Rusty Wright Out Indefinitely
by Justin Shaw | Aug 26, 2016
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Saddle bronc rider Rusty Wright had his 2016 PRCA regular season come to abrupt halt Aug. 25 when he suffered a compound fracture of his left leg during a ride at the Kitsap Stampede in Bremerton, Wash.
Wright had surgery that night at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton to repair the damage to his leg.
“I broke my tibia and fibula, and it was an open fracture because my bones went outside the skin,” said Wright, 20. “I also know I had to get a rod put in my leg.”
Wright said he’s scheduled to leave Harrison Medical Center Aug. 28, and will return to his home in Milford, Utah.
About five seconds into his ride on Calgary Stampede’s Urgent Delivery, Wright knew his left leg was in bad shape.
“I spurred back and my foot got in my saddle and when I sat down, it broke,” Wright said. “I heard it break, and I knew it was broke right when it happened, and I jumped off the horse. I’ve had that happen a few times where I’ve sat on my foot, but never like that, and it just decided to break.”
Wright was No. 2 in the Aug. 22 WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings, with $117,942. The PRCA regular season concludes Sept. 30, and Wright is a lock to qualify for the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER, Dec. 1-10 in Las Vegas.
“I should be back for the Finals,” Wright said. “I’m just going to try and heal up and if I’m ready, I’m ready, and if not, I’m not. It’s a little frustrating, but everything happens for a reason. I must have needed some time off, and now I have it.”
A year ago, Wright made his WNFR debut, winning Rounds 4, 7 and 8, and placing in four other rounds, en route to finishing third in the world standings.
Courtesy of PRCA