Wright and Harris Win Big at The American

Stetson Wright had record-shattering success and Ty Harris walked away over half a million richer after The American Rodeo.

Stetson Wright, the blue shirt, Resistol-wearin’ cowboy broke records at The American Rodeo by Teton Ridge.

This past Saturday, the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field had a sold-out stadium to watch the 10th Annual American Rodeo, the richest single-day rodeo.

The night started with the semi-finals of the top 10 competitors in each event. From there, four would advance to the finals, known as the Final Shootout Round. Cody Johnson, country star and Resistol-wearer himself, performed between the rounds. Contestants competed for a $100,000 purse. Those eligible competed for a chance at the million-dollar bonus in the finals.

The night was jam-packed with breaking rodeo records, especially for Stetson Wright, the 23-year-old Utah native. Wright immediately put the audience on the edge of their seats in the saddle bronc.

Stetson Wright and Dawson Hay both rode for a 92.5 score in the saddle bronc finals. It tied the previous record set by Wade Sundell.

For the first time in The American Rodeo history, the two competed in a head-to-head ride-off to determine the winner. Stetson Wright took the crown with an 89.5, winning the title and a  $100,000 check.

He continued his victories in bull riding. With an incredible 92-point ride, he took home another $100,000 check. This made him the first athlete to win two titles at The American Rodeo.

Securing the two wins named Wright the All-Around Champion at The American Rodeo.

 

Another Resistol athlete, Ty Harris, champion tie-down roper, walked away with much heavier pockets Saturday night. After winning the tie-down roping, he split the million-dollar bonus with the breakaway champion, Jackie Crawford.

With the $100,000 purse from the tie-down and the $500,000 bonus, he came away $600,000 richer. He’s still trying to wrap his head around it.

“It’s something I kept talking about. But, actually doing it, it doesn’t feel real,” says the 24-year-old Texas native. “It’s surreal. It’s amazing to feel so many people supporting you.”

He started off the weekend with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 6.58-second run to claim his spot. After the first go, he advanced to the finals where he tied another fast run for 7.22 seconds. This is the first American Rodeo win for Harris, the 2018 Resistol Rookie of the Year in tie-down roping, who qualified for his fourth National Finals Rodeo last year.

“We knew the start was going to be fast and we knew the calves were going to be good,” says Harris.

As for his newly filled pockets, he’s going to invest it. “I’m going to go back to living the way I was, so I can set myself up for the future.” The cowboy is back on the road to Houston.

Resistol has been a sponsor of The American rodeo since its beginning, 10 years ago. Each year, Resistol creates a custom 100x hat for the finalists. This year, the hat is a Mist Grey. The three-piece buckle set has the new American Rodeo logo. The foil has incorporated the red, white, and blue theme. Resistol is the official hat of The American Rodeo.