Based in Salina, Kansas, 57-year-old Marsha Nelson was born in Belleville into a family helmed by mother Jo Ann Craig Walker and her late father Bob Craig. Along with older brother, Bobby Craig, and twin sisters Pam Reynolds and Kathy Pugh, riding horses was a way of life.
“My brother and sisters always made sure that I had a horse to ride and always would take me when they could,” said Marsha. “Growing up you could probably say I had the better of the horses because I was seven years younger and was always on the road.”
Marsha attended Hillcrest High School in Cuba, Kansas and Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas, but because of her father’s passion for rodeo, she ultimately decided to pursue that path. She’s been a member of the NBHA, URA, KPRA, and CPRA, in addition to the WPRA and USTRC, where she barrel races and ropes.
“Let’s put it this way” laughed Marsha. “I have been a member for quite a long time.”
Marsha’s husband, Mike Nelson, daughters Nicki Harris and Stacey Harris Hansen, all love rodeo. It truly is a family affair. Even her 6-year-old granddaughter has started running barrels and goat tying.
One of her biggest accomplishments is winning the CPRA year-end a few years ago and winning the average at the finals this year. She also won the Divisional Tour in Topeka, Kansas, but still has more to do.
“I would love to make it to the circuit finals in the Prairie Circuit,” said Marsha. “I try to practice every day I can, which is pretty much every day.”
In her spare time, it really is all about family and her horses. “I love to spend time with my family,” said Marsha. “The more the merrier.”
Marsha travels from March to October to attend various rodeo events, but to be a successful rodeo contestant, she believes the horses and practice, along with an incredible support system, is what it takes to make it.
“You can be the best, but if you don’t have a horse that you love and family and friends that back you and push you it would be very, very hard,” explained Marsha. “ I love the excitement of the rodeo. You will have the ups and you will have the downs, but for the most part every rodeo or jackpot is my favorite.”
Marsha spends ample time with her horses every day. Her first pony was Rudolph, which was a gift from Santa she got when she was only 4 years old. Today, her favorite horse is Kool Driver, otherwise known as Hans.
“I have learned a lot with him that’s for sure,” said Marsha. “But I have to say, I have had several favorite horses and I am so blessed to be able to of rode them and to be riding them.”
story by Lindsay King Third generation rodeo competitor 13-year-old Libby Berger from Udall, Kansas, has a need for speed. “Barrels or breakaway roping is my […]
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August 9, 2019
Bareback Riding
1 Danny Weil 3015.55
2 Ty Pope 665.36
3 Dakota Procobio 331.82
4 Mike Fred 253.8
5 Colt Eck 167.63
Sadde Bronc Riding
1 Tim Williams 1457.4
2 Luke Rush 735.44
3 Sage Dierks 371
4 Cable Wareham 324.3
5 Bryce Eck 248.16
Bull Riding
1 Cash Toews 2649.83
2 Brylen Dees 1194.97
3 Richard Schleicher 998.75
4 Ivan Gutierrez 916.5
5 Jackson Ward 472.82
6 Luke Mast 161.91
Team Roping Heading
1 Jake McCullough 5416.64
2 Kelton Hill 4240.63
3 Cole Pearson 3761.53
4 Curry Kirchner 2400.83
5 Tyler Hobert 2316.61
6 Nick Becker 2069.97
7 Layne Lagasse 1724.48
8 Cole Remington 1707.04
9 Brett Christensen 1528.41
10 Troy Boone 1526.31
11 Zane Leftwich 1160.9
12 Billy Peters 1091.6
13 Ethan McDowell 812.25
14 Justin Brown 699.12
15 Kass Bittle 630.38
Team Roping Heeling
1 Linden Stueve 4647.14
2 Raylen Stueve 3761.53
3 Jaydon Laubhan 3648.96
4 Dawson McMaster 2069.97
5 Derrick Jantzen 1910.78
6 Taylor Schotte 1724.48
7 Tyler Mahlandt 1709.91
8 Mitch Murray 1707.04
9 Chase Boekhaus 1528.41
10 Tanner Nall 1526.31
11 Toby Mentzer 1369.59
12 Kyle Pontious 1160.9
13 Troy Gaston 769.5
14 Aaron Paul 699.12
15 Shawn Hollenbeck 182.4
Steer Wrestling
1 Brandon Volker 2458.88
2 Tyler Garten 1336.42
3 Ryan Swayze 963.68
4 Hunter Crawford 647.66
5 Scott Schaefer 532.98
6 Riley Westhaver 522.87
7 Joby Allen 485.74
8 Logan Mullin 355.32
9 Kyle Van Doren 155.4
Calf Roping
1 Tyler Garten 1357.38
2 Taylor Donaldson 752.89
3 Joe Macoubrie 718.16
4 Kyle Winslow 689.1
5 Zane Arnold 638.73
6 Jerome Schneeberger 611.82
7 Bryce Loyd 503.72
8 Kelly Wood 446.5
9 Travis Tetrick 384.22
10 Luke Blanton 267.9
11 Kelton Hill 142.02
Barrel Racing
1 Sarah Johnson 1379.28
2 Shauni Leftwich 1178
3 Libby Berger 1053.07
4 Amber Scales 967
5 Toni Shaw 893.55
6 Marsha Nelson 742.83
7 Cheyenne Larson 681.13
8 Jacey Bair 647.96
9 Ashley Forred 616.64
10 Katie Larson 498.31
11 Prairie Rose Robbins 474.7
12 Deb Massey 462.48
13 Britt Widrig 386.82
14 Kim Harland 344.44
15 Melissa Wanger 272.62
All Around
1 Kelton Hill 3158.77
2 Tyler Garten 2693.8
3 Joe Macourbie 1316.26
