story by Siri Stevens
“Dad put some money in our account five years ago and we’ve managed it from there,” said 16-year-old Nathan. “If the money gets low, we don’t enter the rodeo, and if it’s high then we have some to spend – on ropes and tack and different things like that.” Both boys have a checking and savings account. “It’s all done on my phone,” explained Nathan. “From depositing checks to managing the money. It makes life pretty easy.” Nathan competes in tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, cutting and cow horse. “Calf roping is my favorite, but I like them all. I’ll get to rope with Wesley when he gets into high school next year.” It takes six horses to get Nathan through a high school rodeo, and there are many more on the place.
“It takes a little bit riding them all,” he admits, “between riding the young ones, practice horses and the good horses.” Nathan can’t remember not competing. “I think I have been competing since the day I got home from the hospital; at least since I was three.” He is a sophomore and likes meeting new people and the learning experiences of school. Nathan plans to go to college and wants to rodeo and beyond that, he doesn’t have a plan. “I’ve always liked engineering and diesel mechanics – those are the two things I’d want to study.” He just turned 16 and is excited to have his driver’s license. “It will be super handy to get to rodeos and at some point we’ll have to haul two rigs to get to them with all the horses we are hauling.” He might be ready to take the wheel, but Nathan is quick to add that he still wants his dad around. “I like having dad around – he’s pretty knowledgeable and helps me out quite a bit.”
