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About Us

The ownership, management, and staff behind the operation

Ownership

Jeremy and Candace Barwick

Owners

Jeremy and Candace Barwick are owners of Shadow Oak Ranch, LLC; co-owners of Brazos Valley Stallion Station LP; and owners of the premier auction company, Western Bloodstock, Ltd. Jeremy was introduced to cutting as a boy by his grandparents, Mack and Shirley Odom, and began his career as a trainer in 2000. Since that time, he has won more than $1.3 million in limited age event and world championship competition and has been inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame. He won the NCHA Open World Championship aboard Dual Rey Me in 2006, 2007, and 2009, and is one of only three open riders to win back-to-back NCHA World Championships in the 67-year history of the sport.
Candace Barwick, a non-pro competitor with earnings of over $200,000, won the 2005 NCHA Non-Pro Classic Challenge, and was 2008 NCHA Non-Pro Reserve World Champion.
The growth and success of Brazos Valley Stallion Station is a direct result of the passion and attention to excellence in customer service by the Barwicks. They are committed to leading BVSS as it strives toward breeding the future of our performance horse industry.

Dr. Charlie Buchanan, DVM

Partner

Dr. Charlie Buchanan grew up in Navasota, Texas where he started working for his father, Dr. “T-Bone” Buchanan, at the young age of five- he always knew he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become an equine veterinarian. Charlie graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. Upon graduation, he went straight into practice at BVEH in Navasota, Texas, that’s where he developed his passion for equine sports medicine while serving his clients and caring for their horses. In 2006, Charlie left Navasota to develop BVEH’s new branch in Stephenville, which has steadily grown over the years. Charlie’s wife, Shannon, has a popular cake and dessert business. They have two daughters, Camilla, a Senior in highschool who is actively involved in softball, cheerleading and track, and Corinne, a Sophomore in high school who has a passion for art, photography, softball, and cheerleading. In his spare time, Charlie enjoys cooking for his family, cheering on his daughters at sporting events, and bird hunting when he gets the chance.

Dr. David Ricks

Partner

David Ricks, DVM, a Houston native, attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated from veterinary school in 2001. He spent his first two years out of vet school at a large animal clinic in Raleigh, NC, before moving to Whitesboro, TX. In Whitesboro, he worked exclusively as a reproduction veterinarian. After 6 years there, he joined Brazos Valley Equine Hospital in 2009, where he continued his specialization in equine reproduction. In 2012 Brazos Valley Stallion Station was formed and Dr. Ricks has managed reproductive activities at the farm since that date. In his free time, Dr. Ricks enjoys hunting, travel, and when he gets time, utilizing his pilot’s license and going flying.

Management

Frank G. Merrill

General Manager

Frank came to BVSS in July of 2021 to assume the management of its entire operation. With over 50 years of experience in owning and/or operating some of the horse industry’s most noted breeding farms such as Windward Stud, Purcell, Oklahoma; Blane Schavaneveldt Ranch, Hemet, California; Cowan Select Horses, Purcell, Oklahoma and Bob Moore Farms, Norman, Oklahoma. Frank has managed over 150 stallions, breeding more than 35,000 mares, sale prepped thousands of head, while representing thousands of worldwide clients during his career.A former AQHA President, Merrill serves on the AQHA Board of Directors, the Investment Oversight Committee, and the Stud Book & Registration Committee. He is a member of the NCHA Board of Directors, past member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the former Competition Committee.
Merrill owns and operates M5 Performance Bloodstock, which provides certified equine appraisal, bloodstock consultation, agency representation, expert testimony, and financial planning. He manages his family’s Dogwood Foundation, a private charity organization. Frank has been honored by induction into the AQHA, NCHA and OQHA Halls of Fame and has owned and shown two AQHA Hall of Fame horses, Royal Santana and Miss Jim 45.

Andrew Waters

Stallion Manager

Andrew, who hails from New South Wales, Australia, previously worked with the stallions at the famous Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma before becoming Stallion Manager at renowned Bob Moore Farms in Norman, Oklahoma. After spending several years back in Australia at Newgate Farm, Andrew has returned to the US to accept the position as Stallion Manager of BVSS. He is known for the thorough and compassionate understanding, knowledge, and care of the horses in his charge.

Dana Parker

Executive Secretary and Bookkeeper

Dana has worked for the Barwick family for many years, serving as secretary and bookkeeper for first, Shadow Oak Ranch and then on to Brazos Valley Stallion Station where she currently serves as Executive Secretary and Chief Bookkeeper.

Staff

Ashleigh Barwick

Show Barn Manager

Sheila Teague

Processing Lab Manager

Kathleen Hasegawa

Stallion Escrows

Kendra Parker

Arrivals and Departures

Maria Horne

Breeding Logistics Manager

Kevin Vorhes

Barn & Foaling Manager

Merritt McCollum

Processing Lab Assistant

Erin Mantz

Billing/Comms Manager

Lane Wood

Rehab Manager

Gwyn Mitchell

Barn Assistant

Debbie Patterson

Breeder Certificates Manager

Estephanie Zermeno

Breeding Contracts

Megan Moos

Breeding Logistics Assistant

Ashley Reeves

Office Manager

Brooke Carter

Office Assistant

Helen Nowosad

Assistant Stallion Manager

Lisa Szwejbka

Broodmare Manager

Stephanie Croft

Broodmare Assistant Manager

Hailey Obradovich