story by Lindsay King
Reeds, Missouri, native Emma Charleston headed south to Miami, Oklahoma, to continue her rodeo career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College to pursue a degree in agricultural business. Emma’s rodeo career kicked off when she won her first rodeo buckle when she was five years old. “Quincy, my sister, and I started out in junior rodeos. We competed in every event we could growing up but now I mostly focus on barrels and breakaway roping,” said the 19-year-old. The Missouri state champion barrel racer in 2015 went to nationals on her horse Sugar Ray who is still her current barrel mount. “I am especially proud of my horses. We have had our ups and downs.”
Emma competes at both college and amateur rodeos, the ACRA events are usually a short drive away. “I can go to three or more ACRA rodeos in one weekend. The competition is great and I have a lot of friends who also go to them.” ACRA events served as a stepping stone for Emma after aging out of junior rodeos. “High school rodeos were generally too far away. ACRA rodeos were a lot easier to get so I went straight from junior to amateur rodeos as a freshman and sophomore in high school.”
Kevin, her dad, rodeoed when he was younger and has been the most help getting Emma started. “My mom, Trish, is more of the support system since my dad has the background in rodeo. Beth Gwaltney hauled me to barrel races when I was younger. I have had help from a lot of people through the years, teaching me the fine-tuning skills.” Her parents are her role models, both in and outside of rodeo. “They are very hard workers and incredibly supportive. They help me everyday. My dad will rope with me all night if I wanted to. They would drive me anywhere that I need to for a rodeo. I appreciate them more than I can express.”
When Emma graduates this May with her associates degree she will possibly be headed further south to finish her bachelor’s degree and her years of eligibility in NIRA. “My dad owns an insurance agency, that is where I got the idea of pursuing an agricultural business degree. I enjoy the people and the atmosphere of the agency so I hope to work for my dad one day.” Mainly, Emma wants to work to help pay her way down the rodeo road. She aspires to make the college finals this year and the INFR in the next few years, after that the sky is the limit for her. “I have been roping better than running barrels lately. I like having two events so I can get my mind off the other one when I go in the arena for the next run.” Rodeo Miami is her favorite event so far but Ozark draws a big crowd each year.
The family roots for NEO as well as Texas State University. “My sister played softball for the Bobcats so it is definitely our top team. We went down to watch my sister pitch quite a bit.” Emma helps take care of the bulls her dad buys and sells from their home. “We buy, grow and then sell bulls so people can come here instead of a sale to get a bull. We have about 100 bulls and about 50 cows.” Emma played basketball in high school and was heavily involved with her FFA chapter. Now, she spends all her time in rodeo. She will serve NEO as an agricultural ambassador, telling prospective students about her experience with the school and the rodeo team. “I just love to rodeo. I love the people in it, it is just one big family. I probably could have played basketball for someone but all I want to do is rodeo.”
