with injuries since he qualified for his last National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2020. He had qualified five consecutive times. He has watched his three younger brothers, Ryder, Stetson and Statler, win gold buckles that are awarded to world champions. He wants to add his name to that list and is currently second in the 2026 world standings. A win here would certainly add to that. He will compete in round two Friday afternoon with the goal of advancing to the Semi-Finals.
The Otero family who lives nearby in Parker County had a great night. Michael Otero competed in the tie-down roping. He and the 2019 world champion, Haven Meged from Miles City, Montana, tied for the win. They each had a time of 8.8 seconds.
Moments after getting the win, he was back on his horse riding alongside his wife Carlee as she came down the alley to compete barrel race. She was on her great horse, Blingolena, that she calls Sly, who has been injured. His road to recovery has been long and intense. That struggle was worth it when they stopped the clock in 16.26 seconds to win the round.
Nick Pelke knows exactly how it feels to win this legendary rodeo. He earned the bareback riding title in Dickies Arena one year ago and came close to qualifying for the NFR last year thanks in part to that win. He finished the season four spots shy of the top 15 that go to Las Vegas to compete at rodeo’s championships.
Pelke, from Mondovi, Wisconsin, put himself in position to win back-to-back titles here. He scored 87.5 points on the horse named Ranch and Crow from Championship Pro Rodeo to win the first round of Bracket 4.
The 56 contestants in each event compete in two rounds of back-to-back action in the tournament. The top two money earners in each event in each bracket advance to the Semi-Finals. The top four from each Semi-Finals move on to Championship Saturday, February 7.
The third highest money winner in each bracket advances to the wild card round next Wednesday with the top two in the wild card round going to the Semi-Finals.
Bracket 4 concludes with a 2 p.m. performance at Dickies Arena Friday afternoon. A new slate of contestants will begin Bracket 5 at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Dickies Arena.
FORT WORTH, Texas --- The following are unofficial results round one of Bracket 4 of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Pro Rodeo Tournament, January 29, 2026.
Bareback Riding: 1, Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis., 87.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Ranch and Crow, $2,542. 2, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 84.5, $1,942. 3, Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan., 84, $1,542. 4, Ty Fast Taypotat, 83, $1,042.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D., 3.6 seconds, $2,542. 2, Kyle Irwin, Westville, Fla., 4.0, $1,942. 3, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 4.4, $1,542. 4, Cade Goodman, Burton, Texas, 4.8, $1,042.
Breakaway roping: 1, Cadee Williams, Big Timber, Mont., 2.0 seconds, $2,542. 2, Karen Little, San Saba, Texas, 2.3 seconds. $1,942. 3, Kinlie Brennise, 2.6, $1,542. 4, (tie) Kendal Pierson, Wardlow, Alberta, Canada, and Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 2.8, $604 each.
Saddle bronc riding: 1, Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah, 91 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Rebel Yell, $2,542. 2, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 88.5, $1,942. 3, Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont., 86, $1,542. 4, Leon Fountain, Lemitar, N.M., 85, $1,042.
Tie-Down Roping: 1, (tie) Hagen Meged, Miles City, Mont., and Michael Otero, Perrin, Texas, 8.8 seconds, $2,242. 3, Tyler Calhoun, Richards, Texas, 9.0, $1,542. 4, Pecos Tatum, La Plata, N.M., 9.4, $1,042.
Team Roping: 1, James Arviso, Seba Dalkai, Ariz., and Rance Doyal, Kenefic, Okla., 3.9 seconds, $2,525 each. 2, (tie) Cash Duty, Weimar, Texas, and Calgary Smith, Adams, Ore., and Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., and Nicky Northcott, Stephenville, Texas, 4.5, $1,825 each. 4, Brenton Hall, Jay, Okla., and Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, Texas, 5.0, $1,125 each.
Barrel Racing: 1, Carlee Otero, Lipan, Texas, 16.26, $2,500. 2, Makenna Shook, Needville, Texas, 16.35, $1,900. 3, Jordan Driver, Garden City, Texas, 16.56, $1,500. 4, Katie Halbert, Port Lavaca, Texas, 16.59, $1,000.
Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Luke “Colorado Kid” Mackey, Ignacio, Colo., 88 points on Championship Pro