Currently No. 3 in the Resistol Rookie race, Emma Smith is the first person in her family to hit the rodeo scene, and she is doing it solo. 

With $16,519 won on the year, Emma Smith, of Pleasanton, Texas, is setting out to capitalize on her rookie year with one horse and big goals loaded in the trailer. 

The Start 

Smith is a 7th generation cattle rancher from South Texas who is stepping into the rodeo world as the first person in her family to do it. 

“I grew up rodeoing,” said Smith. “I was the first person in my family to do that, so we’re still learning and navigating the whole pro rodeo situation.” 

The now 24-year-old went to Texas A&M to get her undergraduate degree then headed west to West Texas A&M for her master’s degree. 

“Education was really important to my family,” said Smith. “I want to go back and continue my family’s legacy.” 

During her time at A&M she qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo three times out of the Southern Region on her beloved Busby Quarter Horses bred mare One First Class Lady.

The Horses

One First Class Lady was Smith’s good mare, who was a full sibling to Andrea Busby’s horse, Jets Top Gun, knowns as “Benny.” She was the mare Smith college rodeoed, and permit rodeoed on. Unfortunately, she passed away in December. 

“It kind of took the fun out of rodeoing,” said Smith. “It took me a minute to get back on my feet, but I got a new mare, and I have my gelding, “Creed.'” 

Smith had taken the registered Return Of The Mac last summer to some different circuit rodeos up north and out west and had a lot of success in the Wilderness Circuit.  

So that’s where she headed first. 

“Once (One First Class Lady) passed, I was like, ‘Okay, we’re going to go to the Wilderness Circuit because I feel like that’s my best opportunity to do good with my gelding,'” Smith said. 

But Smith hasn’t limited herself to the Mid-West; she has gone clear from Florida to California and everywhere in between to rodeo. 

Beyond competing, Smith has also started building her own breeding program at home. She stands KB El Tigre, by Born Ta Be Famous out of Kay Blandford’s good mare Talents Dark Angel, and has been breeding him to the mares she has had success on—investing in the future of her program the same way she is investing in her rookie year. 

The Rookie Year

Smith has been making her mark everywhere she goes, but one win stands out above the rest so far. At Bay City, Texas, Smith and Creed picked up her first pro rodeo win together. 

“That arena’s really small, and I went in there thinking there’s just no way we’re going to do good,” said Smith. “And we ended up winning it. It was a big confidence booster for me and my horse.” 

For the most part, Smith has been making the hauls solo, loading up and figuring it out on her own as a first-generation rodeo athlete. 

“I’m flying by the seat of my pants if I’m being totally honest,” Smith laughed. “But I do have some great mentors who have been helping me along the way.” 

The Support System 

Even while navigating the pro rodeo world for the first time, Smith has leaned on some big names in the barrel racing industry to help guide her along the way. Danyelle Campbell, who trained Creed, has been a constant resource—helping Smith with her riding and tuning her horse for different setups. Jordon Briggs, who trained One First Class Lady, has also been in Smith’s corner, offering advice on the Wilderness Circuit, how to enter certain rodeos and what to expect from the ground at different stops. 

The Goals

With a strong start to her rookie year and no signs of slowing down, Smith has her eyes set on one thing. 

“I want to rodeo hard and I want to give it my best possible opportunity to do as well as I can,” said Smith. “I would love to win rookie. That is my goal.” 

WPRA Resistol Rookie Standings

As of June 19 2026