Stetson Wright is one of at least three second-generation cowboy superstars that will be in the field at Cinch Playoffs The Governor’s Cup, which takes place next weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D. He will be joined by rookies Noah Lee and John Crimber, whose fathers were major players in the PBR.
(PRCA PHOTO BY LARA ST JACQUES)
2nd-generation to bring big-time talent to The Governor’s Cup
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – It wasn’t that long ago that their surnames were household brands for rodeo and bull riding fans.
This is just the next generation of incredible talent carrying on a family legacy at the Cinch Playoffs The Governor’s Cup, presented by Texas Precious Metals, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept 25-Saturday, Sept. 26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Danny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls.
Mike Lee won the PBR world championship in 2004 and qualified for the PBR World Finals 16 times, and now Noah Lee is the No. 1 bull rider in ProRodeo. Paulo Crimber made the World Finals 10 times and the National Finals Rodeo once, and John Crimber is about to follow suit, becoming the first bull rider to make the championship events in both organizations in seven years.
Saddle bronc rider Cody Wright made 13 trips to the NFR and won rodeo’s gold in 2008 and 2010, and all four of his sons have played on the sport’s biggest stage. Stetson Wright, though, is the most-decorated cowboy of this generation with 11 NFR qualifications and 10 world championships, six in the all-around, one in saddle bronc riding and three in bull riding.
All three will be in the field in Sioux Falls, battling for the big bucks up for grabs in Sioux Falls while hoping they build toward the 2026 world title.
“Bull riding is going to be pretty interesting,” said Garrett Yerigan, one of the two announcers that will emcee The Governor’s Cup. “When you look at who will be there and who should be there, it’s a pretty big deal.”
The top four from the Sept. 10-13 Puyallup (Washington) Rodeo receive an automatic bid into Sioux Falls. The other eight are determined by the final Cinch Playoff Series standings, which were to be released the week of competition in southeastern South Dakota.
Crimber won the title in Washington and will be joined by Colten Fritzlan, Dakota Hill and Jace Trosclair as those that advance. Based on points, Lee, Wright, Luke Mackey and T.J. Gray are virtual locks. That leaves just four more who were to have secured their spots in either Pendleton, Oregon, or Mandan, North Dakota, the final two avenues of the 60-event Playoff Series.
“We have the four that have punched their ticket because of how they did at Puyallup (Washington), and we’ll have to see who the other eight are going to be,” Yerigan said. “There’s a little side story on John Crimber, to tore his groin in Puyallup. He’s got a hematoma on the inside of his thigh, probably the size of a grapefruit, so he’s riding hurt, trying to grit through this.”
It’s been a hectic season for men like Crimber, who joins Lee as rookies in the mix. Not only has Crimber ridden a full season in the PBR, but he’s among the top 10 in the PRCA world standings and should be secure in his first venture to Las Vegas for the sport’s grand finale. He’d love to add to his earnings in Sioux Falls, though.
Hutchings leads the Playoff Series standings, but Lee is second and leads the world standings, having been a force in 2026. He entered mid-September with $358,507 in season earnings, about $40,000 ahead of Hutchings in the race for the gold buckle.
That’s where The Governor’s Cup comes in. One person in each event can earn almost $59,000 over the course of the weekend. Even though Lee has set a new PRCA regular-season earnings mark, his lead isn’t safe. Of course, nothing is safe with Wright lurking. He is the face of ProRodeo, a cowboy who has left an indelible mark on the sport while still playing it.
Wright burst onto the scene in 2019, winning the Resistol Rookie of the Year awards in saddle bronc riding, bull riding and the all-around. He won the all-around world title that year, then won four more in a row before sitting out the 2024 season with injury. He returned to the game last year and won gold in the all-around and bull riding.
He’s also one of six members of his family to have won titles, joining his father, uncles Jesse and Spencer, and brothers Ryder and Statler, all of whom claimed championships in bronc riding. Bull riding is a different monster altogether, but he’s excelled, as have the other 11 men who will be part of the competition in Sioux Falls.
“There are definitely some interesting scenarios that could come in bull riding,” Yerigan said. “That’s going to make it a lot of fun to watch.”