NCHA News

Frank Merrill Hired as General Manager at Brazos Valley Stallion Station, LP in Stephenville, Texas

Brazos Valley Stallion Station, LP is pleased to announce the addition of Frank Merrill, Poolville, Texas, to its staff of leading performance horse breeding and veterinary professionals. As General Manager, Merrill will oversee the facility, its complete operation, and staff, as well as representing Brazos Valley Stallion Station at numerous performance events and governing policy meetings.

“Frank has been in the industry for many years, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our stallion station,” said Jeremy Barwick, who along with his wife, Candace, Dr. Charlie Buchannan, DVM and Dr. David Ricks, DVM, own Brazos Valley Stallion Station. “Frank’s expertise in breeding, showing, and promoting performance horses dovetails perfectly with his decades of involvement on the policy side of our industry. He is a wonderful asset to our team.”

Frank and his wife, Robin, built and operated Frank Merrill’s Windward Stud, Ltd., for more than 35 years. They managed over 100 stallions, breeding more than 30,000 mares, and represented thousands of worldwide clients.   

American Quarter Horse Association President from 2007-2008, Merrill currently serves on the AQHA Investment Oversight Committee, Board of Directors, Stud Book & Registration Committee along with chairing the Competition Committee of the National Cutting Horse Association.  His service includes many other industry groups including NCHA Foundation Trustee, past NCHA Executive Committee Member, American Society of Equine Appraisers, Heritage Place Board of Directors, United States Equestrian Team Foundation, Rancheros Visitadores and the Board of Directors for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Merrill owns and operates M5 Performance Bloodstock, that provides certified equine appraisal, bloodstock consultation, agency representation, expert testimony, and financial planning. He manages his family’s Dogwood Foundation, a private charity organization.  Merrill’s list of prestigious honors includes membership in the AQHA, NCHA and OQHA Halls of Fame.  AQHA recognized Merrill and wife, Robin, as a 50-Year Accumulative Breeder.  

Married for almost 50 years, Frank and Robin have three children, daughters McKenzie, Megan, and son Tyler, who are heavily involved in the performance horse industry.  “This industry has been a huge part of our lives – for Robin and me, plus our children and their families,” Frank said. “We all love horses and the horse business. It’s our family!  And that is why I’m so delighted – and excited – to now have the opportunity to be part of the team at Brazos Valley Stallion Station. It’s a world class facility with world class horses and people.”

Starting in 2009, Jeremy and Candace Barwick combined their years of showing, breeding and selling elite cutting horses which lead to the addition of Western Bloodstock, the leading performance horse sale company.   Brazos Valley Stallion Station, developed through the combination of their expertise and the addition of respected veterinarians Dr. Charlie Buchanan and Dr. David Ricks is now one of the finest breeding and mare care facilities in the world.  BVSS represents stallions in the cutting, cow horse, rope and barrel horse disciplines including the performance horse industry’s current leading sires. The Brazos Valley Stallion Station team also provides top-notch equine rehabilitation and professional sale fitting services.

For more information, please visit www.brazosvalleystallionstation.com or call 254-485-8280.