ProRodeo Sports News - September 21, 2018

ALL AMERICAN

if I started team roping,” he said. Emmett grew up in a rodeo family in Ponca, Ark. His father, Skip, mainly competed in bareback riding, but he also was a steer wrestler, team roper, tie-down roper and bull rider. Skip has since become a rodeo judge and has worked the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo twice. Emmett’s older brother, Cale, 33, also competes in the PRCA, primarily as a steer wrestler. “Rodeoing is all I have done and all I ever wanted to do,” Emmett said. “We basically practiced every day, (tie-down roping), team roping and bulldogging, we were pretty busy. I love the heritage of rodeo, the competition of rodeo and the fact that it is something you can do with your family. You also get to see a lot of places and meet a lot of nice people. I love it.” FAMILY COMMITMENTS Although parenthood is new to Emmett, he’s already relishing the experience. “I love it,” Emmett said. “It is a lot of fun taking her with us, and it dang sure changes your travel arrangements. You try and plan your driving schedule according to her sleep schedule.” Emmett’s wife, Polly, is planning on returning to barrel racing in 2019. “I know my wife’s craving it (barrel racing),” Emmett said. “If she starts barrel racing again, we will have to swap our horses in and out.” When Emmett isn’t rodeoing, he trains horses and does day work. “There’s a lot of cattle where we live,” said Emmett, whose family has lived in Missouri for five years. “But I’m going to keep rodeoing as long as we can make some money doing it. We enjoy it, and hopefully (Ollie Kate) grows up to want to do the same thing.” The family commitment also is something Nelson understands. He and his wife, Katie, have an 18-month old son, Coy. The couple lives in Alta, Iowa. “Having my son with me is great,” said Nelson, whose main occupation is selling fire alarms for homes. “Taking care of my son and wife are my No. 1 priorities.” Following the All American, Emmett and Nelson are scheduled to compete at the RAMGreat Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 8-10. “Next to making the NFR, winning the All American and qualifying for the National Circuit Finals Rodeo (in Kissimmee, Fla., April 4-7) are about as high as you can get. Those are definitely goals for J.W. and me, especially since neither one of us has been to the National Circuit Finals Rodeo.”

Team roping header Payden Emmett, wife, Polly, and their 1-year-old daughter, Ollie Kate, take a break while traveling the rodeo trail Photo courtesy Polly Emmett

Like Payden Emmett, J.W. Nelson has family commitments with his wife, Katie, and their 1-year-old son, Coy. Photo courtesy Katie Nelson

ProRodeo Sports News 9/21/2018

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