Rodeo Star's Son Remembered on 1-Year Anniversary of Tragic Drowning

One year after the tragic drowning of three-year-old Levi Wright, the youngest son of renowned saddle bronc champion Spencer Wright, his family is reflecting on the immense loss and the memories that continue to shape their lives. In a heartfelt social media post, Kallie Wright, Levi’s mother, remembered the final moments spent with her son as he passed away in their arms, marking a solemn anniversary that has left a lasting impact on those closest to him.

"A year ago, today, we held you as you took your last breaths," Kallie wrote, sharing a poignant photograph of herself, Spencer, and Levi in the hospital. She described the fear of not being able to be with Levi as he slipped away, and the sense of peace that came over her in his final moments. "You stayed with us for 17 minutes. As you left, an overwhelming feeling came over me and I knew we had done right by you." The family's agony was compounded by the drawn-out ordeal: Levi had been on life support for nearly two weeks following the accident before they made the difficult decision to let him go.

The incident occurred in late May 2024, when Levi drove his toy tractor into a river on the family’s Utah property. Emergency responders airlifted the child to Beaver Valley Hospital, where he remained in critical condition. For days, the family shared hopeful updates, expressing their desire to see improvement and attempts to wean him off his breathing tube. Ultimately, after extensive consultation with medical experts and many sleepless nights, the family concluded it was time to say goodbye. "Levi showed us just enough to buy us time for all of this," Kallie recalled, noting their prayers and hopes that he would defy the odds. "We see now he wanted to give us time to find peace with letting him go."

In the wake of their tragedy, the Wrights have taken proactive steps to honor Levi’s memory. They established The Levi Wright Foundation to support other families facing similar hardships. The foundation has already begun organizing community events, including the upcoming Levi Wright Memorial Barrel Race, aiming to turn their grief into meaningful action.

The story of the Wright family is widely known in rodeo circles. Spencer Wright, currently ranked 40th in the world in saddle bronc riding, hails from a dynasty of champions. His father, Bill Wright, is a ProRodeo Hall of Famer, and Spencer, along with his three brothers, made history a decade ago by all qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in the same year—a feat that inspired a book and national television coverage. Despite their achievements, the family now finds themselves united in remembrance, working to keep Levi’s legacy alive through advocacy and outreach.

As the anniversary of Levi’s passing arrives, the Wrights continue to garner support from friends, family, and the wider rodeo community. "Levi, we talk about and think of you every day. We live for you! Our love for you is stronger than ever," Kallie expressed, underscoring the enduring bond between parent and child, and the power of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.