Cody Wright’s Outlook on Fatherhood This Father’s Day
“To further instill hard work in my boys and my family — honestly, that's about all I strive for,” said two-time world champion saddle bronc rider and 13-time NFR qualifier Cody Wright. “The rest of the things, I feel like they can get anything they want if they know how to work.”
Beyond the gold buckles, trophy saddles and NFR qualifications lies the Team Resistol athlete’s greatest source of pride: being a father.
A father of five and the patriarch of one of rodeo’s most accomplished families, Wright hangs his Resistol on what matters most — family.
Growing up with a strong role model in his own father, Wright learned the value of hard work at an early age and was quick to pass that lesson on to the next generation of Wrights.
“My biggest mentor was my dad,” Wright said. “The biggest impact he had on me was teaching me how to work — and to work for the things that I wanted. What I hope my children take away from me is how to work hard, teach your kids how to work hard, and treat others the way they want to be treated.”
Wright and his wife, ShaRee, have built a family legacy rooted in hard work, faith and rodeo. Their children include five-time NFR qualifier Rusty Wright, three-time world champion and 10-time NFR qualifier Ryder Wright, 10-time world champion and 11-time NFR qualifier Stetson Wright, world champion and two-time NFR qualifier Statler Wright, and daughter Lily Jo. Together, the Wright family has become synonymous with success in the arena and strong family bonds outside of it.
Reflecting on his family’s accomplishments, Wright said watching his children succeed has brought him even more joy than his own decorated career.
“To watch them take the things they've learned over the years and put in the hard work — I was actually thinking about that the other day,” Wright said. “I was at a wrestling tournament, and somebody put their shoes on the mat for their last match, and everybody was crying about it. I thought to myself, that kid is going to go on and teach other kids. I think I get a lot more joy out of watching my boys strive to be better bronc riders than I ever got from my own career. I had a great career and a lot of success, but there's nothing better than watching my boys win.”
Much like fathers everywhere, Wright celebrates the rewards of building a legacy founded on hard work, perseverance and unconditional love. The multigenerational rodeo dynasty continues to celebrate one another’s victories as if they were their own.
This Father’s Day, Resistol tips its hat to all the hardworking fathers, father figures and mentors who lead their families and build legacies of their own, both in and out of the arena.