Jacob Elder

NFR World Champion

By Kat Lunn

When Jacob Edler first started competing in rodeos at the age of 14, people Edler first the would rush to the fence to see what kind of mess he was going to get into into

“The first rodeo that I ever competed in, I fell off my horse and into the bucking ever in, fell my bucking chutes; I looked like a complete clown,” said Edler. “Anymore, it seems like a clown,” Edler. people are rushing to the fence to see what I’m going to get done in the arena rushing I’m going get It’s only taken 13 years of my life, but every day is starting to pay off ” It’s

No stranger to hard work, Edler is thankful to have grown up on a large farm hard work, Edler thankful have grown large farm near State Center, Iowa. State

“Living there, you dang sure had to work for your keep I wouldn't have grown up any other way. It really taught me a lot of responsibility and shows you that taught responsibility hard work reaps rewards ” ”

As someone who easily finds work, Edler credits growing up on a farm, someone a attending Northwestern, and the several farmers who he has worked with for several has instilling his knowledge of agriculture. In 2018, Edler graduated from instilling his 2018, Northwestern with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education Northwestern agriculture

“I’m super blessed that I got the opportunity to come to Northwestern and opportunity receive a great education,” said Edler.

Edler's support system support system “It’s difficult to describe how satisfying it is as an educator to witness the describe success your students experience, both in the classroom and in their post post collegiate lives,” Dr. Dean Scarbrough, Chair of Northwestern’s Agriculture Agriculture Department, explained

“Not long before Jacob graduated from Northwestern with his agriculture graduated degree, he stopped by my office one afternoon to talk about some of his future office one talk plans," Dr. Scarbrough added. "As you would expect, making it to the National it the Finals Rodeo was at the top of his list, and he knew exactly what it was going top of list, it going to take to make that dream a reality To see Jacob’s dedication and hard work make dedication pay off in such a big way just a couple of years later is really a testament to the in a big to grit he has woven into his DNA All of us in the Agriculture Department were he has his All of us the Agriculture overjoyed for Jacob when he earned the title of World Champion in December 2020 ” ”

Along with Dr. Scarbrough, Edler recognizes former agriculture instructors with recognizes Steve Sneary and Dr Jim Gilchrist, along with Stockton Graves, his head rodeo Sneary and Gilchrist, along with Stockton his head rodeo coach, for contributing to his success as a Ranger. for his Ranger.

Prior to the National Finals Rodeo in December 2020, Graves coached Edler Finals Rodeo December and his teammate Bridger Anderson in the practice pen every day. Graves had his practice pen every day. Graves qualified for the NFR seven times, so he knew exactly what they needed to do to prepare.

“Graves really changed my attitude and the way I looked at rodeo,” Edler and the said. “Graves is always positive no matter what the situation is. That’s the way you’ve got to be about everything you do in life If you go into it with got be about everything do life If go with a positive attitude, it may not work out the first time, second time, or not out first or even the fifth time If you stay positive, you’re eventually going to be a time stay you’re going be winner and a champion no matter what you do in life And Graves and do showed me that.”

Every cowboy takes a fair share of falls. When Edler broke his leg during fair broke during a college rodeo season, he was forced to go back home to heal Edler to drove a tractor on his family farm to pass the time, which left him plenty farm of time to reflect on his career in rodeo. to reflect

“In hindsight, it was what needed to happen to figure out what I needed to to do differently to change my rodeo career,” Edler explained “Every cloud has a silver lining ” lining.”

NFR World Championship, 2020 NFR

Full of pride, out of breath and with a big smile on his face, Edler pride, launched his hat into the air in celebration Although he had just became in celebration a world champion, Edler wanted the world to understand one thing: one “World, I am going to be a dad!” am going to be a dad!”

Edler and his wife, Mariah, welcomed their daughter, Taylee, in May and in 2021 During an interview with The Gauge podcast earlier this year, Edler During with podcast said, “It was actually my dream to announce that I was having a kid as I was my announce that was a as was getting a gold buckle was

“That really put the cherry on top,” Edler had said. “This winning feels the had winning great, but I can't imagine what being a dad will be like I bet it smashes what bet this feeling right here. I’m so excited for my wife and me to bring a life excited to a into this world ” world ”

Every morning for two weeks following Edler’s win, Edler woke up woke wondering if he was still dreaming wondering if he still dreaming

"

"I was just super happy, and proud of myself for all that I gave " I I gave "

As Edler’s rodeo career progresses, Ranger Rodeo fans will continue to Rodeo fans “rush to the fence” to see what he will accomplish in the arena to what will the

Photo by Azin Ghaffari

Photo by James Phifer