Rodeo Siblings

LINCOLN — Many siblings have competed simultaneously in separate categories during the history of the Lincoln Riding Club Rodeo royalty pageant, but rarely do they wind up escorting each other.

That nearly changed in 2017 with Lil’ Mister candidate Ethan Parker facing the prospect of escorting his sister Emma Parker, a candidate for Lil’ Miss.

Ethan won Lil’ Mister, while Emma, then 4, was among candidates, who had to wait for next year.

Next year is here and Ethan’s reign is nearly over, while Emma is back for another go-round, again competing for the 2018 Lil’ Miss title.

Sorting out winners and runner-ups in pageants may present a dilemma for some, but not a problem among rodeo families. Although circumstances may have siblings occasionally competing against one another there will be no Capt. America civil war in the Parker household.

Ethan and Emma are children of Bryce and Jessie Parker, of Farmington. Since the last Lincoln Rodeo another brother, Mason, has been born into rodeo adding one more personality to the household.

One of the foundations of rodeo is dealing with disappointment by coming back strong in the next go-round, which is what Emma aims to do this year.

This year’s Lil’ Miss and Lil’ Mister contest will start off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, in front of the band stand set up for the street dance on the Lincoln Square. The contest will be followed by the street dance which will be held from 8-11 p.m. The Lincoln Rodeo is Thursday, Aug. 9, through Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Lincoln Riding Club Arena.

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Siblings Emma (left) and Ethan Parker competed for the titles of Lil’ Miss and Lil’ Mister during the 2017 Lincoln Rodeo. Ethan won the Lil’ Mister title while Emma is again competing for Lil’ Miss this year. The 2018 contest starts at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Square prior to the street dance which starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8.