then he would go to Mississippi , Alabama and all of the East Coast states .
Throughout his time in the rodeo , he has made it to the Great Lake Circuit Finals a few times , made the Indiana Mid-State Rodeo four times , won some US Team Roping Championships and many others .
Barnett is now 33 years old and he still goes and competes in team roping events . He has two children , Emma and Cade Barnett , who are carrying on the family tradition of getting into the rodeo .
“ I have a daughter that ’ s 9 years old , she ’ s a very good barrel racer ,” Barnett said . “ She ’ s competing all over the East Coast … She keeps up with the adults .”
They built their own training facility so Emma can ride and practice at any moment .
All the lessons Barnett learned from his time growing up in rodeo is now being passed down to his children .
He learned all the lessons the hard way and had to figure out and teach himself the skills he needed to compete at a higher level . Barnett also made many contacts during his time in rodeo that his children can use .
“ She got to skip all those steps ,” Barnett said . “ I got to guide her to some of the best people in the business right away so she didn ’ t really have to start at the bottom .”
Whenever she needs extra training or needs someone who may know a little bit more than her dad , Barnett will take her to someone .
Rodeo has been one way for Barnett to bond with his children , especially his daughter .
PAGE NO . 14 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE MAR / APR 24