<p>Justin Duso, 11, of Pendleton has Jake Wright, right, autograph his hat Wedneday behind the north grandstands as his brother, Jesse Wright, looks on at the Pendleton Round-Up.</p>

PENDLETON For the Wright brothers, the ability to stay aboard a spinning, twisting saddle bronc is embedded deep inside their DNA.

Three of the seven brothers Cody, Jesse and Jake earned invites to this winters National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, making them the first trio of siblings to make the finals together since the Etbauer brothers. Cody, a two-time world champ at age 35, is no stranger at NFR, but his baby brothers want gold buckles, even if it means taking down one of their own.

Were sure as hell not going for second, Jake said. If we could all tie every time, thatd be great.

The addiction to the event wasnt always so strong for Jake, who once resisted trying saddle bronc riding.

I wanted nothing to do with it, he said.

That attitude only solidified after he actually climbed on his first feisty bronc at age 14. He wore a helmet, which turned out to be a good thing.

I got hung up in the stirrup and got my head stepped on, said Jake, now 23. A boot got ripped off.

He swore off broncs and decided to ride bulls instead. The attitude persisted until his father (who once did all three roughstock events) and older brother Cody urged him to give bronc riding another shot.

Youll never get on another bull again, Cody told him. Its like a big ol rocking chair.

This time, it took. That doesnt mean he wasnt flung to the dirt it would take another 10 rides or so to break eight seconds but at least the bronc didnt step on his head.

Last year, Jake missed nailing down a spot at NFR by $85 to 2009 world champion Jesse Kruse and had to watch Jesse and Cody from the stands. Only the top 15 in each event received coveted NFR berths and Jake sat on the bubble at 16. This year, theres no mystery he ranks a solid 10th in the world. His twin, Jesse, is second and Cody ranks fifth.

Four of the Wright brothers Jake, Cody, Jesse, and Alex proved their mettle during Wednesdays opening round.

Jesse, the first Wright brother of the day, burst out of the chute on Cedars Pass and set the bar with an 84-point ride, a score that stood until Bradley Harter slid by near the end of the round with an 86. Jake demonstrated his rocking chair smoothness on Sodoku for 77 points. Cody survived a high-flying ride on Crow Nation for a score of 83 and 25-year-old Alex earned an 82 on Shining Mountain.

Afterwards, it was grins and backslaps all around as the cowboys gathered their gear. These Utah brothers seem to genuinely like each other. The four men travel together and never seriously tire of each others company, according to Jake. Cody, the master of the good-natured jab, keeps his younger brothers in line.

He likes to tease people until they want to rip their hair out and then he quits, Jake explained, grinning.

At the same time, the brothers are each others biggest supporters.

We really want to see each other excel, said Jake, who is a few minutes older than Jesse.

Cody smiled at his gregarious brother. Jake, he said, would give you the shirt off his back and in the arena, he gives 100 percent.

They are among 13 siblings who grew up on a Utah ranch. Spencer competed on Thursday in Pendleton for a score of 77. The youngest Wright brother, Stuart, is still in high school and another brother, Calvin, once competed, but is taking a break.

All the brothers are fairly short in stature. Jake and Jesse stand 5-foot-9, an inch taller than Alex and Cody. Jake, however, is quick to encourage tall guys.

Casey Tibbs (world champion) is over 6 feet, he said. Short, tall, thin or fat it doesnt matter. If you got it, go ahead and do it.

The brothers hurriedly hit the road Wednesday shortly after their feet landed on the ground. Theyll be back for todays short round  after Jesse, Cody and Alex each made the short round.

Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0810.