After a triumphant world premiere in the course of the NFR, Outriding the Devil hits the rodeo path on the Premiere Tour
HOUSTON, TX — Rusty Wright at present sits atop the saddle bronc world standings. He’s all too acquainted with a few of life’s hardest challenges. In some ways, his meteoric rise to primary on this planet this season is equal components comeback and renewal.
“This hasn’t always been easy, but the support of family and friends makes it all worth it,” says Rusty.
It ought to come as no shock that in the course of the NFR film premiere of Outriding the Devil, the movie’s director, Raen LeVell, credited Rusty Wright with setting the tone for the movie early in manufacturing, saying his interview “became the film’s heartbeat.”
On reflection, that shouldn’t be stunning, as central to Outriding the Devil is among the most inspirational comebacks in rodeo historical past. Texas Hall of Fame barrel racer Angela Ganter’s unbelievable fortitude and bravado to beat Stage 4 breast most cancers and return to the best ranges of the WPRA and PRCA circuit.
“I ended up having nine surgeries and had to start taking what they call ‘the red devil,’ the worst chemo you can take,” shares Ganter, shedding mild on the satan she outrode.
“You don’t know how many young people, without her knowing, that she’s inspiring,” Wright says of Ganter. “There might be somebody out there looking for that ‘why’ — and she’s been that ‘why’ for more people than she knows.”
Following its premiere, Outriding the Devil acquired stellar critiques. The PRCA (ProRodeo.com) flagged it as, “One of the great rodeo movies,” which is a succinct summation. Yes, there’s the heart and glory. The thrilling rides. Stetson Wright and Ky Hamilton transporting the viewers into the chutes because the gate’s about to open.
“That gate will open and on those really rank bulls you hardly can see what’s going on. You can feel what’s happening and you can see little bits of it, but nine times out of ten, it’s all based off reaction,” recounts Hamilton, matter-of-factly.
There’s the inescapable heartache from equine loves misplaced, notably the tragedy that took Angela’s beloved Bugs, that’s deeply affecting. Then, like all basic movie, there’s distinction. Shad “Money” Mayfield’s magnetic persona lights-up the display as he guides us by way of the world of rodeo and Angela and Jackie Ganter’s place inside it. But there’s extra.
Angela Ganter’s great-grandfather, John Campbell, a Scotsman by the use of Virginia, was among the many first to ranch on the Brazos in west Texas, which in 1850, was the area of the Comanche Nation. Pragmatism gained out and these interactions weren’t what we’ve come to think about. Learning of Angela’s pioneer ranching heritage, we perceive that the power and dedication to beat most cancers was knowledgeable by that legacy. The combat is in her blood.
The position of Quanah Parker, the legendary Comanche statesman, in advancing cattle and ranching as an financial and cultural driving power within the West with Charles Goodnight, Samuel Burk Burnett, and Daniel Waggoner is connective tissue in Ganter’s heritage and the evolution of rodeo.
Mo Brings Plenty, who brings profound insights all through Outriding the Devil, credit author/director LeVell with bringing context to those tales.
“Raen and Taylor (Sheridan) are very similar in some ways. They are both visionaries and amazing storytellers,” says Brings Plenty, one of the vital common stars from Sheridan’s Yellowstone. “They both also share my passion to depict our history and culture correctly.”
But the north star in Outriding the Devil is the significance of household, which is movingly articulated by each the Ganters and the Wrights.
“Your fight and your will to live is what’s going to keep you here,” displays Angela on defying most cancers. “You have to find that reason to fight, and it’s not for yourself. You have to find that person. You have to have something that makes you want to fight harder for anything beyond you. And that was my daughter. I lived for Jackie.”
The sacred bond between mom and daughter is palpable from the opening minutes and is deftly layered by the director, chapter by chapter. Jackie Ganter, two-time NFR qualifier and 2015 WPRA Rookie of the Year, is a compelling presence in Outriding the Devil.
“My mom’s a very tough person. My granny’s a very tough person. That’s kinda how I’ve been raised. You’re not really given an option in our family to not be tough,” Jackie displays.
“Rodeo to me means family. You can be great, but you’re not going to be as great as you could be without all of your support and family. Your mom, dad, brothers, aunts, and uncles. In my case, I have an army behind me. Without that army I call family, I wouldn’t be where I am,” acknowledges Rusty Wright.
Without hesitation, ten-time world champion Stetson Wright states, “family is everything to me.” As the movie unfolds, Stetson expresses the vary of feelings he goes by way of watching his brothers’ journey. With the Ganters, we see it. As Jackie rides for a Canadian Finals Rodeo title, her mother turns each barrel together with her as she watches the clock and lives the run outdoors of the world.
“Angela and Jackie are in elite company as a mother and daughter duo competing at the highest level in the United States and Canada.”
Garrett Yerigan, two-time PRCA Announcer of the Year
ShaRee Wright, whose heat and calm demeanor interprets naturally to the massive display, offers context to the Wright household’s legacy in rodeo.
“Cody did it,” begins ShaRee, referring to her husband, two-time saddle bronc world champion Cody Wright. “His brothers did it. And now my boys all do it. There have been so many members of the Wright family who have competed at this level. When you step back and look at it, it’s incredible.”
The legacy continued on the latest San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, when all 4 brothers made the saddle bronc remaining. Stetson took the championship buckle, and Rusty and Ryder tied for second.
“The older I got, the more I realized what my dad created and how big it was,” continues Stetson. “I wish there were words to explain how awesome it is to be part of, because we grew up in the smallest town and were just known as the little wild Wright boys. There was nothing to suggest that one day we’d be plastered all over Las Vegas, Nevada, during the NFR! We’ve come a long ways, and it’s pretty sweet.”
Catch the Movie During the Premiere Tour
If you like rodeo and Western heritage and need to immerse your self in a narrative of religion, household, and real “true grit,” catch Outriding the Devil on its Premiere Tour, starting in Texas at a number of historic Western venues this 12 months.
The 2026 Premiere Tour Schedule
Texas Tour Stops:
Mountain West & Canada:
The tour continues with its Arizona Premiere, then takes the rodeo path till September, with a number of dates in Wyoming and Montana, and the Outriding the Devil’s Canadian Premiere in Calgary. Check otdmovie.com for updates and extra bulletins.
- Benson, AZ: Historic Mescal Movie Set with acoustic efficiency by Chancey Williams
- Tempe, AZ: Pollack Cinemas
- Calgary, AB: The Plaza Theatre (Canadian Premiere)
- Wyoming & Montana: Various dates by way of September.
The 1st official world premiere kicked off in the course of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you weren’t capable of attend the premiere, right here is your probability! Be looking out for this improbable film because it follows the rodeo path this season. I do know I shall be!