Emma Bates

Hi, I’m Emma Bates! Im 29 years old and I live in Leroy, Ohio, a small town near Lake Erie, with my boyfriend and our two dogs. I am the owner of Bates Performance Horses, where I specialize in training and teaching Ranch Riding and All Around events, I also coach a YEDA Team. When I’m not working at my barn or at a horse show, I like to spend my time fishing. I first started fishing as a kid for bass on my Granddad’s pond. As much as I still love to bass fish, most of my fishing is done off of our boat on Lake Erie for walleye. Although Northeast Ohio has a short boating season, winters are spent on the rivers fishing for steelhead. Whether it’s on the lake or the river, nothing compares to being able to get outdoors and to fish with loved ones!

I started wearing Kimes jeans in 2014, after falling in love with the quality of the jeans I quickly expanded my wardrobe with hats, shirts, and sweatshirts. As I would ask questions at horse shows about the products, I couldn’t believe the personable and knowledgeable sales team members. They really made me feel like family! Over the years I have been blessed enough to meet many of the KRJ “family” members, through my involvement at the Quarter Horse Congress and the NFR. They work hard but always know how to have fun. I would love to be able to represent the brand and the family for 2022.

My goals for a 2022 sponsorship would be to make buyers more aware that Kimes is so much more than a brand of jeans! Kimes has such a strong influence in the western world but can also be so versatile, especially outdoors. When I’m on the water, Kimes is always my go to for everything. From hats and tanks to keep the sun off of me while I’m fishing for walleye, to warm fleece pullovers as I’m wading through the cold rivers for steelhead, they have it all. As many hours as I put into my horses and my business I think it’s still important to be able to take time to do things you enjoy, for me that’s fishing. It makes it even more enjoyable when you have cute, stylish, functional, and reliable clothing to go with all of your outdoor activities from the barn to the water!

Instagram: @emmabates92