RMPRA member Dallin Kemp – John Golom
story by Terry Rhodes
Dallin Kemp started his RMPRA competition while only in his junior year in high school, almost six years ago. The membership has been a boon to him in his rodeo and horse training career, and the source of a lot of good times for him. “It’s a great association and has been awesome for me in my career. I wouldn’t have been able to do the things that I have in my career without the Rocky Mountain association. In all honesty, the level of competition in the RMPRA is as good as you can find. You can expect some of the best in the world to there at RMPRA rodeos. Everyone there is great to work with; it feels like a family. Whenever I have (schedule) conflicts, I can call Tammy McKee and she’ll work to get me in where I need to be. She’s treated me like gold.” His events are team roping and calf roping. “At the Rocky Mountain rodeos I team rope with Otis Grant quite a bit. Calf roping is my favorite; I have always been drawn to it.”
Little did his family know what they started when they gave him a pony for Christmas at the age of 2. “None of my family rodeoed but I never wanted to do anything else. So twenty years later I’m still at.” He had a lot of success as he grew up in the world of rodeo going to the Junior High National Finals three consecutive years, the High School National Finals and the College National Finals. “I’ve been to the RMPRA Finals and you know you’re on the right path when you make those Finals because there are so many good ropers there. You’re roping against your heroes but they’re still willing to help you.”
Dallin attended Utah Valley University on full ride rodeo scholarship where he majored emergency medical services and aviation science. “I wouldn’t have been able to get that scholarship if I hadn’t been able to polish my craft at RMPRA rodeos. I was fortunate to win the Rocky Mountain College Regional Finals and went to the CNFR. I compete in the PRCA and it was the RMPRA that got me ready to compete in those events.”
Dallin, 23,lives in Salem, Utah with his family. “I have a super family. My little brother, Conner, high school rodeos and my dad, Kevin have both been my biggest supporters; I wouldn’t have a rodeo career without them.” He says that his father and brother have been his biggest influences in his personal life. When it comes to rodeo, Dallin names Steve Young and Jesse Loveless as being two individuals that have made significant contributions to his success. “Steve is a header and horse trainer and has taught me about horse training. He has always believed in me, and that means a lot.”
During the week Dallin is busy working horses. “I love to training calf roping horses. Even if I didn’t rodeo, I’d be training calf roping horses. If I’m not on a horse, I’m in the gym or working on my craft. I’m fortunate that I have sponsors like Tagxnyth, Willard Ropes, and Steve Young Ranches.”
