Stetson Wright has Plates, Screws Removed from Face

Time is something cowboys have had plenty of since mid-March when rodeos were put on hold or canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although 2019 All-Around World Champion Stetson Wright wanted to be rodeoing, the break in the action allowed his body to heal.

During the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, the Milford, Utah, cowboy was banged up during a Feb. 19 ride aboard 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Relentless after the bull stepped on the right side of his pelvis.

A day later, Wright drew Powder River Rodeo’s SweetPro’s Bruiser. During the ride, Bruiser pulled Wright down and tore the medial collateral ligament in Wright’s right knee.

Fast-forward to May 15, when Wright had surgery in St. George, Utah, to take plates out of his face that were put in after he broke his jaw following a ride at the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo, July 31.

I had five plates and a bunch of screws from my chin down the right side of my face, and I had all the plates and screws taken out,” Wright said. “It was bothering me really bad. When I walked out of surgery, I immediately felt better. The pain had dropped. I could have left the plates in, but my body was rejecting them, and they were infected. I can deal with the pain in my body, but not my face. The pain was unbearable. I feel so much better.”

Wright is scheduled to compete at Cave Creek (Ariz.) Rodeo Days, May 24. He drew The Cervi Brothers’ Boss in saddle bronc riding and 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Reality Check in bull riding.

This is the healthiest I have been in a long time, I feel really good,” Wright said.

Courtesy of PRCA