Smith Family of Region IV

by Laramie Wedemeyer

Congratulations to the Smith family of Athens, TX for being named this month’s McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family!

The Smith’s may not run an expansive cattle operation or raise crops, but they have a long-established passion for horses and seeing them develop from the breeding stage to being finished working cow horses or competitive horses for their daughters.

Nathan Smith and his wife Jodi have two daughters, Kurtlee and Swayze who compete in Region IV. Kurtlee is a junior in high school and competes in the goat tying, breakaway roping and reined cow horse. Swayze is in eighth grade and competes in the breakaway roping, pole bending and ribbon roping.

Like any operation, family is a massive part of the ranching lifestyle for the Smiths. Nathan’s grandfather had a lot of cattle and grew watermelons when Nathan was a kid. Nathan was able to experience what it meant to work hard growing up, whether he was working cows or riding a tractor baling hay.

Jodi’s family was not a ranching family, but she always had horses growing up and competed in high school rodeos. Over time, her dad began a small breeding program for his kids and grandkids to pick horses from. Little did he know that one nice brood mare about 25 years ago would lay the foundation for his granddaughters to experience a lifetime of raising, training and competing on their horses.

“Our love for horses, agriculture and the outdoors definitely led us to this ranching lifestyle,” explained Jodi. Her and her husband had a desire for their kids to be raised in an agricultural environment without the major influence of technology effecting their lives.

After inheriting some family land, Nathan and Jodi had a place to call home and raise their daughters in a way that was agriculturally based. Nathan’s grandfather owned and leased multiple properties around Athens and the piece of land passed down to Nathan and Jodi was what they always called the “red gate place.”

The stand-alone piece of land was known for its old wooden red gate in a corner of the property. Jodi explained that the nickname stuck with them when they built their home there and if they had to pick a specific name for their ranch, it would probably be called The Red Gate Ranch.

Combining the agriculture background and land from Nathan’s family and the breeding and raising of horses from Jodi’s family, formed a lifestyle they do not take for granted. One of the most important lessons that the Smiths hope to pass down to their daughters is that of an appreciative heart that glorifies God.

Jodi and Nathan hope “that their daughters learn to appreciate what they have been given and be good stewards of what the Lord has blessed them with. Not to take things for granted and to use what God has given them to glorify Him.”

Some of their favorite moments shared together always include horses. Whether it’s going to rodeos, ranch horse shows, working with the young horses, or just working cows on the ranch, their lives pretty much revolve around horses.

The Smiths get to spend time working cattle for neighbors or surrounding ranches that may need some day work done. While their ranching focus is primarily based on horses, cattle are a vital part of their working and training programs. Every horse that stays on their place gets used to work cows. Even the rodeo horses spend more time outside of the arena than in it.

Being able to take a rodeo horse to drag and brand calves gives them better qualities and a better mind, explained Jodi. “The horses are an integral tool in the success of all the cow work we do as a family. Not all of the horses end up in the rodeo or cow horse arena, but they all go to the ranch and get used.”

Kurtlee and Swayze are homeschooled, so they can spend time horseback every day, go work cattle, and compete at different rodeos. They have learned how to have a strong work ethic by helping maintain the ranch and take care of chores when their dad is working shifts at the fire station.

With Nathan working fireman hours, the girls take responsibility for getting everything ready when they need to load up and work cattle. They will have horses fed, caught, saddled and ready to go when their dad gets home from a shift. They make sure the trucks are hooked up and any medicines or other essentials needed are ready to go.

When it comes to the colts, Nathan starts most of them himself and lets his daughters finish them out. Him and Jodi see this as a way to teach their kids perseverance and for them to become better horsemen. Going through highs and lows with young horses can be extremely rewarding when the hard work pays off and they can see the fruits of their labor, Jodi explained.

You can find Kurtlee and Swayze in the middle of the work that is taking place whether it is working cattle or horses and anything else their day may entail. The work doesn’t end outside though, both girls are very diligent about getting their schoolwork done and working on their horse judging skills through 4-H.

Jodi plays such a big part in the success her daughters have in and out of the arena, too. With Nathan’s strict working hours, she is able to haul the girls to the rodeos or keep things running if he is not home. She also fuels their dreams and encourages them to keep after what they are wanting to achieve knowing the hard work they are willing to put in.

It is easy to say that neither girl is afraid to continue learning and growing. They agreed that competing in the Texas High School Rodeo Association has taught them many valuable lessons. “One of the best things is being a part of something bigger, something where we can grow as a person and a competitor,” Kurtlee and Swayze said. “It is a place where we learn to get outside of our box, meet new people and compete against the best of the best.”

The Smith family is extremely honored to be chosen as the Region IV McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family. “It is very humbling and special to know that someone would think that our family should be recognized in the farming and ranching industry,” expressed Jodi.