story by Michele Toberer
Emma Arndt’s number one goal is to make it to national finals next summer, when the top 4 rodeo athletes in every event will represent Kansas at the National Junior High Finals in Des Moines, Iowa. As an 8th grader, this will be Emma’s third year in the junior high division, and she is determined to make that goal a reality. “I broke my ankle tying goats last year, and it kept me from qualifying; this year, I don’t want anything to get in my way.”
Emma was born into a ranching lifestyle as the eldest of Ryan and Amanda Arndt’s four daughters. Her family raises beef cattle on the same feedlot, Arndt Farms in Emporia, Kansas, that her great-grandpa Clarence Arndt started years ago. She and her sisters, Myah, 10, Chloe, 7, and Claire, 2, enjoy being the fourth generation on the family farm that is now ran by her their dad, grandpa Mike, and great-uncle, Steve Arndt. Although Emma’s parents never rodeoed, they have been very supportive of making rodeo a staple in the schedule for their daughters. Emma competed in some small rodeos as a youngster, but got serious about competition in 6th grade, when she joined KJHSRA. She competes in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, team roping, and ribbon roping. “Mya and Chloe both enjoy competing in rodeo also. Claire is too young to rodeo, but she loves to ride horses with us. We have an arena behind the house, so we spend a lot of time there riding and practicing.”
As an 8th grader at Emporia Middle School, Emma enjoys math and social studies. She is on the cheer and dance team for the Emporia Spartans and enjoys performing at school events. Emma started dancing at just 3 years old when she began tap and ballet lessons. In her free time, Emma likes to sew and draw. “I sew purses and bags and have made blankets and outfits for my sister.” But rodeo is what takes most of her focus and preparing to compete in multiple events takes up much of her time. “I love rodeo because I like doing new things and new events, and rodeo has taught me about being a good person and working hard. Those lessons help me outside of rodeo too.”
Emma rides a 12-year-old bay gelding named Bullseye to compete in heeling and breakaway roping. Her dad rode Bullseye for ranch work from the time he was a colt, and they trained him for rodeo. “He can be stubborn, but he’s really good!” Emma has heeled for Baylee Barker her 7th and now 8th grade seasons, and they are hoping to have a successful team roping season. The past two years Emma has ridden an 18-year-old black gelding named Shy for goat tying and pole bending. “Shy gets lazy sometimes but works well when you wake him up.” She started running barrels on Linus, a 16-year-old sorrel Thoroughbred gelding, this summer. “Missi Henderson is letting me ride him for a couple years, and I really like riding him. My favorite events are barrel racing and goat tying.”
Emma appreciates all the help that her dad, Leah Wilson, and Beau Peterson have given her with her rodeo events. “Leah helps me with barrels and poles, and Beau helps me with goats and breakaway.” She also likes to watch videos of professionals like Lari Dee Guy and Jackie Crawford to get tips.
After high school, Emma would like to college rodeo for Kansas State University and would ultimately like to be a veterinarian. “I’ve been around horses, cattle, and dogs, my whole life and have always loved them, so I’d love to be in a profession where I can help them. For now, Emma will keep enjoying her time in junior rodeo, “I love being in the KJHSRA, the rodeos are always fun to go to and there is always great competition. I really appreciate my parents for hauling me to all the rodeos and always motivating me to do my best.”
